Expert: Martin Hoover - 2/17/2011

Question
My 7-year old granddaughter just signed up for the 2011 Little League softball program.  The coach is very knowledgeable, coached his now college-age daughter's traveling team for years, and is now coaching this 7-9 year old team.  Practices are scheduled at a local elementary school, on grass, with no real fields.  Coach has at his home three batting cages, a dirt/clay diamond with pitcher's mound, bases, and he chalks this for practices.  He has water fountains and stadium lights.  He (and the parents) would prefer to have practices there rather than the non-conforming grass field at the school.  He is also willing to allow the other teams to use his facilities if there is a question of his team having an advantage because of the equipment. Is it possible to request the league to allow use of coach's facilities if parents sign liability waivers? What would be the procedure to accomplish this?

Thanks!

Answer
It is up to the Local League Board of Directors to decide what facilities to use during the year.

They would have to insure the property, which they can do through Little League Baseball, Inc.  This insurance will come at a cost (determined by what state you reside in).

I will tell you that this matter has come before our league, and our league has always held firm the belief that the league must schedule the practices and all teams must have equal access to the facility.  Your Board of Directors might have the same request.

I hope this has helped.

-Martin Hoover