Who should be required to have a background check?
Background Checks
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every adult who will be inside the fences at any practice or game
- Jan 20, 2010
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All adults on the field are required to pass background checks in our little league. I assume this is required by all little leagues. It is the same for soccer and basketball.
- Apr 1, 2010
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Am I wrong to wonder about teenagers too? Especially when my DD was younger, sometimes older brothers and sisters would help out. I don't mind at all as long as they're where everyone can see them, but I'd be a little nervous if a teen took a kid or kids somewhere private to do a drill.
The more I think about this, the more people I think should be checked. Its not a pleasant thought, but bad people hide in plain sight as neighbors, friends, teachers, coaches... I have 2 kids, in addition to school sports they have been involved with 5 different organizations. Here is what I have seen in 3 of them.
*Little League, the treasurer and umpire was arrested / convicted for child pornography. He was initially investigated because he was pretending to be a 14 YO boy on the internet to meet children. He was using a local boys baseball pictures and pretending they were him.
*AYSO region president and coach. Arrested for stalking and peeping on an adult woman. Jail and probation.
*Softball and School sports booster. Treasurer of the sports boosters club embezzled thousands of dollars from the HS booster club. Trial pending. Was on the board of several other groups including our fastpitch club. No other organizations seems to have been stolen from.
A pretty high rate of issues for a small town/rural location.
Then when you think of all the people who you trust around your kids. The other parents who help you out by driving your kid to practice, or home from a game when you are at work or at your other kid's game. The coaches you take them to outside of your softball team, pitching and hitting coaches. The lady who runs the snack stand at the field or at the batting cages. The teacher who is organizing some outside of school club, or band. Clergy? There are thousands of people we come in contact with who at one time or another are going to have a moment of alone time with your kid.
Where do you draw the line? When do you make an exception? Team needs a ump, you don't have a background check on a guy but he is available? How about a top notch PC, but you have no idea what his history is?
I don't know what the answer is, its a terrible question to sit and ponder. Obviously one that has to be pondered. I guess my answer is I will be the one conducting investigation on the folks involved with my kids. I will do it by being present and being involved. Asking my child questions about those adults I don't know, and even some about those I do know. Making sure she knows whats proper and what is not, and what to do if the improper should arise.
Other then that, I think the answer to the question asked is everyone on the field and for money purposes anyone who is on the bank account.
*Little League, the treasurer and umpire was arrested / convicted for child pornography. He was initially investigated because he was pretending to be a 14 YO boy on the internet to meet children. He was using a local boys baseball pictures and pretending they were him.
*AYSO region president and coach. Arrested for stalking and peeping on an adult woman. Jail and probation.
*Softball and School sports booster. Treasurer of the sports boosters club embezzled thousands of dollars from the HS booster club. Trial pending. Was on the board of several other groups including our fastpitch club. No other organizations seems to have been stolen from.
A pretty high rate of issues for a small town/rural location.
Then when you think of all the people who you trust around your kids. The other parents who help you out by driving your kid to practice, or home from a game when you are at work or at your other kid's game. The coaches you take them to outside of your softball team, pitching and hitting coaches. The lady who runs the snack stand at the field or at the batting cages. The teacher who is organizing some outside of school club, or band. Clergy? There are thousands of people we come in contact with who at one time or another are going to have a moment of alone time with your kid.
Where do you draw the line? When do you make an exception? Team needs a ump, you don't have a background check on a guy but he is available? How about a top notch PC, but you have no idea what his history is?
I don't know what the answer is, its a terrible question to sit and ponder. Obviously one that has to be pondered. I guess my answer is I will be the one conducting investigation on the folks involved with my kids. I will do it by being present and being involved. Asking my child questions about those adults I don't know, and even some about those I do know. Making sure she knows whats proper and what is not, and what to do if the improper should arise.
Other then that, I think the answer to the question asked is everyone on the field and for money purposes anyone who is on the bank account.
- May 25, 2010
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This.
Throw the rest of it out, because all 'background checks' do is to give people a false sense of security. Like yourself, my wife and I are with our daughter almost all the time. She's out of our sight during the school day, when visiting her cousins/grandparents, and when in her church class. There is no 100% guarantee of protection for any child who is away from the parents for any length of time, but we've made every reasonable effort to know as much as possible about the adults and teens she comes into contact with.
I agree 80%. We have never had an issue and we do not plan to. A background check is just one of our tools, not the answer.
Communication is the key, my DD can talk to my wife about anything, me most things.
I am surprised, and disappointed, how many parents just drop their kids off with me. Some might have done their due diligences; I am sure most have not.
Communication is the key, my DD can talk to my wife about anything, me most things.
I am surprised, and disappointed, how many parents just drop their kids off with me. Some might have done their due diligences; I am sure most have not.
