Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mighty Mites Program?
Who can take part?
How are teams selected?
How much does it cost?
What are equipment requirements?
Is it possible to rent equipment?
Are physical examinations and parental statement required?
Is there any danger of your player getting hurt?
What is required and expected from coaches?
Registration requirements
When and how long are practice sessions?
Game and practice information
How do I determine if games or practices have been cancelled because of weather?
Where can I get additional game information?
Are dogs allowed at Mighty Mites parks?
Do you have a cheer program?
Do you have a scholarship program?
Who owns Mighty Mites?
WHAT IS THE MIGHTY MITES PROGRAM?
The Mighty Mites Program endeavors to provide interested girls and boys with the proper training in the basic fundamentals of football and the opportunity to play with participants of their own age and size. The program strives to teach the participants good sportsmanship and fair play.
WHO CAN TAKE PART?
The Mighty Mites program is for children in grade school, from the first grade through the sixth grade and who will not reach age 13 in 2024. However, in certain situations, a child may not be permitted to play without approval of the Mighty Mites board of directors. This approval shall under no circumstances be given to any child having exceeded the maximum age, whose size, weight, and other factors exceed the average sixth grader in these respects; or to any child younger than a first grader.
HOW ARE TEAMS SELECTED?
Mighty Mites teams are organized based on an election from the respective Park Supervisor. There are two methods: 1) Coach Draft 2) Supervisor Draft. Coaches select their players in the Coach Draft method. Park Supervisors put teams together in the Supervisor Draft method. Contact your Park Supervisor for your specific park.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The Registration Fee for the 2024 Season is $60 which includes the cost of the mouth guard, and jersey rental. Equipment can also be rented for $50 (see below). Fees are due by the first practice night. Players with unpaid fees could be prohibited from playing games until amounts are paid.
We are sure that all parents realize it is impossible to develop and implement a football program such as this without a great deal of expense being incurred, particularly since effort is made to take all steps necessary for the best interest of the participants. The major expenses are (1) cost of Mighty Mites jerseys, (2) equipment and field rental, & (3) game officials.
If it is possible for you to contribute more than the minimum of $60, it will enable the Mighty Mites to sponsor a player who cannot afford to pay for his equipment. We make this appeal for additional contributions because we feel that no player should be prevented from participating in the program because of lack of financial resources. We are sure you agree!
WHAT ARE EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS?
Mouth guard, NOCSAE approved helmet and shoulder pads will be required for the player’s protection and if possible, regulation football pants. Mouth guards and jerseys will be provided by Mighty Mites for distribution to each player at his practice field. Additional mouthpieces are available at an additional charge. Equipment should fit properly to insure adequate protection for each child. Parents should understand that if you rent equipment from Mighty Mites that it will be in proper condition and includes all necessary parts such as helmet jaw pads, forehead pad and liner pad. Parent should also understand that any defacing, altering, modifying, permanently marking or other action resulting in damage to Mighty Mites helmets or shoulder pads WILL result in charges to the parents to repair or replace any such equipment.
Soft-soled sneakers/basketball shoes and molded rubber cleated shoes are allowed to be worn by participants in the Mighty Mites program. Shoes with hard plastic, detachable, or metal cleats are not allowed to be worn. Cleats must not be able to puncture or cut skin. Players who violate this policy will be excused from the program for the season, with no refund of fees paid. See our legal cleats page for further information.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO RENT EQUIPMENT?
The Mighty Mites program has an equipment rental program whereby equipment (shoulder pads & helmets) is available for rent for one season at a cost of $50 (Helmet - $35, Shoulder Pads - $15). The rental program is ideal for any participants who are indecisive about wanting to play the game of football, for they can play without investing a lot of money in new equipment. In addition some families with several players prefer to rent part of the equipment rather than buying several sets. If participants own regulation shoulder pads and/or a helmet that does not fit correctly, they can donate them to our program and in return they can use our correctly fitted shoulder pads and/or helmet for one season at no charge.
All rental equipment owned by Mighty Mites Inc. is to be used at Mighty Mites sanctioned games and practices only.
