According to News Channel 6 in Orlando, a Casselberry, Florida Concessionaire is accused of stealing more than $4,000 from the Little League. Obviously this person is a scumbag. Stealing is wrong, stealing from kids is despicable. Unfortunately, this is more commonplace than we would like to admit.

I am familiar with two other instances right off the top of my head and certainly there are thousands more. The problem w/ Little League is so much cash changes hands, it is not difficult to steal. The problem is the fact that everything is run by volunteers. Unlike a business with stringent checks and balances in place, trust permeates Little League. Those that watched the Little League World Series this year may have seen the shots of the volunteers working concessions in Williamsport. They are all volunteers as well.

How does a league fix this problem? The only way is to instill as many checks and balances as possible within the constraints of the structure of the league. Here are a few we use:

1. Every board meeting the bank statements are compared to the treasurer’s report
2. Cash register reports are run each night to balance sales reports
3. Access to bank accounts is provided to more than one person and checked often to assure they are funded

Could someone still steal from us? Probably, but at least we have a decent set of checks and balances to head off any theft.

Another key component of this equation is the duck suspicion. If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, probably a duck. How does this apply? If you think money is walking, think stock is slipping, think cards are being overcharged, they probably are. Trust your gut and do some research. What’s the worst thing that could happen? You might find out the people you are volunteering with are just as honest as you.

What is the worst case of theft from a child’s sports league you have ever heard of?

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Now that all the tournaments are over and we have set records in our concession stands we are off to visit family! Experienced Little League parents know to plan their vacations in late July and early August, so that is what we do. I hope to continue posting up there, but I cannot make any promises. Please don’t hate on me if I miss a day.

This trip might be a little awkward as well. It is the first time our family has gotten together since our father died around Christmas. In fact, that was the last time we were all together. It is also pretty much the first time I can remember that he won’t be there. There had to be other times when he wasn’t there, but I can’t remember them.

This is something we will skate around all weekend, but I know it will be in the forefront of everyone’s mind. We lost my sister’s husband last year as well, so neither of them will be there. Times are changing, the kids are older and some don’t attend anymore, the second generation of kids and grand kids have begun to grow up and everything is a bit different now when we get together. I guess that is how life works. Either way, I will have fun.

So, the next time I post it will likely be from the car on I-95. Waive is you see me!

What is your favorite family get together place?

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Yesterday we had the honor of hosting our district’s sectional tournament for the major softball division. The sectional was created to reduce the burden on the state tournaments, but in our case is a bit silly. We have only three districts in it so it is a 3 game round robin . Whoever shows up in their two games wins and goes to states. That is for a different article though. Today, I would like to discuss making money for your league hosting a tournament.

The cost we have to put out to host the tournament is about $700. This includes the flag for the champion, pins, medallions, and medals. The problem with only three teams playing is that there is no way to make that money up with concessions. We sold almost $500 in concessions, but that is revenue, not profit. We still had to purchase the stuff that we sold.

Therefore, we needed to find a way to raise more money. Our initial thought was a souvenir t-shirt. Everyone wants a momento of the tournament right? WRONG! We sold only about 20. Why?

I think it is because the girls play in a tournament every weekend just about and purchasing a shirt at each one is not feasable. Had this been the state tournament we probably would have sold enough to justify the costs, but at the sectional they simply did not sell.

This creates quite a dilima for the hosting league. First we have to feed all the umpires and district adminstrator. There is a cost for that. Then, we have to make sure all the volunteers have water and such to keep them going. And then theres the city guy which we have to make sure he is watered and fed as well. Suddenly we are losing a lot of money hosting this event!

So how can we raise more money at this event? We tried a 50/50 drawing and didn’t sell a single ticket! What tactics have you used in the past to raise money at tournaments? Please share with us so we can all reap the rewards of the hours of effort that goes into hosting a tournament.

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