St. Louis Park Little League

This valuable volunteer position requires someone with good organizational and communication skills, a welcoming demeanor, and a willingness to go the extra mile. If you are someone who pays attention to the details, and enjoys working with people, then this role is a good match for you. 

Team Parents receive 12 hours of volunteer time, which fulfills the entire volunteer commitment for the 2010 season.

TEAM PARENT DUTIES FOR THE 2010 SEASON

Good Communication = Happy Parents and Strong Attendance

You will be sending email updates often to families, so having a group list will make this a breeze. Creating communication routines that work for coaches and families will strengthen player attendance at practices and games. For example, sending out a weekly email on Sunday nights reminding parents of what’s ahead in the coming week is great way to help parents be successful. 

Team Parents also bridge information from league and coach communications to families. It is important to pass along information and updates as soon as soon as possible when you receive them. Likewise, you will also become the go-to person on your team for parent questions and concerns. Please contact Bill Gleason at bigleason@gmail.com . The phone number for the league weather hotline is (952) 920-2389. A message about cancellations due to weather will also be posted on the website at www.slplittleleague.com.

Communication with Sponsors

Once you have the game schedule, you will need to make a connection with your team’s sponsor (i.e. State Farm, Miracle Mile, etc.). You may email, call or stop in to make the initial contact. You will be given the contact information for your sponsor at the Team Parent meeting at the beginning of the season. Share with your sponsor the game schedule, photos, or a periodic updates during the summer. Invite your sponsor to attend a game. At the end of the season, you will take a team photo, provided by the league, to the sponsor as a thank you gift for the season. Be creative, our local sponsors are our neighbors and friends in St. Louis Park and SLPLL would not be possible without them. 

Team parents will assist with their team’s photo day appointment. More information about this event will be shared at the team parent meeting at the beginning of the season.

Score Board/Announcing Schedule

Team Parents will create a team schedule to make sure there is one family in the score booth to announce (read players names and numbers as they bat, announce score at the end of the inning, etc.) or to run the scoreboard during every game. Parents will not receive volunteer hours for this responsibility unless otherwise scheduled by league officials on DIBS. This may happen when SLPLL hosts tournaments or other special events. 

Support participation in Little League Events

Team parents will make sure every family on the team is invited and encouraged to attend SLPLL events such as Twins Day at Target Field, marching in the Parktacular Parade, and league-sponsored tournaments. More information about the events will be available at the team parent meeting at the beginning of the season.

www.SLPLittleLeague.com Team Page Updates

The new website allows team parents to easily access team pages and update as needed with rosters, photos, highlights and more. However, you will not have access to the site until mid-late May, as we still have some pieces of the site under construction.

Other Duties As Requested by Coaches

Sometime coaches will need an extra hand with something. Team parents are there to take care of all the other stuff that comes along with managing the team so they can focus on coaching. Coaches may need assistance using an online scheduler to schedule practice fields. They may just need and extra set of hands at practice from time-to time. Coaches working with younger children may need a hand wrangling wiggly players back into the dugout during games. Whatever comes up, team parents help find coaches the help they need. Most parents on your team are very willing to lend a hand, they just need to be asked. 

Creating a Positive, Welcoming Experience for all Families

Other ideas from team parents who’ve made a big difference during past seasons:

Welcome parent requests to add grandparents and other family members to group lists for email communications and schedule updates. Family and friends with access to schedules come to games! Players love to see the stands filled with cheering fans. Our concession stand also benefits from good-size crowds at the fields, which keeps costs down for every one.

Make a poster-sized roster and attach it to the backstop, or hand out individual roster cards at the first game. Every one loves to cheer, but at the beginning of the season everyone is just getting to know each other, it can feel awkward. A roster with every player’s name and number listed helps everyone cheer for every child. Instant team spirit!

The weather gets really hot during the summer. Frozen washcloths, extra water and ice, and spray bottles are just some of the ways team parents help kids beat the heat.

Bring along a few Band-Aids or other first-aid supplies to games.

Keep a sharpie on hand to label player’s hats and other equipment. 

After games and practices, pick up water bottles and other items left behind at the field. Bring them back next time and become an instant hero.

Remind families to leave the bleacher area clean after games and practices. Trash in receptacles and recycle bins.

Ask for help! Team parents help coordinate the fun, but they can’t do it all. Ask other parents for help. 

Frequently Asked Parent Questions

Do team parents create a treat schedule for games?  No. We like to encourage families to visit the concession stand as this is a revenue source for SLPLL.

Do parents who help with coaching receive volunteer hours? Only if they are listed as an “official” coach on the roster. There are three coaches assigned to each team.

Do parents receive volunteer hours for working in the score booth?  No, generally not.  Sometimes scorebooth hours are offered during tournament games and are then added to the DIBS system for families to claim. 

How old do you have to be to work in the concession stand?  Children must be 15 years old to work in the stands.

 I was scheduled in the concession stand until 9:00 last night, but the game ended early. People left and the concession stand closed at 8:45. Will my time be cut back 15 minutes in DIBS?You will still receive credit for the entire shift you claimed in DIBS. In this case, your hours will be credited until 9:00 pm.