I Signed up to Be a "Team Parent" for My Son's T-ball,what Did I Get Myself Into

Depends on the organization. It could be as simple as bringing the orange wedges and drinks to every game or arranging for all the treats, collecting uniform monies, arranging for any tournaments, transportation needs, end of season party, the team pictures, keeping the stats at every game and ordering the trophies. Again, it all depends on the organization and what they have in place for processes. Regardless, you will have fun and you're giving back to the community, helping kids whose parents couldn't do what you are. Believe what goes around, comes around. So when you put something good out there, it will come back to you.... don't know when or where, but it's a good thing. Thanks for volunteering!!!!!

I really enjoyed being Team Parent. Basically, it will depend a lot on who the coach is and how organized they are, but at the T-ball level, you would probably be very much appreciated for things like:

1 - A contact list of all the parents phone/emails. You generally get these by passing around a sign up list at the first parent meeting and then at practices. The coach can give you a list of the players to begin with so that you know you have everyone. An email list is especially helpful when there are changes or information that need to go out.

2 - Snack sign up sheet for game days.

3 - Make sure everyone gets/signs waivers, forms, etc.

4 - Make sure everyone gets picture packets when they come in.

5 - Offer to help with the end of season team party and trophy ordering. Usually, you also gather $$ from all the parents for trophies and to put toward a coaches gift. Sometimes there are assistant coaches as well who get smaller gifts. Normally it's around $10-$15 per family, but it will depend on what the cost of trophies are, etc. Once in awhile, you'll find a coach that wants to purchase the trophies so the parents don't have to pay for them, but in my experience, that is rare. :-) As far as coaches gifts, I usually did gift certificates to a local sports/athletic gear type store.

These are just the things that I did, but each Team Parent does things differently. Sometimes a coaches wife will step in to do some of this stuff, too. Hope this helps.

L.

Most teams have the children rotate who brings a bag of oranges.You should have a list with kids names and parents names and #'s and their day to bring fruit give each parent a copy.Helps in learning names too.
All children SHOULD bring their own water bottle..but I would keep some in the car..because there is usually one slacker parent who thinks this job means "babysitter".
Have 2 phone #'s for each child in case practice needs to be cancelled due to storms,or in case you need to cordinate a ride or inform parents of something like chicken pox that could be spred.
Lots of teams have a litte good bye party could be as simple as pizza or cookies on the last day.As they get older partys get bigger.You could snap some photos and put those online...or ask who is good at that and let them do it.Most of all in volunteering have fun and MAKE it fun for everyone else.Have everyone donate $5-$10 for the coach for a gift...they've earned it !

In my area the Park and Recreation department handles the game schedule and location is always the same for the little ones. The fee to play includes the t-shirt which is the uniform. The team mom makes sure that each parent signs up for after game snacks so that no one has to always do it. You also make sure the kids are lined up on the bench in order of play and keep stats. The coach should provide you with the paperwork for that and "train" you for what to do. You can also get another mom to be your co-leader so you don't have to wrangle all the 5 year olds by yourself. (They get pretty wiggly on the bench.) Relax, have fun and don't forget your camera. I got some pretty candid shots when they were on the bench waiting to play.

Hi K.,
I was a Team Mom and or scorekeeper for 2 sons thru 7 years each of Little League. Being involved with LL can be the most rewarding (and most frustrating) "jobs" U will ever have! Thank You for volunteering.
The first 2 replies pretty well nailed the job descripton. I would send out a letter/e-mail to each parent ASAP. Let them know how your team is handling snacks, trophies, what trophies will cost, party ideas, anything you can think of that U as a parent would want to know.
The only other thing I can think of to add is that you may also have to deal with a fund raiser of some sort. When my sons were T-ball age it was candy bar sales. Don't be afraid to delegate, get to know your parents, at this young age most of your parents will be eager to help.
Hope this helps,
Thank You again for Volunteering,
Vicki

Hello when my 2 did t-ball-- our team parent organized the juice/snack parent schedule for the games and booked the team party location- ordered the kids trophies and coaches gift -- our kids all signed balls and did starbucks gift cards ( collecting the $$$ from parents set amount for the trophies and a what can you donate thing for the coaches gift) our coach had all parents help at practices and be base coaches and help get the kids in batting order at the games ( here a min 6 hrs parent participation is required in some form ) hope that helped

My mom was always a volunteer for my brother, sister and myself's soccer leagues. I remember her being everywhere and ALWAYS had the best treats. Big thanks to Costco! The children always admired her and the more familiar they get with you, the more you don't feel obligated to be there, but you want to be there. It's rewarding in its self. You'll find your groove and realize it was the best thing you "got yourself into". I haven't volunteered for little league or any league like my mom before, but I have volunteered my time with children. Wish I was available to volunteer more, but new life is expected to enter the world soon in May. Maybe when he joins a league I can experience it for myself.