Mid-Cities Basketball Association, Inc. (MCBBA) is a non-profit [IRS Section 501(c)(3)] tax-exempt organization of community volunteers. Charitable contributions are tax deductible. We provide a basketball program for first through eighth grade boys and girls in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford area of Texas, the “Mid-Cities.” We compiled this information from our rules, policies and traditions to help players, parents, coaches and officials of MCBBA better understand how the Association functions. We hope you find it helpful.
GENERAL SEASON QUESTIONS
- GAME/PRACTICE DETAILS FOR THE 2023/2024 SEASON
- IS MCBBA COMPETITIVE?
- WHAT IS THE BASKETBALL SIZE & GOAL HEIGHT FOR EACH LEAGUE?
REGISTRATION QUESTIONS
- WHEN AND WHERE CAN I REGISTER MY PLAYER?
- WHAT IS THE REGISTRATION COST FOR EACH LEAGUE?
- WHAT DOES THE REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDE?
- WHAT ARE THE SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS?
- ARE THERE ADDITIONAL FEES THAT I CAN EXPECT?
TEAM INFORMATION
- HOW ARE THE TEAMS FORMED?
- HOW ARE COACHES SELECTED? ARE THEY SCREENED?
- WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A COACH?
- WHAT IF I’M UNHAPPY WITH THE TEAM THAT MY PLAYER IS ON?
- WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE PRACTICES & GAMES HELD?
- HOW CAN PARENTS HELP DURING PRACTICES AND/OR GAMES?
- HOW MUCH PLAYING TIME WILL MY PLAYER GET?
GENERAL SEASON QUESTIONS
GAME/PRACTICE DETAILS FOR THE 2023/2024 SEASON
- PRACTICES – Team practices will begin during the first week of November. Each team practices 2 days per week at HEB ISD Elementary Schools.
- GAMES – Games are played only on Saturdays beginning January 6, 2024 through February 24, 2024.
- END OF SEASON TOURNAMENT (Junior, Major and Senior Leagues Only) – Week of February 25
IS MCBBA COMPETITIVE?
- By definition, basketball is a competitive sport, however, MCBBA is an instructional/developmental league for players of all experience levels to learn and improve their skills. We want children to try their best and compete to the best of their ability. Please take a look at the objective of MCBBA, Article 2.0 of our Bylaws:
MID-CITIES BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION seeks to implant in the youth of these communities ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage and reverence, so they may be finer, stronger, and happier youth who will grow to be good, clean, healthy adults. This objective shall be reached by providing supervised, competitive, athletic games. The supervisors shall bear in mind at all times that the winning of games is secondary. Of prime importance is the molding of future citizens.
WHAT SIZE IS THE BASKETBALL SIZE & GOAL HEIGHT FOR EACH LEAGUE?
| League | Boy Basketball Size | Girl Basketball Size | Goal Height | Free Throw |
| ROOKIE | 28.5” | 28.5” | 8ft | 13ft 6in |
| JUNIOR | 28.5” | 28.5” | 8 ft 6in | 13ft 6in |
| MAJOR | 28.5” | 28.5” | 10ft | 15ft |
| SENIOR | 29.5” | 28.5” | 10ft | 15ft |
REGISTRATION QUESTIONS
WHEN AND WHERE CAN I REGISTER MY PLAYER?
- Online registration for the 2024 MCBBA season will begin September 10, 2023 and go through October 21, 2023.
- 1-Day Onsite Registration will be on Sunday, October 22, at the Bedford Public Library.
WHAT IS THE REGISTRATION COST FOR EACH LEAGUE?
| League | Current School Grade | 2024 Season Cost per Player |
| Rookie | 1st & 2nd Grade | $110 |
| Junior | 3rd & 4th Grade | $130 |
| Major | 5th & 6th Grade | $130 |
| Senior | 7th & 8th Grade | $130 |
*Cost Difference Explanation- Rookie leagues don’t have tournament games and only use one referee; whereas older leagues have a postseason tournament and use two referees.
WHAT DOES THE REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDE?
- The fee covers numerous expenses. These include a reversible uniform jersey, an 8×10 team photo, gym rental, referees, insurance, equipment needed to conduct games (first aid kits, basketballs, special “drop-down” goals for younger children, custom scoresheets), awards, a commemorative t-shirt for every player, coach certifications, administration, and supplies.
WHAT ARE THE SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS?
- With scholarship approval, the registration fee will be reduced to $65 for all league levels.
- Applicants must participate in their school’s subsidized lunch program and present their free or reduced price meal letter from their school district. No other documentation is acceptable.
- A limited number of scholarships are available each season, and they’re awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Scholarships are not available for players who are home-schooled.
- CLICK HERE for the most updated information about scholarships.
ARE THERE ADDITIONAL FEES THAT I CAN EXPECT?
- Each player should have gym shoes, shorts, a basketball (for practices) and a water bottle (for games).
- We urge coaches to not require purchase of matching accessories such as shorts, warm-ups and fancy uniform lettering.
- Most teams pass around the job of bringing post-game refreshments (drink, snack) to each player’s family.
Please note: After Saturday, October 28, 2023, we are not able to issue refunds due to the team’s practice location, practice days, or if a player did not get placed on the team with one of their friends.
TEAM INFORMATION
HOW ARE THE TEAMS FORMED?
- Separate leagues are formed for boys and girls, and our objective is to have 8-10 players per team.
