How things work
The rules you signed.
Straight from the Coach Agreement and Code of Conduct. Anything marked no discretion is exactly that, so when you are unsure, that is your answer.
10U and under
11 full-fee
Full player fees only. Discounted players do not count toward the minimum.
11U through 13U
12 full-fee
Full player fees only. Discounted players do not count toward the minimum.
14U and up
14 full-fee
Full player fees only. Discounted players do not count toward the minimum.
MoneyGetting paidYou are paid only after your MySportsDriver profile is complete, including tax information and ACH direct deposit details. No completed profile means no payment can be issued.No discretion
MoneyGetting paidYou receive one form of compensation, never both. Either you take coach pay, or your child on the team plays free.No discretion
MoneyGetting paidPay starts when your team's season starts. Spring pay begins in April. Summer pay begins in June.
MoneyGetting paidKeeping your MySportsDriver information current is your responsibility, not the office's.
MoneyTournaments and budgetThe organization registers and pays for every tournament centrally to get preferred pricing. Coaches never register or pay directly.No discretion
MoneyTournaments and budgetSubmit your requested schedule by the date your Area Director sets. A submitted schedule is a request, not a confirmation.
MoneyTournaments and budgetThe organization covers tournament entry costs only. Gate fees are not covered.
MoneyTournaments and budgetSubmitting tournament rosters when they become available is the coach's job.
MoneyTournaments and budgetStay inside your team budget. Going over means either you owe the difference or the schedule gets rebuilt to bring it back in line.No discretion
MoneyPricing and scholarshipsPricing is confidential. Never discuss what any family is paying, including discounts, with another family.No discretion
MoneyPricing and scholarshipsOnly Michael Rubenstein or Greg Fettes approves a scholarship. Bring the organization in the moment one is being considered.No discretion
MoneyPricing and scholarshipsA scholarship a coach grants without organizational consent is null and void.No discretion
MoneyPricing and scholarshipsNever offer alternate pricing to a family or player without prior approval from your Area Director or the General Manager.No discretion
MoneyFinancial controlsNever collect player fees directly.No discretion
MoneyFinancial controlsNever enter a financial agreement on behalf of USA Prime Michigan.No discretion
MoneyFinancial controlsNever sign a contract, reserve a facility, or commit organizational funds without approval.No discretion
MoneyFundraisingTeam-level fundraising is allowed, but it is entirely yours to organize, run and manage.
MoneyFundraisingThe organization will not hold or manage fundraiser funds, produce fundraiser graphics, or promote a team fundraiser on your behalf.
RosterRosterFilling the roster comes first. Tournament registration does not begin until the roster is full.No discretion
RosterRosterRoster minimums count full-fee players only. A player on a discount does not count toward the minimum.No discretion
RosterRosterCarry your age group plus one where you can. Fifteen players at 14U covers absences, injuries and lineup gaps across a season.
RosterPlayer movementNever recruit a player from another USA Prime Michigan team without organizational approval, and never encourage a player to leave another Prime team.No discretion
RosterPlayer movementEvery player movement conversation includes the Area Director and the General Manager.
RosterPlayer movementFor twelve months after leaving USA Prime Michigan you may not solicit players, families or staff away from the organization, or use organizational contact lists for outside business.No discretion
SafetyCredentialsKeep SafeSport training, a background check and USA Baseball coach certification current at all times. This is the coach's responsibility.No discretion
SafetyCredentialsUSA Baseball coach certification must be completed no later than your first practice.No discretion
SafetyCredentialsIf any certification or background check lapses you are immediately suspended from all coaching activity until it is renewed.No discretion
SafetyCredentialsComplete SafeSport and pass the background check before working with players at all.No discretion
SafetyPlayer safetyAvoid one-on-one situations with a player. Keep every interaction observable and interruptible.No discretion
SafetyPlayer safetyCommunicate with players only through team-wide or parent-included channels. Never privately message a minor.No discretion
SafetyPlayer safetyReport any concern, allegation or incident involving player safety to your Area Director or the General Manager immediately.No discretion
SafetyMandatory reportingReport these to your Area Director or the General Manager as soon as possible: injuries requiring medical attention, ejections or suspensions, player misconduct, incidents involving parents, facility incidents or damage, and anything that could create liability for the organization.No discretion
SafetyTravelCoaches never share a hotel room with a player.No discretion
SafetyTravelMaintain supervision standards throughout travel and follow SafeSport travel guidelines.
SafetyConduct around playersNo alcohol around players, and never appear at a game or practice intoxicated.No discretion
SafetyConduct around playersNo marijuana and no drugs at any point around players.No discretion
CommunicationChain of communicationEvery question goes to your Area Director first. Rosters, tournaments, budget, anything at all.No discretion
CommunicationTeam communicationOver-communicate. Most team frustration comes from families being left guessing, so when in doubt send the message.
CommunicationTeam communicationShare schedules, locations, times and expectations as early as you can.
CommunicationTeam communicationPass on any change to weather, time or location the moment you know, rather than waiting for certainty.
CommunicationTeam communicationRespond to families within 24 hours.
CommunicationTeam communicationUse approved group platforms such as LeagueApps wherever possible.
