Volunteers: Coaches, Umpires, Board Members and More!
Help wanted!
RUG Little League is entirely run by and depends on a legion of volunteers, and we are always looking for responsible and enthusiastic individuals to support league games, events and activities. Simply put, Little League could not exist without volunteers and you don’t need to be a parent in order to volunteer. Recruit other family members, friends, neighbors, and other community members who might be interested!
No experience is needed to become a volunteer. Most of the volunteer opportunities require little or no training, but RUG Little League will provide you with any of the necessary training you need to be successful. All you need to bring is your energy and interest in the safety, well-being, and overall development of children.
Register to volunteer at this link: https://www.rugll.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2567197
Volunteer Requirements and Training
All volunteers are required to complete a background check. RUG’s Volunteer Coordinator will generate a request with JDP Palatine (Little League’s partner to run background checks), which will send you an email with instructions to complete an online volunteer application. Additional requirements for certain volunteer positions are identified below.
Priority volunteer roles that need to be filled this year (as well as every year) are Coaches and Umpires. Please continue reading to find out more about these opportunities as well as others.
Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches
Being a coach requires time, patience, and a basic knowledge of the game of baseball. You will organize practices and run games, and communicate with the parents/guardians of your players to inform them of the team’s schedule, rainouts, and Little League events and activities. You also need to recruit other parents on your team to lend you a hand!
New coaches are especially needed at the younger divisions. But don’t worry if you have never coached before. RUG offers all the support you need, with several training opportunities specifically designed for coaches, including the following:
- February 26, 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm: Positive Coaching Alliance Training for All Coaches (online)
- March 3, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm: Softball Coaches Clinic
- March 6, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm: Baseball Clinic for Coaches in Player Pitch Divisions (AA and older)
- March 13, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm: Baseball Clinic for Coaches in Coach Pitch Divisions
-March 24, 9:45 am to 11:45 am: Baseball Clinic for Tee Ball Coaches
Additionally, there are four required online trainings for coaches (click links below):
- Little League Diamond Leader
- USA Baseball - Abuse Awareness for Adults
- NFHS - Concussion in Sports
- NFHS - Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Once you complete these trainings, please upload your completion certificates to your RUG online account.
You can register to be a coach when registering your player, or by selecting the Volunteer option in the Account Menu of your rugll.org account. For questions about being a coach, please contact [email protected].
Additional training is also available Little League International at the following link:
- Little League Training Opportunities
Umpires & Junior Umpires
Umpires are an essential part of the game. Most Little League games at the AA Division and up have one home plate umpire and one field umpire. Every team needs to step up and provide umpires. The home team is expected to provide the home plate umpire and the away team to provide the field ump.
Players in the Majors and Teen divisions are also welcome to join the RUG Junior Umpire Program! Initially, Junior Umpires serve as field umpires and are paired with adult umpires as they learn the ropes. Eventually, they may take on the role of home plate umpire as they gain experience and confidence. Junior Umpires can earn community service hours and earn a stipend! All field umpires earn a $20 stipend, middle school aged home plate umpires earn $30, and high school aged home plate umpires earn $40 or community service hours.
Junior Umpires are required to attend Junior Umpire Training on March 17.
As with coaches, RUG and Washington District 8 Little League will provide you with a wealth of support and training whether you’re a new umpire or a veteran. Upcoming training opportunities for umpires include the following (coaches may attend and will benefit from these trainings as well):
- February 28, 6:30pm-8:30pm: Little League Division 8 Rules Clinic, Session 1 of 2 (online-link coming soon)
- February 29, 6:30pm-8:30pm: Little League Division 8 Rules Clinic, Session 1 of 2 (online-link coming soon)
- March 2, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm: Division 8 Field Mechanics Clinic. Flyer coming, likely at Shorewood High School.
- March 9-10: West Region Umpire Outreach Clinic (fee required, which RUG will pay) - click this link for the flyer
- March 17, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm: Junior Umpire Training with Umpire-in-Chief Ross Kling at Maple Leaf Ballfield 2
Junior Umpires - register at this link: https://www.rugll.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2755465
More resources for umpires are available on the RUG website: Umpire Resources.
Additionally, there are three required online trainings for umpires, including junior umpires (click links below):
- USA Baseball - Abuse Awareness for Minors
- NFHS - Concussion in Sports
- NFHS - Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Once you complete these trainings, please upload your completion certificates to your RUG online account.
You can register to be an umpire when registering your player, or by selecting the Volunteer option in the Account Menu of your rugll.org account. For questions about being an umpire, please contact [email protected].
Board of Directors and Other Opportunities
What you see on the Little League field is a fraction of what you can do as a volunteer. Your RUG Board of Directors works behind the scenes to make it all run smoothly. Current openings on the Board of Directors include the following:
Secretary: League official that attends board meetings (monthly from October through July), records minutes, and shares minutes with the Board after each meeting. Sets board meeting schedule and sends out reminders.
Field Maintenance Manager: Ensures all fields are playable and have the required equipment. Interfaces with Seattle Parks and Recreation on field maintenance and improvements. Leads work parties with other RUG volunteers. Coordinates with volunteers to set up/take down batting cage and outfield fence at Maple Leaf Ballfield.
Field Equipment Manager: Makes sure all equipment storage areas at fields are fully equipped and organized. Determines when replacement equipment, including first aid supplies, is needed. Interfaces with Seattle Parks and Recreation to request field supplies, as needed.
Uniforms/Medals/Trophy Coordinator: Inventories uniforms in the offseason and orders new ones for the upcoming season. Stocks uniform bins and coordinates with division coordinators and coaches for distribution. Orders trophies and medals for end-of-season awards. Places orders for and inventories merchandise to sell at league events.
Division Coordinators: coordinator for each division from Tee Ball through Teen Ball for both baseball and softball divisions. Coordinators distribute the division rules to all coaches, facilitates answering questions, coordinates distribution of team equipment and uniforms to teams in division.
If you are interested in any of these Board positions, please contact [email protected].
Finally, do you have another idea on how to use your talents, skills, and enthusiasm to help provide the kids of RUG with the best possible Little League experience? Team snack coordinator? Team photographer? Sell concessions at league events? All ideas are welcome! Talk to your coach or contact [email protected] to discuss more ways to volunteer!
Thank you, and GO RUG!