Team parent strategies for non-responsive parents

[Anonymous]

I'm a first-time team parent for my son's Little League team and am in need of suggestions on how to best solicit volunteers for the various tasks that need to be done for each game. I sent out a sign-up genius and several reminders, but almost no one's biting. For the first game, I signed up for one of the 5 volunteers slots needed per game, but simply can't take on all of the prep myself that needs to be done. This is the highest level of baseball in LL so it's not like parents are unfamiliar with what needs to be done each game.

For any experienced team parents out there, what works best to encourage volunteers?

[Anonymous]

What volunteer slots do you need? Field prep, scorekeeper..what else..lights? 5 volunteers per game?! My boys play LL Majors and the only volunteers needed are for field prep or breakdown (1 person) and a scorekeeper (and this is usually the same person, with a backup if they are absent). Sometimes, someone to track pitch count but often the bench coach does now that kids are older.

I’d send out another email saying the kids literally cannot play the game if field prep isn’t done, etc, so you NEED volunteers. If they don’t know how to do it (sometimes an issue) make sure to mention that you (or whoever) will be happy to show them how, the first time. If you still don’t get any responses, ask the coach to send something out. People will then volunteer to kiss up to the coach IME.

If it is something silly like snack duty, I’d just get rid of it. By Majors, none of that stuff is necessary.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for your response.

Yes, 5 slots, though arguably one or two could be eliminated. No snacks either, so thankfully that’s not one of the issues!

In our league, we’ve always asked for two volunteers for field prep- I don’t know if it’s because they truly think two people are needed, or what, but I imagine an experienced person could do it solo. I think one of the issues during COVID might be that teams are asked to very specifically adhere to start times and not arrive before a certain time, so maybe they think there’s not enough time for only one field prep person to handle things.

We need a COVID coach too at each game, as well as the scorekeeper.

There’s also one extra task the coach really wants done for each game. It’s not integral to the kids playing like field prep is, but since the coach specifically requested it be done per game, I’m honoring that request.

[Anonymous]

That makes sense. I was going to say that field prep often just happens and is done by whatever dads are standing around (since the kids have to be there early for warmups). I’d say in the email that due to covid/timing issues, you need people to sign up for a slot.

, I’d say something to the effect of “if no one signs up for field prep, the coaches will have to step away from warmups to do it, while the teams sits and waits. The boys need to run through a proper warmup before the game to prevent injury and this would not be ideal.” and reiterate that field prep is not difficult and one of the assistant coaches can give a quick instruction if needed.

Same for scorekeeper. We had this issue on one of my boys teams and the coach said “if no one volunteers, the bench coach has to score instead of helping supervise and warm up pitchers in the bullpen, and pay attention to and help your children in the dugout.

Make it clear that if parents don’t volunteer, the coaches will have to take time to do it rather than COACH, & the kids will lose out.

[Anonymous]

Assign the spots and tell them they need to find a sub if the date doesn't work for them.

[Anonymous]

Ask for volunteers again with a sign up genius and add that you will be charging each family that does not fill x number of spots x$ in order to hire a high-school kid to do it.

[Anonymous]

Give them one more reminder that if no one signs up, you will be assigning the spots

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask for volunteers again with a sign up genius and add that you will be charging each family that does not fill x number of spots x$ in order to hire a high-school kid to do it.

Don't offer this unless it's a real option, many people would gladly pay more to avoid the commitment.

[Anonymous]

tell them if you don't have covid coaches there won't be a game

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask for volunteers again with a sign up genius and add that you will be charging each family that does not fill x number of spots x$ in order to hire a high-school kid to do it.

Don't offer this unless it's a real option, many people would gladly pay more to avoid the commitment.

Yes, I would gladly pay. I’m busy and if that was an option I’d take it.

That being said, I understand volunteering is necessary. I’ve often suggested assigning spots with a rotation and telling parents it is up to them to switch of the day or time doesn’t work. Sign up genius is never good. It’s too easy for some to delete or ignore. Others feel compelled to always volunteer if no one else does and resentment builds. Everyone is busy. No one wants to hear how some are too busy to step up.

[Anonymous]

Our soccer team worked a heck of a lot better when the manager just assigned parents to do particular tasks, so I really recommend that route. If someone can't do it on their assigned day, they are responsible for finding a sub.

[Anonymous]

Just assign them out in team snap. Parents are in charge of finding their own replacements and making their own swaps

[Anonymous]

I only have a baby, so I'm totally out of this loop: Please excuse this naive question.

Is it made clear to every parent who signs a kid up for Little League that they are expected to volunteer? I could absolutely see myself signing my son up for Little League down the road, paying whatever fees are involved, and assuming that volunteering was completely optional, and that it would be no problem for me to not volunteer at all. And then, after not opting to volunteer, if I got a schedule of "volunteer" assignments (um, that's not volunteering?) and was told to just switch the day if it didn't work, I'd be frustrated and confused. To me, that's not volunteering - that's like a co-op.

Perhaps this IS made clear, that all parents are expected/required to do at least some minimal level of work, in which case, I rescind this whole comment. But I am a pretty busy person (as is, um, everyone) and I'm very careful to protect my downtime. So if this was expected, it would make me WAY less likely to sign my kid up for Little League. And if it's not made clear, I would really not appreciate the bait and switch.

Perhaps it's a role model thing - growing up, my parents were very "all or nothing" volunteers. They hosted girl scouts, or they did nothing. They were coach of the soccer team, or they did nothing. They were always quick to donate to stuff, but they generally did not volunteer for all these little jobs, a lot of which seem somewhat unnecessary (umm, five volunteers a game?? The team only has, what, 10-15 kids?) And I could see myself in the same role.

So, maybe I'm way off base here, as I have no direct experience with this, but it seems to me that the answer is to go back to the coach and say, "unfortunately, we only have three parents who have expressed any interest in volunteering, and they aren't available every game, so it looks like we'll only have 1 volunteer per game. What are the most important jobs that we need to fill? Perhaps one person could do field setup and score keeping each week, and that'll have to be enough." And then when you get his/her okay on that plan, you can send another email out to the team parents just saying "hey, because we are short on volunteers this season, we'll only be able to have field setup and score keeping during games and will not be able to do X, Y and Z. If you are interested in helping out so we can do more, let me know, there's definitely still time!" And then call it a day.

[Anonymous]

PP, if you are signing up your kid with a for-profit business, you can safely assume you won’t be asked to volunteer. But if it’s a non-profit (which things like sports typically are), then you probably will be expected to volunteer in some capacity.

[Anonymous]

Our LL Majors coach assigned score keeping duties by family when he sent out the team roster. Done. Ask the coach if you can use his name,, "Coach John suggested that I assign each family x number of games to be the official scorekeeper, so see attached. Please make sure to find a replacement if you will not be available as the kids are counting on you." Same for the other tasks.