Each Little League program is organized within a community. As part of a league’s annual charter it establishes its own boundaries to operate and support, providing children who reside or attend school within those boundaries the opportunity to participate within the league.

All league personnel, including the elected board members and officers, and each of the managers, coaches, umpires, auxiliary, field workers, etc., should be volunteers interested in providing the benefits of a Little League program to the youth of their community. Each volunteer must complete an annual volunteer application and submit to a national criminal background check to be eligible to participate as a league volunteer.

Each league is autonomous and guided by a Board of Directors, usually five to 25 adult volunteers from the community.

Although Little League regulations do not prohibit payments to umpires or other personnel, such employment is strongly discouraged. Those who work with children at the local league level should be interested only in volunteering their time to make their community a better place.

The local league Board of Directors, elected from and by the adult members of the league, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the league within the rules, regulations, and policies of Little League. The local league is encouraged to become incorporated, but it is not required.

Local Little Leagues are also provided with a suggested structure for organization, elections, etc., known as the league’s “Constitution.” Each league’s Constitution must be reviewed and approved at the Regional level.

Little League International proudly protects the integrity of each player, each team, and each community. Little League programs operate within specific boundaries for each league’s territory to permit participation by all eligible youngsters within the boundaries. Adults in communities where no chartered Little League programs/divisions exist can organize a program with help from the League Development Department at Little League International.

Although leagues may assess a registration fee, used to purchase uniforms and equipment, maintain fields, etc., the fee cannot be a prerequisite for playing. The Little League philosophy does not permit any eligible candidate to be turned away. Emphasizing the spirit of Little League, rules require that every child plays in every game.