MIDGET ELITE LEAGUE * QUESTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS

This document is intended to clarify information regarding the fledgling Midget Elite League and to sort
facts from fiction regarding the upcoming programs. With limited information available now, families
are urged to ask critical questions and make informed decisions.
1. Its an OBA sanctioned league Yes, but it is not a representative provincial league. Three of
the four associations (TBA , YSBA and COBA) are from greater Toronto. Hamilton is the fourth.
Four other OBA associations involved in the initial discussions have withdrawn.
2. Teams will run high performance programs A definition of this is vague. The league is
open to any teams within the four associations, but no standards are used as a guideline to
admittance into the league. Parents should ask how instruction or off-season training is any
different from current AAA minor midget and midget programs. Ask about costs and the return
on investment. Parents can expect current player fees to double and probably triple.
3. Highest caliber coaching/instruction anywhere Not true. PBLO teams currently have the
best coaching in the province. Some MEL teams could simply replicate their AAA programs with
existing staff but at higher costs. Parents should demand information about the entire coaching
staff - their roles and credentials, their experience and NCAA connections.
4. Tournaments in the U.S. This is neither new nor elite. Tournaments at all levels are always
open and available to all teams in Ontario. Many U.S. showcase tournaments (such as New Era)
are already open to midget teams and players in Ontario.
5. Compete against the highest OBA sanctioned teams in Ont. Not true. MEL teams will
NOT play OBA-sanctioned teams in the PBLO (where a majority of top quality minor midget and
midget players will continue to play ball). As members of the OBA, the MEL is also not permitted
to play against the non-sanctioned private or rogue teams.
6. Marketing assistance for US college/university baseball The league has no collective
marketing plans whatsoever in place now. Searching for and selecting a U.S. school can be
complicated and overwhelming. But families should be wary of and demand clarification about
marketing claims. Videos and tournaments do not in themselves open doors to the U.S.
7. Offer Showcases Effective midget showcases involve extensive coordination and contacts. As
a league, MEL has not established any process or agreement on how - or even if - it will offer
league-wide showcases to its players. With no full management structure in place now, the
league would leave it to individual teams to organize. Families should question these claims.
Recruiting schools dont have the time or manpower to attend a series of individual sessions.
Ask what schools will be attending and what it will cost. Again, showcases in Ontario and
showcase tournaments in the U.S. are open to everyone.
8. Releases are guaranteed Yes, they are. But teams cannot use MEL tryouts to recruit for
existing minor midget or midget rep teams, nor can they discuss the MEL with any parent or
player under Bantam age. Such discussions will be considered tampering under current OBA
rules. Parents are encouraged to report any violations to their head coach or the president of
the TBA.