As we continue to work through the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, and do our part to return to normalcy, we wanted to share a number of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help your league, district, and community. If there is a question that you don’t see below, and would like some guidance, please contact Little League Support.
First and foremost, we recommend that all individuals should measure their body temperature to ensure that no fever is present prior to participating or attending each Little League activity. Anyone with symptoms of fever, cough, or worsening respiratory symptoms, or any known exposure to a person with COVID-19 should not attend any Little League activity until cleared by a medical professional (CDC: Resource: If You Are Sick or Caring for Someone | PDF Download).
While Little League International is currently reviewing a number of testing options, we do not have an official endorsement at this time. Our background check provider, JDP, has launched COVID testing, which is available to Little League families at a discounted rate. You can learn more about JDP’s offer at LittleLeague.org/JDP.
We would also encourage you to review the CDC’s guidance on COVID testing, as well as the guidance from your local and state department of health.
A draft letter to Sens. Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer, circulated by the National Council of Youth Sports, appeals for federal funding to assist youth sports programs. You can read more on this from the Aspen Institute’s Project Play.
Little League International has signed onto this letter and is interested in supporting a bill that provides funding relief for community-based youth sports programs only. We do not support providing relief to event organizers, or those youth sports operators that exist solely for commercial purposes. However, we would support a relief effort for local, volunteer-led teams/organizations that would benefit our local Little League programs in the United States looking to recover financially from the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic.
If a league is considering this, they should contact their District Administrator and appropriate Region, as well as email Little League Support.
Unfortunately, your league may need to come to the conclusion that it cannot support a Little League opportunity this year. We strongly encourage you to review all opportunities that may be available to get children back out to the field this year (including Fall Ball, Sandlot Fun Days, etc.), but, if your Board of Directors has decided to cancel its season, here are the steps your league should take:
- Notify Little League International by emailing Little League Support.
- Notify your league’s membership and families.
- Season Cancellation Template
- To be used by leagues cancelling their season
- Should include the league’s refund policy
- Detail reasons for the decision
- Option to consider “donation to league”
- Season Cancellation Template
We regret to inform you that due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the impact it has had on our community, {INSERT LEAGUE NAME} has made the decision to cancel the 2020 season. The following factors led to this decision: {list factors to include, but not limited to, state/local guidance, field availability, school closures, etc.} As a part of this decision, our league has implemented the following refund policy:
{Insert refund policy here}
This decision has also had a financial impact on our operations. If you are interested in allowing the league to keep your registration fee as a donation to the league, as we hope to return to the field next season, please let us know. Donations are greatly appreciated and helpful to our continued mission to provide Little League opportunities to our community.
Thank you for your continued support of our league, and we hope you and your family continue to stay safe during these difficult times.
- Notify any sponsors and community supporters.
- Approach sponsors with the option of providing their fee as a straight donation to the league (without expecting anything in return; be prepared to share your financial assessment with them)
- Consider prorating the sponsorship fee for the timeframe of the season that was implemented
- If sponsors ask for returned fees, ask sponsors about extending their sponsorship for additional length of time (for example into the summer or into 2021)
To assist the local Little League programs, Little League International credited all chartered programs with the affiliation fees paid for their chartered teams in 2020. These funds have been credited through Little League’s Data Center based on the number of teams they have chartered for the 2020 season, and will be available for local leagues to use on current balances, future affiliation and insurance fees, tournament enrollment, and other Little League-related expenses.
Little League International credited those affiliated programs with the chartering fees paid in 2020, which totals approximately $1.2 million in support to local leagues. These funds were credited through Little League’s Data Center based on the current number of chartered teams listed in the Data Center for the 2020 season, which should have been updated during the chartering process. If have questions about team numbers and their impact on resumption of play or any league-specific questions, please contact Little League Support.
Little League International will be exploring additional ways to assist local leagues in need as they return to action following the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as well as ways to enhance its grant program. Additional information and guidance will be shared directly with local leagues as they become available.
We encourage leagues to be honest and upfront with their families, volunteers, sponsors, supporters, and fans. Clearly communicating the actions your leagues are taking, when activities are currently planned to resume, and other best practices is important. We would encourage you to also direct them to the resources available at LittleLeague.org/Coronavirus. It’s important to keep your website up to date with your league’s latest information, as well as share updates via email and social media.
Most local or regional banks and financial institutions and some state organizations provide loans for non-profit organizations. We suggest you contact these organizations and inquire about such programs for more information and qualifications.
Yes, local leagues can obtain loans from most banks and financial institutions.
