As you gear up for next season, here are some important items to make sure your league attends to. All volunteers are encouraged to continue to check LittleLeague.org/ResourceGuide for the latest information and guidance for the upcoming season and take advantage of the free training opportunities at LittleLeague.org/Training.
1. Evaluate your previous season
What baseball, softball, and/or Challenger Division opportunities were you able to provide? How many players will be returning to your league this season? Were there things that families enjoyed, like playing Little League through the summer months, Little League Sandlot Fun Days, and other activities that can be incorporated into your upcoming season?
We suggest surveying your parents and including some questions specific to how your league evolved during your last season.
2. Schedule and complete the annual meeting and election with general membership
An Annual Meeting of the Members is required to take place each year according to the local league’s constitution. The local league’s constitution outlines when the annual meeting will take place and what is required of the annual meeting, which typically includes the election of your league’s Board of Directors for the upcoming season. Adapting these meetings as leagues prepare for the upcoming Little League season will be important to set you and your fellow volunteers up for success next year. Learn more about how to hold your annual meeting for this upcoming season.
3. Update new board information on the Little League Data Center
It’s important to have the correct contact information for your league’s leadership within the Data Center to ensure volunteers have all the information and access needed for the upcoming season. If there are not changes to your board for the upcoming season, please confirm your officers are current in the Data Center.
4. Complete your chartering and insurance enrollment
The chartering and insurance enrollment process for the upcoming season is available through the Little League Data Center. Please continue to visit LittleLeague.org/ResourceGuide for the latest information and guidance for this season. If you have additional questions or need support, please submit your question to Little League Support or contact your District Administrator and/or Region staff.
5. Fully review the current financial status of the league and develop an operating budget for the upcoming season
As part of the end of the fiscal year, your league should have conducted its annual audit and fully reviewed its finances. Little League has created a budget template that details common sources of revenue and expenses to consider when creating a budget. Some things to keep in mind when developing your budget are any changes required by municipalities or school districts that will require a financial commitment to reserve any facilities you may utilize.
Little League has also created a Grant Resources page (LittleLeague.org/GrantResources) to assist leagues with information on national, state, and local grant opportunities, as well as Little League-specific programs through our national partners.
6. Begin to build the framework of your season
As you begin to sketch out our league’s playing plans for the upcoming season, some things to keep in mind are to:
- Confirm field and facility availability to help determine the start date for player evaluations, practices, and games.
- Review with District Staff interleague and combined team plans for the upcoming season.
- Identify any additional opportunities, such as the T-Mobile Little League Home Run Derby, your league may want to take advantage of.
- Take advantage of the various resources made available through Little League Official Sponsors by visiting LittleLeague.org/OnDeck.
7. Determine player eligibility and understand changes to Regulation II
Providing players the opportunity to participate in the local league where the school they attend is physically located has allowed children to enjoy the Little League® experience with their friends and classmates. This school year provides many challenges in education that impact how families can identify the appropriate league based on school attendance and provide the approved verification to establish a player’s eligibility based on school attendance. Learn more about establishing player eligibility.
As a reminder, starting in 2025, children at the youngest levels of the Little League® Baseball and Softball program (League Age 4-7) throughout the United States will have the ability to register and play for any local Little League program they choose, without respect to any geography- or school-related eligibility requirements. Learn more and understand these impacts to Regulation II, as well as Central Registration, at LittleLeague.org/2025Registration.
Little League International hopes that all children are able to have a Little League experience. Leagues and families are encouraged to work with their District Administrator and appropriate Region Office on their specific circumstances.
8. Ensure volunteers complete background checks and required training
The safety and well-being of all participants is of the utmost importance, so it is critical that leagues ensure all their volunteers complete their required annual background checks at Abuse Awareness Training. Learn more about these requirements, as well as the entire Little League Child Protection Program, by visiting LittleLeague.org/ChildProtectionProgram.
9. Contact your Region Office to discuss player eligibility and to discuss other unique family situations that may require a waiver prior to the start of play.
Leagues are encouraged to contact their appropriate Region Office to confirm the existing waivers on file for players in their league and review any other circumstances that Little League staff can help navigate the appropriate process to encourage participation.
10. Complete an ASAP Safety Plan
The A Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) Safety Plan will be available starting December 1 through the Little League Data Center. The ASAP Safety Plan helps outline your league’s efforts to providing a healthy experience that focuses on the wellbeing of all players, volunteers, and fans. Be on the lookout for important incentives as part of your ASAP Plan submission and learn more by visiting LittleLeague.org/ASAP.
While this checklist is meant to be a helpful tool to get things started for the upcoming season, be sure to take advantage of the full resources available in the Prepare section of the Resource Guide as well as the free Prepare Training Course.