Little League's Internet Guidelines

Little League Baseball Incorporated

Dear League President,

As the president of your league, you have the serious responsibility of protecting the children in your program from potential, as well as immediate danger, to the best of your ability. The Internet, as a cost effective means of communication, is enjoying rapidly increasing popularity in communities around the world. Should your league decide to make a local, or district Web Site (Home Page) available, there are a number of factors you must consider.

While the Internet offers exceptional opportunities for the inexpensive distribution of information, it also presents certain potential dangers for the children in your program. By creating an Internet presence for your league, the information you post becomes accessible by anyone, anywhere, and access is not limited to just your community. Should an undesirable individual make contact with a player through your site, or utilize information obtained on your site to make inappropriate contact, your league could be considered not only responsible but possibly liable.

To assist leagues in making responsible decisions regarding the Internet, Little League has assembled the following guidelines:

• Never place the name of any Little Leaguer on the Internet (including individual stats). With a child's name and a phone book, it is not difficult to ascertain a child's address.
• Do not make available a chat room or forum where those accessing your site can communicate with each other. Undesirable individuals frequently pose as children or use another person's name. The Internet cannot verify either.
• If you create a "Bulletin Board" area. Allow only the individual responsible for maintaining your site to post or place information.
• Monitor your site. Visit your own site frequently to monitor the information your league is making public.

To register your league's Web Site, simply complete the enclosed card and mail it to International Headquarters. An official Little League internet graphics file for your home page will then be made available to the individual you designate to construct and maintain your site. If available, your league is also encouraged to register your League President's e-mail address for future communications.

If you have any questions concerning Little League sites on the Internet you are welcome to contact Dennis Sullivan, Director of Communications at International Headquarters (717) 326-1921.

Sincerely,
Stephen D. Keener
President