Mount Sentinel Little League: Parents

Parent Participation

Many responsibilities exist beyond the normal team level commitments that make Mount Sentinel Little League function smoothly. Parents are what make the program a quality experience for all our children. Mount Sentinel Little League can only be as good as we, the parents, make it. The following are some important volunteer areas that are required your help.

~        Selling Concession
~        Being an Umpire
~        Field Preparation and Maintenance
~        Team Parent
~        Helping at Registration
~        Tournament Volunteers (end of Season)
~        Scorekeeping & Pitch count
~        Member of Board 
For more information or to volunteer please contact Creg Dieziger cdieziger@gmail.com

Parent Support

Parent support during both games and practices is critically important to the success of our League. Be supportive of the team by ensuring your child attends each practice on-time. Be a positive role model during games, whether you are a manager, an assistant coach, or simply a spectator. Finally, please keep in mind:

~        Always be positive and enthusiastic.
~        Show your child positive reinforcement.
~        Observe the practices and games and learn proper techniques to practice with your child.
~        Encourage your child toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game.
~        Teach your child to always play by the rules.
~        Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than a victory.
~        Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposing team.
~        Let the managers and coaches do the coaching.
~        Let the umpire be the umpire 
Recognize that the umpire is the closest to the play and that each umpire will "call them as they see them." The umpire is a volunteer who has assumed a difficult, but necessary, role.


Parent/Volunteer Pledge
~         I will teach all children to play fair and do their best.
~         I will positively support all managers, coaches and players.
~         I will respect the decisions of the umpires.
~         I will praise a good effort despite the outcome of the game.


The Role of the Parent
Parents play a very important role in helping to shape a positive experience for players, coaches, umpires, and other parents! To help you understand the key role parents play in the Mount Sentinel Little League, the following excerpt was taken from the Official Regulations and Playing Rules of National Little League Baseball.

"The parents of millions of Little Leaguers, combined with their youngsters, league officials, umpires, managers, coaches, auxiliary members and countless volunteer agencies including sponsors, represent an imposing cross section of this nation.

Parents should accept the fact that they must shoulder the responsibility and take initiative to make the local program successful. Little League is not a club in which membership implies baby-sitting benefits and entertainment privileges for your children.

Practically speaking, Little League is an adult, volunteer work project constructed, supervised and assisted by parents who desire to make its benefits extend to their children.

Each parent should join in the total effort. There is a place and a job to do for all. The burden of operating the League should not fall on a few. The parent who shirks this responsibility cannot, in turn, expect others to assume the burden."

Injury Prevention

~        Make sure that all team equipment has been inspected by a Little League official to ensure that it is functioning properly.

~        Make sure that children do not climb on fences surrounding the playing fields.

~        Check playing fields before games and practices for holes, large rocks or sticks, and anything else that may cause interference for players.

~        Make sure that players warm up and stretch before practices and games.

~        Make sure that your child drinks plenty of fluids not only while playing, but also throughout the day before practices and games.

~        Treat minor injuries with RICE - Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

~        Post warning signs in foul ball areas.

~        Enforce bike helmet laws if children are riding to/from playing facilities.

~        Be sure that you have enough seatbelts for everyone in the vehicle when you are transporting players.

~        Watch for signs of heat exhaustion when playing in extreme heat.

~        Schedule practices before noon or in the evening to avoid the hottest hours of the day.

~        Schedule multiple drink breaks during practices and games.

Inclement Weather
Be aware of threatening weather. Practices and games should be stopped immediately at the first sign of lightning and shelter should be sought immediately. Your child's coach should contact you via phone regarding the postponement or cancellation of games. Occasionally, the umpire is required to call a game prior to its completion. When this occurs, your child's coach will inform you about make-up dates.

Cleaning Your Uniform
Most Little League uniforms are made of cotton and polyester. To remove stains caused by grass or dirt, it is important to wash your uniform as soon as possible. Gently rubbing a mix of cool water and a small amount of liquid or powdered detergent directly onto the stained area before washing will help prevent the stain from setting in.



Parent Concerns
If you have concerns about anything regarding your team or the league, first talk to your manager. If your concern is not resolved, then contact your Division VP listed on the Mount Sentinel Little League Board page.

Parent's page on Little League