9 replies to this topic

[Jeremy]

There is a league in my county that posted that kids that didn’t have the ability to pay have been put on a waiting list.
I simply replied with: “That they don’t go on a waiting list, Little League is open to everyone, regardless of talent, ethnicity, gender, or ability to pay.”

Long story short, I’ve been told not to worry about their league.

[Lou Barbieri]

The most important thing is that kids get to play.
Drop a dime and call your Regional Office.
If this is "posted" on the league Website, give the "Link" to the Region

Update: Robin is correct, you should go through your DA first.

[Robin Barradio]

Are you able to report them to your DA?
Seems like that would be the first action up the chain of command.
If the DA doesn't do anything about it, then Lou is right, send it up to Regional.

But.................
Is the league in some sort of financial trouble?
It's possible that they are having financial difficulties (which could be for a variety of reasons) and aren't able to pay their bills.
I get that leagues can't deny kids due to non payment, but the reality is that a league needs a certain amount of money to function.
That's just a fact of running a LL. (Ask me how I know.)

There may be more to the story than you realize.
Maybe get some more information before sicking the dogs on them. JMO.

[Jeremy]

There is more to it, it’s the same league that claims they lost 8K to Jalvlin last year. Plus every league has to spend extra money on bats this year.

They could have just T-shirts this year if it means getting more low income kids out there, there’s no need for nice jerseys....there is always a way to make it so no kid gets excluded.

I feel like it doesn’t matter what LL it is, if I see something that negatively effects kids it’s my business if it’s aginst the rules.

[Lou Barbieri]

You did the right thing by bringing it to the attention of the league first.
If they do nothing/blow it off, the next step should be your DA, then the Region.
That said, don't go looking for problems but if you see one make sure it's worth reporting (in this case it clearly is).

[Robin Barradio]

There is more to it, it’s the same league that claims they lost 8K to Jalvlin last year. Plus every league has to spend extra money on bats this year.

They could have just T-shirts this year if it means getting more low income kids out there, there’s no need for nice jerseys....there is always a way to make it so no kid gets excluded.

I feel like it doesn’t matter what LL it is, if I see something that negatively effects kids it’s my business if it’s aginst the rules.

Sounds like they are having financial problems.
I would alert the DA, and then forget about it.
It's not your league, so you may not be privy to all the challenges they are facing.
It sounds like you are looking for trouble.
I'm sure you have other things to occupy your time.

[Jeremy]

They made a post today about putting the kids that couldn’t pay on a waiting list....All I did was quote the LL rule book word for word, nothing else.

I might not live in their boundaries but I have many life long friends that do.

They called crying to president of the league that I use to be a part of.

[Mike_Hirschman]

Let someone connected know about it and walk away.
Whether that be your DA or a higher level admin that you might know.
Just report it and don't get involved further.

[Lou Barbieri]

Jeremy - you should have included the next sentence:
"No one is turned away."

[rsnyder6]

I think this is different from other issues, (how teams are picked, not electing board member right) in that it directly affects kids by not letting them play. And it weights harder on the less fortunate.

I think District is the right place to go to. Perhaps they can even help. I know our leagues through our district have helped leagues in our district that needed it from time to time. (We have leagues flooded from Sandy and another league that always struggles with money - from a disadvantaged area - that we often were donating equipment etc. to, to try and keep them going.)

"I might not live in their boundaries but I have many life long friends that do."

Folks in the district seem ideal to inquire about the policy. They are not outsiders.

I don't know how typical we are, but we have few scholarships these days. I wonder if it really makes a big difference in the bottom line.