Being a Little League Parent

As the parent of a Little Leaguer, you are committed to making your child's sports experience as rewarding as possible.  Little League Baseball and Softball offers some tips on participating as a volunteer in your local league, as well as ways you can help develop the concepts of character, courage and loyalty in your Little Leaguer.

The following link at littleleague.org is a great resource for all little league parents: Little League Parent University

Volunteering for Little League

Here is everything you need to know along with the paperwork required to  become a Little League Volunteer

Second-Goal Parents

Just as Little League Double-Goal® Coaches have two goals -- winning, and more importantly, teaching life lessons through baseball and softball -- Little League and Positive Coaching Alliance urge you to be a “Second-Goal” Parent, focused on the “second goal” of helping children take life lessons from baseball and softball.

The Little League/Positive Coaching Alliance partnership helps players learn how to win on and off the field, using a fun, competitive environment to teach lessons in teamwork, discipline, compassion and handling adversity. Players can then apply those lessons in school, jobs and their family lives.

Here are 3 great articles that address "Second-Goal" Parenting:

Establishing a Coach-Parent Partnership

Empowering Conversations With Your Children

Guidelines for Honoring the Game

The Parent Connection Newsletter

Little League® has launched an informative, educational and entertaining newsletter designed specifically for parents and families. We recognize that the more informed and engaged parents are the more successful local leagues become and the more fun kids have. The monthly newsletter will include all sorts of useful information on a variety of subjects, such as:

Baseball/Softball 101 Boundaries Chartering A League Coaches & Volunteers	Fitness & Safety Little League Divisions Operating Procedures Player Waivers	Registration Rules & Regulations Training Tips Tournament Teams

Things Every Little League Parent Should Know

Safety
While studies show that Little League Baseball and Softball is safe, it is important that you are aware of the risks that may occur both on and off the field.   Little League Baseball and Softball, along with Musco Lighting and AIG Insurance, have produced an in-depth league safety program called "A Safety Awareness Program," or "ASAP."  For more information on the ASAP program, click here.

Injury Prevention

• Make sure that all team equipment has been inspected by a Little League official to ensure that it is functioning properly.
• Make sure that children do not climb on fences surrounding the playing fields.
• Check playing fields before games and practices for holes, large rocks or sticks, and anything else that may cause interference for players.
• Make sure that players warm up and stretch before practices and games.
• Make sure that your child drinks plenty of fluids not only while playing, but also throughout the day before practices and games.
• Treat minor injuries with RICE - Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
• Post warning signs in foul ball areas.
• Enforce bike helmet laws if children are riding to/from playing facilities.
• Be sure that you have enough seatbelts for everyone in the vehicle when you are transporting players.
• Watch for signs of heat exhaustion when playing in extreme heat.
• Schedule practices before noon or in the evening to avoid the hottest hours of the day.
• Schedule multiple drink breaks during practices and games.

 

Inclement Weather
Be aware of threatening weather. Practices and games should be stopped immediately at the first sign of lightning and shelter should be sought immediately.

Your child's coach should contact you via phone regarding the postponement or cancellation of games. Occasionally, the umpire is required to call a game prior to its completion. When this occurs, your child's coach will inform you about make-up dates.

Should you encounter a tornado, seek shelter in a nearby permanent building. If not available, head for a low spot such as a ditch or ravine and cover your head. Do not seek shelter in automobiles or attempt to outrun tornadoes in your vehicle.

Stranger Danger
Teach children the dangers of talking to and accepting anything from strangers. This includes someone who may offer to play "catch" with them or to give them a ride home.

Tell children to report any stranger who approaches them. Make sure that at least one adult remains until all children have been picked up from practices and games.

Give your child a code word to use when you have someone else pick him/her up. This way your child will know not to go with a stranger who does not know your code word.

Do not put the names of players on uniforms or openly on equipment. This will prevent strangers from being able to convince children that they know them.

Little League SafeSport®

Cleaning Your Uniform
Most Little League uniforms are made of cotton and polyester. To remove stains caused by grass or dirt, it is important to wash your uniform as soon as possible. Gently rubbing a mix of cool water and a small amount of liquid or powdered detergent directly onto the stained area before washing will help prevent the stain from setting in.

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The Parents Little League Pledge

I will teach all children to play fair and do their best.
I will positively support all managers, coaches and players.
I will respect the decisions of the umpires.
I will praise a good effort despite the outcome of the game.