Frequently Asked Questions
Don't see an answer below to your question? Reach out to [email protected].
SPORTS OVERVIEW
What sports are available and for what ages?
Fall sports:
Soccer: Pre-K through 8th grade
Cross Country: 6th through 8th grade
Girls volleyball: 3rd through 8th grade
Winter sports:
Basketball: 1st through 8th grade
Wrestling: K through 8th grade
Spring sports:
Baseball: Pre-K (those entering K in the fall that same calendar year) through 8th grade
Softball: Pre-K (those entering K in the fall that same calendar year) through 8th grade
How much does it cost to participate?
Costs vary by sport, but we try to keep our fees and uniform prices as low as possible. League fees can range between $40.00 and $90.00 per player. Uniform costs typically range from $30.00 to $90.00 per player. New uniforms are NOT required each season, and many kids will reuse uniforms from year to year. We also provide financial aid for qualified candidates (see question below).
What if I don’t live within MRH district boundaries?
Our program is only for those living in the boundaries of the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District.
What if I live in MRH district boundaries but my child does not attend MRH schools?
Your child can play. We have several players who do not attend MRH schools.
Is MRH Youth Sports part of the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District?
No. We are a 501(c)3 volunteer organization run by parents living in the community. Maplewood Richmond Heights School District does not offer sports for children in grades Pre-K through 8th, so that is where we step in.
When do practices begin?
Practices typically begin about one month after registration closes:
Fall sports - mid-August
Winter sports - mid-November
Spring sports - mid-March
Some coaches may begin practices slightly earlier than others, just based on schedules.
When and where are practices?
All practices are held in or around Maplewood and Richmond Heights.
Practice schedules vary based on age, coach and sport. Most sports from 4th grade on up have the option of two practices per week, Monday through Thursday. Some coaches will have two practices; others will have one. Cross country practices three times/week. Baseball/softball will also have batting cage times in addition to regularly scheduled practices.
Coach availability determines the day of the week for practice, as well as the time and frequency. Most practices are one hour. Younger ages generally start practice at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. Older grades often start later (7:00 or 8:00 p.m) with practices lasting 60-90 minutes.
All practices are held within the boundaries of the MRH district.
We know it can be hard for families to determine if they should register because we don’t have exact dates/times/locations for practices, but we hope these general guidelines give you an insight into how we determine practice schedules.
What leagues do MRHYS athletes compete in?
For 2nd-8th grade soccer, all volleyball and all basketball, we compete in the Clayton Youth Sports League through their parks & recreation department. Pre-K through 1st grade soccer is a MRHYS-only league.
For cross country, we compete with other area schools in the MSIL.
The wrestling club participates in local competitions and tournaments held at several area schools.
For baseball and softball, we compete in the Webster Groves Baseball Softball League (WGBSL).
What is GameChanger?
GameChanger is the app all MRHYS teams use for messaging and practice/games scheduling. Your coach will reach out with details on how to use the app when the season begins.
Please RSVP for practices and games in the app - this is critical so coaches know who will be there for practice, to help them set lineups, etc.
What if my athlete is transgender/nonbinary/etc.?
Our mission is to provide an opportunity for all children living in the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District to learn and participate in sports in a safe and supportive environment. Please sign up your athlete for the sport and gender that makes sense.
REGISTRATION
How will I know my athlete has been placed on a team?
You will get an email confirmation immediately after registering.
What does it mean when my athlete is on the waitlist?
Your child is not guaranteed to play. While we do our best to ensure every registered child can find a team, some waitlisted athletes may not end up on a team. Those put on a waitlist are not charged registration fees until after being placed on a team.
How are athletes moved from the waitlist to a team roster?
One of three ways:
A player assigned to a team decides to unregister, opening space for a waitlisted player.
Enough players register to form an additional team and another head coach volunteers to coach that team.
A coach agrees to have more than the recommended number of players on a team.
What happens if my athlete isn’t moved off the waitlist?
Unfortunately, we sometimes cannot offer an additional team for those on the waitlist. We make every effort to have as many athletes as possible competing each season. You will receive a refund for any registration fees.
How are team sizes determined?
Team sizes are determined primarily in two ways: league rules and coach availability. Each league we play in has minimum team sizes, so a team size will first be determined by that. Beyond the minimum team size set by the league, it is also determined by the number of coaches who have volunteered and the number of athletes they feel they can effectively coach.
How do I apply for financial aid?
You will be asked to apply during the registration process.
Can I request my athlete be placed with a certain teammate or coach?
No. We do not take requests for teammates or coaches. If there is a circumstance such as a family member needing to be on the same team for family scheduling, we are happy to try to accommodate those needs. Please email us at [email protected] with that information during the registration period.
What happens if I run into a problem during registration?
Please email [email protected] with any problems during registration.
How are registration fees set?
We set registration fees based on the league costs and our equipment needs.
What happens if I miss registering my athlete during the registration period?
We do not accept late registrations. We are sometimes able to offer spots if other players cancel past the registration deadline, but that is not guaranteed.
When are the registration periods for each sport?
Fall sports - June 15-30 (Pre-K through 1st grade stays open into early September to allow new ECC families to register)
Winter sports - October 1-14
Spring sports - February 1-14
COACHING
How do I volunteer to be a coach?
When you sign up your athlete, you can sign up to be a head coach or assistant coach. We cannot do what we do without our amazing coaches - thank you for considering being a coach!
Who are your coaches?
Our coaches are mostly parents of athletes on the teams. Sometimes we use other MRH community members to fill in coaching gaps.
What resources are available to coaches?
MRHYS provides practice ideas on our website and during coaches meetings at the beginning of each season. Additionally, we provide you with all the equipment you need as well as practice space. Coaches do not need to have played the sport they are coaching. All they need is a positive attitude, some organizational skills and an ability to make most practices and games.
Do you background check your coaches?
Yes. We use Sterling Volunteers to background check all coaches.
Do coaches follow a code of conduct?
Yes. Our coaches follow the league’s Coaches Code of Conduct.
Players and parents also have codes of conduct they are expected to follow:
Players Code of Conduct
Parents Code of Conduct