As challenging as the last two seasons have been, we are excited to look forward with your league to a brighter future next season. Below are some important items to make sure your league attends to for a great 2023.
All volunteers are encouraged to continue to check LittleLeague.org/ResourceGuide for the latest information and guidance for the 2023 season.
1. Evaluate your 2022 season
What baseball, softball, and/or Challenger Division opportunities were you able to provide? How many players will be returning to your league this season? Were there things that families enjoyed, like playing Little League through the summer months, Little League Sandlot Fun Days, and other activities that can be incorporated into your 2023 season?
We suggest surveying your parents and including some questions specific to how your league evolved during the 2022 season.
2. Schedule and complete the annual meeting and election with general membership
An Annual Meeting of the Members is required to take place each year according to the local league’s constitution. The local league’s constitution outlines when the annual meeting will take place and what is required of the annual meeting, which typically includes the election of your league’s Board of Directors for the upcoming season. Adapting these meetings as leagues prepare for the 2023 Little League season will be important to set you and your fellow volunteers up for success next year. Learn more about how to hold your annual meeting for this upcoming season.
3. Update new board information on the Little League Data Center
It’s important to have the correct contact information for your league’s leadership within the Data Center to ensure volunteers have all the information and access needed for the 2023 season. If there are not changes to your board for the upcoming season, please confirm your officers are current in the Data Center.
4. Complete your chartering and insurance enrollment
The chartering and insurance enrollment process for the 2023 season is available through the Little League Data Center. Please continue to visit LittleLeague.org/SeasonResources for the latest information and guidance for this season. If you have additional questions or need support, please submit your question to Little League Support.
5. Fully review the current financial status of the league and develop a 2023 operating budget
As part of the end of the fiscal year, your league should have conducted its annual audit and fully reviewed its finances, which may have been greatly impacted by any refunds, loss of sponsorship support, lack of fundraisers, etc., as your league navigated the coronavirus pandemic.
Little League has created a budget template that details common sources of revenue and expenses to consider when creating a budget. Some things to keep in mind when developing your budget are any changes required by municipalities or school districts that will require a financial commitment to reserve any facilities you may utilize. Additional resources will be available throughout the 2023 season.
Little League has also created a new Grant Resources page (LittleLeague.org/GrantResources) to assist leagues with information on national, state, and local grant opportunities, as well as Little League-specific programs through our national partners.
6. Begin to build the framework of your season
As you begin to sketch out our league’s playing plans for 2023, some things to keep in mind are to:
- Confirm field and facility availability to help determine the start date for player evaluations, practices, and games.
- Discuss and determine if you want to schedule your season to allow for Little League approved alternate methods of play.
- Review with District Staff interleague and combined team plans for the 2023 season.
Additional scheduling guidance will be available for local leagues in the near future at LittleLeague.org/SeasonResources.
7. Determine player eligibility
Providing players the opportunity to participate in the local league where the school they attend is physically located has allowed children to enjoy the Little League® experience with their friends and classmates. This school year provides many challenges in education that impact how families can identify the appropriate league based on school attendance and provide the approved verification to establish a player’s eligibility based on school attendance. Learn more about establishing player eligibility.
Little League International hopes that all children are able to have a Little League experience. Leagues and families are encouraged to work with their District Administrator and appropriate Region Office on their specific circumstances.
8. Contact your Region Office to discuss player eligibility and to discuss other unique family situations that may require a waiver prior to the start of play.
Leagues are encouraged to contact their appropriate Region Office to confirm the existing waivers on file for players in their league and review any other circumstances that Little League staff can help navigate the appropriate process to encourage participation.
9. Complete an ASAP Safety Plan
The A Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) Safety Plan will be available starting December 1, 2022, through the Little League Data Center, the ASAP Safety Plan helps outline your league’s efforts to providing a healthy experience that focuses on the wellbeing of all players, volunteers, and fans. Local leagues that submit an ASAP plan by the announced deadline (typically mid-April), and are subsequently approved, will receive an award based on their participation in the AIG Accident Insurance Program.