Little League International Hosts Training Program for New Volunteer District Administrators

The 25 new Little League District Administrators who are taking part in an education/training seminar at Little League International take time from their two-day session for a photo. Seated (left to right): Franzisco Lucio Tippmann, Kat Kelly, Kim Betzsold, Jamye Royal, Ginger Barrett, Fred Cantor, Carl Thompson , Bill Bunten, John Miller. Middle row (l to r): Paul Flanagan (Little League International Board of Directors Member and West Virginia DA), John Donaldson , Mike Burton, Stephen Smith, Stevelyn Parris, Joseph Liberatore, Mike Valenti, Devon Corrigan, Edward Reynoso. Back row (l to r): Patrick Wilson (Little League Vice President of Operations), Glenn Landry, Robert Wheeler, Jim McGehrin, Joseph Flintosh, Rod Moore, Gijs Selderijk, Carlton Jones, Juan Rivera.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Oct. 14, 2011) – An educational program to provide information and training for new District Administrators will be conducted this weekend at Little League International. The two-day training session is being conducted today and Saturday.

The District Administrator (DA), a volunteer position, is a liaison between Little League International and the local leagues. Little League Baseball and Softball has 649 DAs worldwide with 507 of those in the United States. A District Administrator is elected to a three-year term by a vote of the local leagues in the district. Districts are usually composed of between 8 and 20 leagues.

 A total of 25 District Administrators will be attending the New District Administrator Training. They represent 15 states and five international districts.

“The role of the District Administrator is important to the smooth operation of our local leagues and encompasses many different areas,” Nick Caringi, Little League’s Senior Director of Operations and Education, said. “Our DAs need to know Little League policies and regulations, in addition to having good judgment and common sense to provide counsel and assistance to local leagues. This educational program will give each of the new DAs the foundation needed to successfully begin their tenure as a District Administrator.”

The DA also needs to have a knowledge of the social, geographic and community factors within the district that will help in assisting, not only the leagues, but Little League Baseball and Softball. Some of the other duties of the DA include scheduling meetings within the district, nominating umpires for upper level tournaments, conducting tournaments and working with Regional Headquarters personnel.

Education and training on Friday will be provided in areas such as the expectations and role of the DA, structuring the district, communications and media guidelines, the role of Little League sponsors, and how to use the Little League Data Center. The training session concludes Saturday by covering topics such as district insurance, the Child Protection Program, the importance of local leagues participating in ASAP (A Safety Awareness Plan), the DA’s role in league development and retention, and forms and processes.

Transportation and expenses for each of the District Administrators attending the educational program was provided by Little League. Funding for this important training comes from the International Tournament fees paid by local leagues.

Little League Baseball and Softball is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with more than 2.4 million players and 1 million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and scores of other countries.