Volunteers are the heart of the Mississippi Little League.
Your time, energy and dedication make it all possible!
Volunteering on the Field:
All on field volunteers must be registered in SportsHeadz as a volunteer, and have a valid Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) from the OPP. VSCs are valid for two years from the date they are issued.
How to apply for a Vulnerable Sector Check
Click Here to Register as a Volunteer in SportsHeadz
FAQs about Volunteering:
Q: I want to help but I don't know anything about baseball.
A: You don't need any baseball knowledge to volunteer on the field - there is no better way than learning by doing! There are lots of resources available to help you. We are lucky to have some incredibly knowledgeable people in our organization who are very happy to share their tips and tricks (and practice plans). We have Coaching Videos and Coach Resources available on our website. You can also reach out to our Coaching Mentor with baseball or coaching questions ([email protected]).
Q: Are there other ways to help off the field?
A: Absolutely! We put out calls many times a season to help with BBQs, tournaments and other special events. Our League Executive is also made up of volunteers. Calls for volunteers often come via email, but if you're interested in being involved please reach out to our Registrar to discuss. ([email protected])
Q: How do I register as a volunteer in SportsHeadz?
A: Navigate to the Registration Page (the same place you register a player). Choose the Volunteer option and select yourself as the participant. You will be prompted to upload your VSC as part of this process. Please make sure you go all the way through to the check out screen. There's no fee to volunteer of course, but this step is required for the registration to go through. Please note that volunteer registrations should be in the name of the person volunteering, not the name of their player.
Q: Do I need to register as a volunteer every season?
A: No. You only need to register once as a volunteer. After that you will just need to update your VSC every two years to remain eligible to help on the field. Once registered, updated VSCs can be sent to our Safety Officer ([email protected]) who will upload it into your Volunteer Registration as required.
Q: I'd love to help on the field but I work shift work/have other commitments and can't guarantee I'll be at every practice and game. Can I still volunteer?
A: Yes! Whenever possible, teams are rostered with multiple coaches and on field helpers as we understand that situations arise when volunteers can't make a practice or a game. If you would like to help but know that your availability is variable, please give your division convener a heads up as it helps with how coaches are distributed between teams.
Q: What are the are the responsibilities of the on field volunteer roles?
A: It varies a little by age and division, here is a breakdown. More information about specific programs can be found under the programs menu on our website.
Kinderball: (3-4 years old)
Station Volunteer: Kinderball is slightly-baseball-related drills, such as throwing rubber chickens into a big bucket, catching beach balls. Kinderball groups rotate the stations through the Kinderball hour. At least one volunteer is required at each station to reset the station and put things back to the beginning set up between each group of players. The players (teams) rotate from station to station.
Coach: At least one volunteer will be required to bring each group around to all of the stations over the Kinderball hour, keeping the group together and maintaining order.
Timer: One volunteer is required to time each rotation and blow the whistle when it's time to move.
TBall & Rookie: (TBall 5-6 years old, Rookie 7-8 years old). Rookie is coach pitch.
Coach: Teaching the basics of baseball (throwing, catching and in Rookie skills and strategy as well), directing games, establishing practice plans and initiating drills, setting the batting order. Pitching to players (Rookie only).
Assistant Coaches & On Field Helpers: Breaking out small groups to follow the coach's practice, assisting where needed, assisting on the field or in the dugout during games to encourage, instruct and assist players. Option of pitching during games in Rookie.
Dugout: be present in the dugout during games to ensure safety while players await their turn to bat, encourage respectful behaviour, organization of the batting order (getting players ready to go next, make sure the players are wearing required equipment during the game, sending players out to bat that their turn).
Minor & Major: (Minor 9-10 years old, Major 11-12 years old)
Coach: Teaching baseball play (skills, strategy), directing games, establishing practice plans and initiating drills, setting the batting order.
Assistant Coaches & On Field Helpers: Breaking out small groups to follow the coach's practice plan, assisting where needed, fielding during games to encourage, instruct and assist players.
Dugout: be present in the dugout during games to ensure safety while players await their turn to bat, encourage respectful behaviour on the bench, organization of the batting order (getting players ready to go next, make sure are players are wearing required equipment during the game, sending players out to bat at their turn, etc.
Junior & Senior: (Junior 13-14 years old, Senior 15-16 years old)
Coach: Teaching baseball play (skills, strategy), directing games, establishing practice plans and initiating drills, setting the batting order.
Assistant Coaches: Breaking out small groups to follow the coach's practice plan, assisting where needed, fielding during games to encourage, instruct and assist players.
Still have questions? Please reach out to [email protected].