For

Background Checks Help Keep Predators Out of Your League

bb-player-running-home

The safety and well-being of all participants in the Little League® program is paramount. The background check laws in your state may require that local Little League® programs complete additional action(s) beyond the requirements set forth by Little League’s Regulation I (c) 8 and 9.

Simply processing background checks on the required volunteers is not enough. It is incumbent upon the League President and the Board of Directors to thoroughly assess the criminal history of each volunteer and make a responsible judgment on behalf of the children and fellow volunteers in the league when making the decision to approve, or deny, their participation in the league.

Regulation 1 (c) 9 requires: A background check must include the review of the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s Centralized Disciplinary Database and Little League’s Ineligible list. Background checks for all volunteers are required to be conducted through JDP, as other providers will not be accepted.

  • Little League Regulation 1 (c) 9 also states: A league shall not permit any person to participate in any manner, whose background check reveals a conviction for, guilty plea, no contest plea, or admission to any crime involving or against a minor. In addition, if an individual listed on either of the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s Centralized Disciplinary Database or the Little League International Ineligible list, they are not permitted to participate in any manner

Leagues should also remember if an individual appears on the National Sex Offender Registry, the league must immediately notify Little League International’s Security Manager, before the individual in question may assume any role with the local league.

Again, it is imperative for a league to review each potential volunteer background check after the check is complete. On the J.D. Palatine (JDP) platform, a red flag would indicate if a potential volunteer has a charge on their background check. During this process, the local league must first determine if this charge prohibits them from participating by Little League Regulation. If not, the league official conducting the background check must present this information to either the League President or local board to determine if this individual is fit to participate in any manner in the league.

Complete information about the background check regulation – I (c) 8 and 9 – including resources for local league volunteers, is available at LittleLeague.org, on the Child Protection Program page.

For assistance, or answers regarding Little League background checks, contact Little League International’s Security Manager.