CommunicationParent conflictA 24-hour cooling-off period applies after games. Concerns are not raised in the heat of the moment.No discretion
CommunicationParent conflictParents do not approach coaches during or immediately after a game about playing time.
CommunicationParent conflictRespond to a parent concern within 24 to 48 hours, and escalate anything unresolved through your Area Director.
CommunicationSocial mediaNever post negative comments about players, parents, coaches, umpires, opponents, facilities or USA Prime Michigan.No discretion
CommunicationSocial mediaDo not state official organizational positions publicly. Direct any media or press enquiry to your Area Director or the General Manager.
CommunicationSocial mediaAny account using USA Prime branding follows organizational standards.
CommunicationSocial mediaPlayer photos and video are used professionally and only with appropriate parental consent.No discretion
ConductAttendanceAttend all scheduled practices, games, meetings and organizational events, plus development days.
ConductAttendanceTell your Area Director about any absence in advance and arrange qualified coverage.
ConductPlaying timePlaying time is earned, not guaranteed. Decisions rest on development, effort, attendance, attitude and team needs.
ConductPlaying timeTournament and championship play may produce different playing time distributions.
ConductPlayer developmentDevelopment comes ahead of wins and losses. Support the organization's testing, training and education programs.
ConductBrand and apparelWear only USA Prime apparel while running practice at our facilities.
ConductBrand and apparelNever wear USA Prime apparel at a restaurant or anywhere else you are drinking on a tournament trip.No discretion
ConductBrand and apparelOrder all uniforms and apparel through the organization's vendors. Do not source your own.
PropertyEquipment and facilitiesLeave every facility, field and dugout cleaner than you found it, and return equipment to its designated place.
PropertyEquipment and facilitiesYou supervise players whenever they are using organizational facilities.
PropertyEquipment and facilitiesYou are accountable for team-issued equipment and return it in good condition at season end.
PropertyEquipment and facilitiesReport damaged, lost or missing equipment and any facility damage immediately. Loss through negligence may become your reimbursement responsibility.
PropertyOrganizational propertyLeagueApps, MySportsDriver, email lists, registrations, logos, graphics and player data are USA Prime Michigan property. Access ends on separation.No discretion
PropertyOrganizational propertyAll logos, branding, graphics, documents, training materials and systems developed by USA Prime Michigan stay the exclusive property of the organization.
ConductZero toleranceThe organization operates a zero tolerance policy. Violations may result in immediate removal from the coaching position.No discretion
ConductZero toleranceUSA Prime Michigan may suspend or remove a coach immediately pending investigation. The organization's determination is final.No discretion
ConductTermThe agreement runs from signing through July 31, 2027. The coaching role is at-will and the organization may end it at any time.
RosterRosters and registrationA player counts when they are paid and registered. Verbals are not players.No discretion
RosterRosters and registrationNobody registers for a single tournament until the roster is filled. We do not enter teams that might not happen.No discretion
RosterRosters and registrationWhen a family says they are in, send the name, contact info and the specific date you expect the $500 deposit. That date triggers an invoice reminder that morning with a payment link.No discretion
RosterRosters and registrationPost position needs and released players in the group chat. A released player should land on another Prime team, not leave the organization.
CommunicationChain of communicationText your director anytime. If there is no answer within a day, or it cannot wait, call Michael Rubenstein.No discretion
MoneyPricing and scholarships100% of every sponsorship dollar goes to the player or team, with no admin cut.
MoneyPricing and scholarshipsA legitimate fee hardship goes to your director for a case-by-case conversation. Do not handle it alone, and do not hand out free player fees.No discretion
RosterRosters and registrationLeagueApps is the count. A player counts when the $500 deposit is paid, plus processing. Verbals are not players.No discretion
RosterRosters and registrationThe deposit is $500 plus a processing fee. That extra charge on the receipt is the processing fee.
RosterRosters and registrationBeing at your minimum is the floor, not the finish line. Carry your age group plus one, so a 16U carries 17 and a 12U carries 13.
RosterRosters and registrationYou still load your own rosters. The organization pays entry fees in lump sums to the big hosts, but loading your roster into PBR, PG or whoever is hosting, subs included, stays with you.No discretion
CommunicationTeam communicationKeep families posted on where the roster stands while you are still building. Committed families and prospects both need to hear from you. No communication is never good, and it is how you lose players you already had.No discretion
CommunicationTeam communicationPost in the group chat when you need one more player or a specific position. A graphic goes out the next day.
RosterRecruiting your own rosterAsk your own players what you still need. They know who is good and who is looking, and they will bring you their friends.
RosterRecruiting your own rosterWork the buddy system in reverse. You lose players every year to wanting to play with a friend, so bring the friend here instead.
RosterRecruiting your own rosterAsk families their intentions early and directly. Knowing in July who is leaving is what lets you replace them in July.
RosterRecruiting your own rosterWhen a family hesitates, ask what would make it work for them. Cost, playing time, or the roster looking small — get the real reason out so a director can help close it. Do not let a no walk away unexplained.No discretion
MoneyPricing and scholarshipsFinder's credit, new this year: a family that refers a player who joins at full player fee gets a credit off their own total. It does not have to be your team or even your location.
MoneyPricing and scholarshipsSend anyone interested in sponsoring straight to Michael Rubenstein.No discretion