In Australia it's law that anyone who spends a significant amount of time (generally more than two training sessions) has to have a 'Working With Children' card. It costs $10 for volunteers and it's a background check. Once you're cleared you are given an ID card, which you are required to produce if anyone asks. I don't know if umpires need it, but I would assume so.
In my home state it's even stricter. If you even play on a team with a minor (under 16) you are required to have the card as well.
I think it's a fantastic idea. My old association when the laws first came in, we were horrified to discover that one of our longterm team managers had child sex convictions that no-one ever knew about. We also had a coach who went to gaol for abusing the boys he coached. It's so common and no-one knows.
In my home state it's even stricter. If you even play on a team with a minor (under 16) you are required to have the card as well.
I think it's a fantastic idea. My old association when the laws first came in, we were horrified to discover that one of our longterm team managers had child sex convictions that no-one ever knew about. We also had a coach who went to gaol for abusing the boys he coached. It's so common and no-one knows.
- Oct 19, 2009
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Background checks are just one small part of the solution, in GA the checks are just for the state of Georgia, the only way to get a criminal history from ever state is by finger prints. When someone is arrested and booked on charges fingerprints are taken and submitted to the state and FBI if the finger prints are legible then the charges are recorded in the database. If the fingerprints are not legible then the charges are not recorded. So a fingerprint check may not be entirely accurate.
Then again offenders get away with crimes for years and may never be caught. Good lawyers or poor cases by District Attorneys and Law Enforcement often cases are lost in court and then offenders can apply to have the records removed and you would never know there were charged. Having said that some charges are due to revenge and other reasons, innocent people are charged with crimes.
When a sex-offender is convicted they are required to register in any town they live, work or attend any functions in and a copy is to be availed at sheriff departments for viewing. Most states have a web sight with offenders listed and their name and address.
People like this try to get involved with activities where children are to look for victims they do not have a big red sigh on their shirt saying I’m a criminal.
The best I can tell you is be diligent, criminal history checks, listen to your child, look for new mood swings or out of the norm acts by your child and get involved with any activity your child is involved in.
We’ve had softball coaches, tennis coaches, teachers and clergy who have been convicted for crimes against children.
Always error on the side of caution where your child is concerned.
Then again offenders get away with crimes for years and may never be caught. Good lawyers or poor cases by District Attorneys and Law Enforcement often cases are lost in court and then offenders can apply to have the records removed and you would never know there were charged. Having said that some charges are due to revenge and other reasons, innocent people are charged with crimes.
When a sex-offender is convicted they are required to register in any town they live, work or attend any functions in and a copy is to be availed at sheriff departments for viewing. Most states have a web sight with offenders listed and their name and address.
People like this try to get involved with activities where children are to look for victims they do not have a big red sigh on their shirt saying I’m a criminal.
The best I can tell you is be diligent, criminal history checks, listen to your child, look for new mood swings or out of the norm acts by your child and get involved with any activity your child is involved in.
We’ve had softball coaches, tennis coaches, teachers and clergy who have been convicted for crimes against children.
Always error on the side of caution where your child is concerned.
Because of the holidays I have had the opportunity to discuss this Issue with Managers from various parts of the country. My family has a lot of girls and all their parents are involved or in charge.
Individual “local rules” is always a fun conversation, sometimes I think we all coach different sports.
I have been involved in youth sports on and off for 30 years. To manage my father’s LL Team for a couple of weeks I was required to submit to a background check, no cost to me. I was too lazy to submit the paperwork but none the less I was in charge. Parents just dropped their kids off.
We had @ ½ an hour discussion about umpires. A few people thought that they always have an audience so it is not necessary; other people thought that since some of them personally interact with the girls an absolutely yes they should. It was a very interesting conversation.
After 30 years of coaching I have only had 1 background check. For some reason I wanted an ASA certification this year. Our Team is in flux but I am currently not going to be a Manager or coach, I hope, just wanted one. If that card means anything to a parent, I am worried.
Some people were shocked that our League does not require a background check but a few of them are like me and too lazy to submit their paperwork so they do not have one either. IDK
Individual “local rules” is always a fun conversation, sometimes I think we all coach different sports.
I have been involved in youth sports on and off for 30 years. To manage my father’s LL Team for a couple of weeks I was required to submit to a background check, no cost to me. I was too lazy to submit the paperwork but none the less I was in charge. Parents just dropped their kids off.
We had @ ½ an hour discussion about umpires. A few people thought that they always have an audience so it is not necessary; other people thought that since some of them personally interact with the girls an absolutely yes they should. It was a very interesting conversation.
After 30 years of coaching I have only had 1 background check. For some reason I wanted an ASA certification this year. Our Team is in flux but I am currently not going to be a Manager or coach, I hope, just wanted one. If that card means anything to a parent, I am worried.
Some people were shocked that our League does not require a background check but a few of them are like me and too lazy to submit their paperwork so they do not have one either. IDK
