Expert: Martin Hoover - 5/8/2007

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?  Thank you League president kevin stanton Altoona, WI

Answer
Kevin,

Little League Baseball has a page at their website dedicated to background checks, you can access it by going to:

http://littleleague.org/common/childprotect/states.asp

To quickly answer some of your other questions:

Yes, your league is responsible for conducting the background check, and making sure a volunteer application is filled out and submitted to the league.

If you find a "bad apple", it is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to immediately remove such person from all league activities.  Little League requires leagues to remove individuals who have committed crimes against a minor, or crimes involving a minor.  Local leagues may also add other criteria in conducting background checks.

For more information on background checks, contact the Central Regional Headquarters, which your state falls under:


Little League Central Region Headquarters
Mike Legge, Central Regional Director
9802 E. Little League Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46235
Phone: 317-897-6127
Fax: 317-897-6158
E-mail: centralregion@littleleague.org


Should you have any other questions, please feel free to write.

-Martin Hoover