- As much as possible, players are grouped with others that attend the same school yet have a variety of experience levels.
- What considerations are taken when teams are formed:
- Players that go to the same school & same grade
- Protected players that the Coach selects
- Registered players that live in the same home
- What considerations are not taken when teams are formed:
- Carpooling
- Convenience of practice location
- Friends wanting to play together, but do not go to the same school
- Pre-formed teams are not allowed.
- If there are enough players to form additional teams, but no head coach, then those additional teams are drawn at the same time and we recruit a coach among player families and volunteers of the organization.
HOW ARE COACHES SELECTED? ARE THEY SCREENED?
- All of our coaches are unpaid volunteers, and most are parents of players.
- We have several coaches that come back to volunteer because they enjoy the fun and once played for MCBBA.
- All coaches (head and assistant), officers, directors, and commissioners will submit an application as well as a release for an annual criminal background check reviewed by a screening committee before the season starts.
- All coaches must complete a NAYS (National Alliance for Youth Sports) basketball certification paid for by MCBBA. Additionally, coaches must attend supplemental sessions on conducting practices and game rules.
- Prospective coaches should review our Background Check Policy.
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A COACH?
The Head Coach makes all of the primary decisions for the team. These decisions include:
- Designation of all protected players (two maximum allowed)
- Team information including team name & choosing the day(s) & location for practices
- Head Coach oversees the players for each practice and game on their designated team
WHAT IF I’M UNHAPPY WITH THE TEAM THAT MY PLAYER IS ON?
- Unfortunately, this happens from time to time. Here are a couple steps to take for resolution:
- We encourage players, parents and coaches to talk and attempt to resolve or compromise regarding any differences that are happening.
- Speak to a commissioner during your scheduled game day
- Email interest@mcbba.org explaining your challenge and request a time to speak to a member of the MCBBA Executive Board of Directors.
- While this is not guaranteed, If the conflict is regarding a practice time and/or location and a coach is able to accommodate a change that’s acceptable with the whole team, we will make every effort to assist with this request.
- Players are not allowed to be ‘traded’ to another team.
- At registration, if you would like to make a ‘block request’ so your player isn’t placed on a team with a specific coach, there is a process to designate this information for up to two teams and/or coaches that a player wishes to “block”.
- MCBBA will closely review the behavior and teaching technique of any coach blocked by three or more players..
MORE DETAILS ABOUT WHEN/WHERE ARE THE PRACTICES & GAMES HELD?
PRACTICES –
| How are the practice locations and times selected? | The head coach will decide when and where their team will practice after an approved background screening. Practice days, times and sites are assigned based on coach’s preference on a first come, first served basis. Confirmed practice assignments as well as the contracts that need to be signed between the school principal and the coach are distributed at the initial mandatory coach’s meetings. During this time, your coach will sign a contract with the HEB ISD agreeing there shall be no food, drinks, gum, as well as siblings and friends who are unattended in the school’s gym during practice. Parents are welcome to attend practices. Unless a designated adult is helping at the request of the coach, only registered players and coaches may be on the gym floor, before, during and after practice. |
| How often are practices held during the season? | Practices for each team are held two nights per week at HEB ISD elementary schools. |
| When do practices start? | Team practices will begin during the first week of November. Each team practices 2 days per week at HEB ISD Elementary Schools. |
| Are there practice restrictions? | Teams are prohibited from practicing during HEB ISD’s designated holidays as well as Saturdays or Sundays. If the schools are closed during the week (e.g. MLK Holiday and President’s day), or a gym is closed for a school event, a make-up is not guaranteed, but we will do our best to assist the head coach to reschedule another time and location, if needed |
GAMES –
| When do games start for the season? | Games are played only on Saturdays beginning January 6, 2024 through February 24, 2024. |
| Where are the games held? | Games for each team are played at one of HEB ISD junior high schools. |
| What days are the games played? | All regular season games are scheduled on Saturdays. District & school events are first priority for the locations that we play at. If a district event is scheduled, we have to schedule accordingly. Often this results in games starting later in the afternoon and sometimes not concluding until as late as 9:30 PM. |
| When do games end for the season? | The last regular season game will be on Saturday, February 24. Junior, Major and Senior League teams will begin their End of Season Tournament during the week of Sunday, February 25. |
| Are there additional expectations on game day? | Please leave basketballs at home during game days. For your safety and the protection of school property, no person may be in possession of a basketball inside an HEB ISD school on game day, at any time or in any place, except during authorized activity on the gym floor. |
HOW CAN PARENTS HELP DURING PRACTICES AND/OR GAMES?
Thanks for asking! Help is always welcome!
- At practices, parents, friends and fans can help with:
- You can crank goals up/down
- Dry mop the gym floor
- On game days, parents, friends and fans can help with:
- Being a clock or scorekeeper for your team.
- Drag the gym floor with wet towels on a wide board before your team’s game.
HOW MUCH PLAYING TIME WILL MY PLAYER GET?
- Every player will play at 12 minutes each game according to a substitution plan determined by the coach.
- Coaches are encouraged to fairly distribute playing time to all their players and is determined by factors such as if the player attends practices and behaves properly.
- Parents with questions or concerns about playing time should discuss concerns with the coach and, if necessary, with a commissioner.
Interested in being a Coach? We’d love to have you!
The Coach, Asst. Coach and Volunteer application will be available with the 2024 MCBBA online registration begins in the fall of 2023.