Volunteer Overview & FAQ
Freeport Little League Athletic Association is supported solely through the support of volunteers and is only possible through parent and volunteer support. Little League relies on a devoted legion of adult volunteers to help ensure that the organization remains structured and runs smoothly. We are always looking for responsible and enthusiastic individuals to support our efforts. As a volunteer, you should have a keen interest in children's safety, well-being, and overall development. By reading further, you will discover that the benefits of volunteering are endless. You will also gain a better understanding of why you should become involved, who volunteers are, what you can do, and how you can sign up.
Who Can Volunteer?
Anyone can apply to become a volunteer. Whatever talents or skills you have, we can use them! Volunteers are grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles, retirees, community leaders, former players, friends, neighbors, and more. Any community member who wishes to become a volunteer may apply.
All parents of children involved in FLLAA are strongly encouraged to volunteer. As a parent volunteer, you have the opportunity to spend quality time with your child in a safe, fun-filled environment. Often, parent and child social lives parallel each other. Volunteering allows your life and your child's life to intersect on common ground, with shared interests and goals.
On rare occasions, Little League, through District Administrators and our Board of Directors, may deny individuals the privilege of volunteering for reasons, past or present, that may be detrimental to the positive development of young people, other volunteers, and/or Little League International. When you apply to become a volunteer, you give the local Little League organization the right to conduct necessary background checks.
How Do I Become A Volunteer?
How Do I Become A Volunteer?
All Managers, Coaches, Team Parents, Scorekeepers, and Umpires are required to complete the Volunteer Registration process below.
Go to FLLAA Website (Freeport Little League )
Click REGISTER in the upper right corner if you don’t already have a SportsConnect Account
Fill in the prompts for personal information
Once you have created an account, click VOLUNTEER on the left side menu bar
Then click +VOLUNTEER, select the program you want to volunteer in, select the role you would like (use the left and right arrows to scroll through all available positions)
Our Volunteer Coordinator will reach out to you via email or text with the next steps which will include an Abuse Awareness Training Course and a completed Background Check.
What Can I Volunteer To Do?
No experience is required to become a volunteer. Most of the volunteer opportunities require little or no training. You can volunteer to help in virtually any aspect of Little League Baseball or Softball. We need concessions volunteers, team moms, coaches, umpires, and more. Let us know about your talents/interests, and we'd be happy to find a role for you.
Role of the Parent
The parents of millions of Little Leaguers, combined with their children, league officials, umpires, managers, coaches, and countless volunteer agencies, including sponsors, represent an imposing cross-section of our world. Parents must take the initiative to make the local program successful.
Parents Responsibilities
- Let your child choose to play Little League and quit if they do not enjoy baseball or softball. Encourage participation, but don't pressure.
- Understand what your child wants from participating in Little League and provide a supportive atmosphere for achieving these goals.
- Set limits on your child's participation in baseball or softball. You need to determine when they are physically and emotionally ready to play and ensure safe playing conditions.
- Make sure your child's coach is qualified to guide your child through the Little League experience.
- Keep winning in perspective by remembering Athletes First, Winning Second. Instill this perspective in your child.
- Help your child set realistic goals about their performance, so success is guaranteed.
- Help your child understand the experiences associated with competitive sports so they can learn the valuable lessons sports can teach.
- Discipline your child when they misbehave, break the rules, or are uncooperative or uncontrollable.
MANAGER
A manager is the primary point of contact for each team and is responsible for the team's actions at games and practices. They must possess leadership ability and the know-how to work with young children. It is not enough that candidates for these important roles have previous experience in the game. Managers are interviewed and appointed by the League President, and approved by the Board of Directors.
All managers and coaches are required to complete volunteer registration process and training. The form must include a scanned image of your driver's license.
COACH
The coaches' responsibilities are to assist the managers at games and practices. If the manager is not available, one of the coaches must assume the roles and responsibilities of the manager. Coaches are appointed by the manager and must be approved by the Board of Directors.
All managers and coaches are required to complete volunteer registration process and training. The form must include a scanned image of your driver's license.
UMPIRE
Often an overlooked aspect of the Little League program, umpiring is one of the most important. The volunteer umpire is a part of Little League as the volunteer manager, coach, or concession stand worker. In the past, the brunt of umpiring duties has fallen on the managers and coaches, who already have wild game and practice schedules.
FLL hopes to build up a "pool" of qualified volunteer umpires, as many other communities have, who are regularly willing to umpire Little League games. FLL will provide all required training and equipment. After volunteering for two years, the equipment is yours to keep.
All managers and coaches are required to complete volunteer registration process and training. The form must include a scanned image of your driver's license.
SCOREKEEPER
The home team for each game is responsible for keeping the official scorebook. Each team should have a qualified scorekeeper to perform these duties.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board members are volunteers like everyone else in Freeport Little League. The Board of Directors is elected each year at the General Membership meeting, held in October. New board members are also considered to fill open positions and assist in areas where help is needed.
We are continually searching for dedicated community leaders and volunteers to help our League. Board members typically spend hundreds of hours preparing for and running the Little League season.
The Freeport Little League Athletic Association would not exist or be possible to operate without committed volunteers like yourself.
Our Little League is a very rewarding and worthy cause for your time, energy, and dedication.
Our Board of Directors are required to complete the same training as our volunteers and also have a completed Background Check.
OTHER POSITIONS
Thousands of other volunteers make the Little League season a success each year who are never recognized. Concession stand workers are critical to meeting the yearly budget. The Board of Directors forms many committees to organize opening day or work on fields and facilities. Any General Member may attend board meetings and join these committees. If you are willing to help in any capacity, please let us know.
Thanks to ALL our Volunteers! Freeport Little League is possible due to your support!
Join the team!