We suggest you contact the mortgage holder and advise them of your situation. Most institutions will work with you to remedy the situation and many institutions have special programs to assist organizations in this situation through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local Little League programs may be eligible for certain funding from grants or loans such as the CARES Act. Eligibility is dependent on the criteria for the loans as well as certain non-profit exemption status requirements. The Council for Nonprofits has outlined how these programs may offer assistance to non-profit organizations, like your local Little League program (learn more from the Council for Nonprofits). Little League International continues to investigate these resources as potential financial support for our leagues, and we will continue to provide guidance on how leagues can apply, if applicable. Before any local program applies for assistance through the CARES Act, we strongly encourage the league to fully review the requirements and conditions, discuss the opportunities with local resources available to the league (such as an accountant or financial advisor), and apply directly, if qualified. We also encourage local leagues to discuss such opportunities with a SBA-approved financial institution.
We encourage our leagues to negotiate with vendors/creditors for any goods and services. Vendors or creditors usually provide invoices or statements that include convenient ways to contact them via phone or email. Many vendors are providing extended payment deadlines and other options to assist you during the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage you to contact vendors/creditors promptly to work out alterative payment plans so as not to have services terminated or suspended or payments be considered in default.
We know that many leagues have been working hard to prepare to provide a great Little League experience for the families of their community and have already ordered equipment, jerseys, and other associated items for the season.
As this situation develops, we would encourage leagues/districts to take this time during the temporary suspension to continue to review league finances, both income and expenses, to determine how much could be allocated to non-refundable expenses, equipment loss, or refunds. Leagues should also assess if any of these non-refundable expenses may be for items that could be used in the future. Issuing refunds or applying registration fees to future seasons should be evaluated as part of the leagues overall budget review.
After that assessment, each league’s Board of Directors should work on establishing a refund policy specifically for this situation based on that budget work that, should it be necessary, they can communicate to their families. For future seasons, it may be beneficial for leagues to create a refund policy to place in their bylaws to outline how to handle refunds for future seasons.
As always, we encourage leagues to be transparent with their finances and explain these expenses to their families. Urge your parents to be patient, as we work through this ever-evolving situation, with the hopes of providing opportunities to play Little League throughout the spring and summer.
For more financial information and guidance, please visit the Little League Coronavirus (COVID-19) Financial Guide.
Unfortunately, leagues may be in the position of having a member of the league or volunteer notify them of contracting COVID-19 (Coronavirus). In these unique circumstances, leagues should promptly notify their membership and more specifically individuals who may have come into contact with this individual, with the recommendation to follow all CDC and World Health Organization requirements for self-quarantine.
The individual’s name should not be shared with anyone and should be kept to the strictest confidentiality; unless such individual has provided express consent that his/her name may be shared with the league membership.
Below is a sample letter that may be used to contact your league membership:
—
Dear ((INSERT LEAGUE NAME)) Member,
The safety and well-being of all of our participants is always our paramount concern, and now, more than ever.
We were recently notified that an individual associated with our league has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (coronavirus). To respect the safety and privacy of that individual, we will not be sharing any personal details on that individual.
Unfortunately, prior to the individual’s diagnosis, and our before our league suspended its activities, that individual participated in the following league activities:
((INSERT GAME/PRACTICE/LEAGUE ACTIVITY DETAILS INCLUDING DATES; PLEASE DO NOT SHARE PERSONAL INFORMATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL UNLESS YOU HAVE CONSENT TO DO SO))
For anyone who participated or attended any of these events, we strongly urge you to follow the recommendations of the CDC, which can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
We are thinking of this individual battling the coronavirus, as well as everyone in our ((INSERT LEAGUE NAME)) family at this difficult time.
Thank you for your understanding, patience, and compassion as we navigate this difficult situation.
Sincerely,
((INSERT LEAGUE PRESIDENT AND/OR BOARD NAME))
As with any injury or illness, it is a best practice that a player or volunteer be cleared by a medical professional to participate in Little League activities. If someone in a player’s household has been diagnosed with COVID-19, it’s a best practice for that player to stay home, as directed by a medical professional.
According to the CDC, individuals who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 should be alert for symptoms, watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19, and take their temperature regularly and follow CDC guidance if you have symptoms. Individuals should also consult their state and/or local guidance on recommendations for returning to activities.
It is highly encouraged that each league and district adheres to the guidelines set forth by their respective state and local government and health officials in regards to operating your local Little League program. If your league is faced with this situation, we would encourage league officials and coaches to have those individuals who’ve traveled to a state with a self-quarantine advisory to adhere to your state’s recommendation. Leagues should also communicate that directive to all your families and volunteers using your league website, social media, email, and all other communications methods.