ARE PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS AND PARENTAL STATEMENT REQUIRED?
You will be furnished, along with your registration form, a health examination form to be completed by a physician and by the parent or guardian. Physical examination, as stated in the instructions on said form, is mandatory before any participant will be permitted to play in a game. A parent/guardian will be asked to certify that their child is physically fit to play Mighty Mites football. The parent/ guardian is required to certify the child has no illness, disease, condition or injury that places the child at medical risk to play Mighty Mites full contact youth football.
The parent should fill out the health examination form, and your physician should complete their portion of the health form. Physical exams by physicians must be performed after January 1, 2024. Players should return the completed signed health form to their field supervisor on or before Thursday, August 29, 2024. All players will be weighed at registration to establish each player’s accurate weight.
WHAT IS REQUIRED AND EXPECTED OF COACHES?
See our coaches page for information for coaches.
IS THERE ANY DANGER OF YOUR PLAYER GETTING HURT?
Yes. Football is a contact game and there is always the possibility of injury. It is important to remember these players are playing under supervision with players of their general age and size, and with proper equipment. Further steps taken toward prevention of athletic injuries are the required use of mouth guard, required physical examination and the review and approval of teams for which a player shall play by the field supervisors (thus eliminating the possibility of recruiting boys to a team). League standing of teams as to their win/loss record are not published nor do we permit any inter-league competition or championship play. Acknowledging that football is very competitive, it is our firm belief that by minimizing inter-team competition will also minimize athletic injuries. Mighty Mites, Inc. does not assume any risk of liability for participants or spectators in the program.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
We encourage all parents and players who have received their registration materials and who know of boys in their neighborhood desiring to play, to advise them to come to one of our parks on the registration dates. In Springfield, the program will be conducted at Betty and Bobby Allison Sports Town.
WHEN AND HOW LONG ARE PRACTICE SESSIONS?
The first practice will be Tuesday, August 27, 2024. You likely will not be called by your coach prior to the first practice session. Please be 15 minutes early to your first practice. The first three weeks of football season will be devoted to practice sessions only, no games. The schedule for the games will be posted online and will also be available to the coaches. Individual fields will set their own practice times of 1 hour and thirty minutes. Please note there is no guarantee of the number of games to be played due to unpredictable weather conditions and condition of playing fields. No more than two nights of games are allowed in any one week.
GAME AND PRACTICE INFORMATION
Mighty Mites Youth Football participants will be required to travel to play some or all their games. Mighty Mites practices are to be held at established times and locations only. No extra or additional practice sessions or meetings are allowed!
Please notify your field supervisor if your coach arranges extra practices or meetings.
HOW DO I DETERMINE IF GAMES OR PRACTICES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED BECAUSE OF WEATHER?
The decision as to whether or not games and practices will be played shall be made by Mighty Mites. You should check our website, contact your coach or field supervisor in this regard. Do not call the Park Board in Springfield. Please check our website for cancellation information or call your coach.
WHERE CAN I GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?
Any of the field supervisors, coaches or members of the Board of Directors of Mighty Mites, Inc. will be happy to explain the program to you in more detail and furnish any information required. You may obtain this information by writing to Mighty Mites, Inc., P.O. Box 1926, Springfield, Mo. 65801-1926, visiting our web site, or by calling 417.894.6195. During the season you may contact any of the above. Do not call the Park Board in Springfield.
ARE DOGS ALLOWED AT MIGHTY MITES PARKS?
Please note that dogs are not allowed in any Mighty Mites Parks, except for trained medical or sight assisted dogs.
DO YOU HAVE A CHEER PROGRAM?
Yes! See here for more info.
DO YOU HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM?
Mighty Mites does not have a scholarship program or policy. If financial assistance is needed, we ask players to consider selling extra candy. Please contact us for more information.
WHO OWNS MIGHTY MITES?
Mighty Mites, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization with a volunteer Board of Directors. Any excees of revenues over expenditures are reinvested back into the program or held in reserve to support the program in future years.