Expert: Martin Hoover - 3/14/2011

Question
What type of guidelines should the league have in place for running background checks on coaches? Does little league do them?  What's the criteria they use? What if you find a bad apple so to speak, how is it dealt with?  Would really like to know how to handle this to keep our league out of liability issues? if we run across sex offenders, Domestic violence, drug use all put up red flags.  Would like to know how to address this with the board?  We have an issue with two people who want to be a coach but have a lot on there record from presant to a couple of years ago mostly drug and alcohol issues nothing with any kids involved.

Answer
Jerry,

Each league has to conduct background checks in accordance with Little League regulations that can be found in the rule book.  Each league is responsible for making sure their background checks are complete.

Crimes that exclude a volunteer from participating with Little League include (but are not limited to) Aggravated Child Abuse, Child Abuse (2nd Degree), Felony Child Abuse (with injury), 1st Degree Child Molestation, Risk of Injury to Child, Sexual Activity with a Child, Sexual Conduct with Minor, Showing Obscene Material to a Minor.  Basically, a person MUST be excluded from the program if their check reveals a crime involving a minor.

Your league can use LexisNexis to conduct background checks.  They do a national check and will send the results to the League President.  You can contact Little League Baseball for more information on that program.

It is up to the local league to contact the volunteer to let them know that their services are not needed for the league.  You do not have to tell them why, but if they know up front, prior to the league running the check, that any crime committed might result in their removal it will make it easier.

Other crimes and whether or not a volunteer should be removed is up to your Board of Directors.  There are other crimes that the league might want to take into account (such as petty theft, identity theft, manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, etc.).

For more information in regards to what Little League Policy is regarding specific charges, you need to contact your local Little League Regional Center for their opinion on what they would do.

I hope this has helped.

-Martin Hoover