Wacky Rumor: If you don't volunteer to help in the league you have to pay a $250 fine!

Debunked: While that would be great motivation, the story is wacky! Every parent is required to volunteer in our league at some capacity but we have no fines for those who do not. Basically, if you can't volunteer, your kid can't play in the league. We can guess where the rumor started. One of the categories of league volunteer support is team sponsorship - which is a $250 commitment.

Wacky Rumor: Board of Directors members receive a stipend.

Debunked: EVERY position in Little League is required to be done on a volunteer basis by Little League rules. Board members volunteer their time and lots of it; monthly meetings year round and hundreds of hours in support. Parents are always welcome to attend monthly Board of Director meetings.

Wacky Rumor: The draft system is fixed to favor certain coaches.

Debunked: C'mon now, this is a league for little kids. The draft puts every team in the same position. Siblings and coaches' kids are frozen to the teams of their relatives but that doesn't mean it's "fixed." Having two brothers on two different teams in the same division would be a major pain. Also, Moms and Dads volunteer to coach because they want to be with their kids.

Wacky Rumor: They make up the rules as they go along.

Debunked: This is a funny one. The Official Little League Rule Book is 85+ pages long! Some coaches take the time to learn it cover to cover while others are unfamiliar. ALL of the rules we follow are right there in black and white. If you're really curious, get a rule book and look through it. You'll be amazed how specific it is. Yes, we make mistakes every year ... but we try to go by the book.

Wacky Rumor: They have so much money they don't know what to do with it.

It costs the Jack Barry Little League $90 per child to provide the program we provide. We meet this need through registration ($40), fundraising ($20), and then business sponsorships and concessions. What do we spend the money on? Here's a sampling of only a few expenses:

• Baseballs - $2.50 each (70 dozen) - $2,200
• Uniforms - All levels of play $9,100
• Utilities & Maintenance - $7,200
• Trophies/PlaquesPicnic - $2,000

Then there's Charter fees, replacing equipment, upgrading facilities, expansion, building .... It's a lot of work and more than $35,000 a year.

Wacky Rumor: Those coaches are abusive to kids.

Each coach has a different coaching style. Some of our coaches are loud. Have you ever tried to direct 12-14 elementary aged kids in the midst of learning a sport? Sometimes you have to be loud. Being loud and directive is different than being abusive. Our league does not tolerate abuse - emotional, verbal or physical. Before spreading rumors about a coach, always take the time to fairly evaluate. Does he verbally assault kids? Does he purposely embarrass kids and tear them apart? That's abuse. But, if he's just loud in giving instructions or yells, "Get down on it! Keep your head down!" that is not abusive. Please discuss your concerns with the coach or league officials before ripping our volunteer coaches apart with others.

Wacky Rumor: They will do anything to win. It's all about winning.

Each level is different. Tee-ball teams do not keep score. Minor teams keep score but no win/loss records are kept. Major (Regs) league competes for the league championship. Each level offers more competition. Little League teaches its players to "Strive to win, but win or lose, I will always do my best."

Anything to win? Coaches that knowingly and consistently break the rules by pitching ineligible pitchers, or breaking other rules, will be replaced.

However, coaches will help their teams and players strive to win at the upper levels. At major league levels and beyond they will pitch their strongest pitchers, play their strongest fielders more and put their strongest batters in order while being sure to play every player in every game. Younger players gain experience and get more playing time as they mature.

It's all about developing loyalty, character and courage in our players so that, win or lose, they will be good sports.

Wacky Rumor: That team is stacked!

Every year we have teams that are stronger than others. Team A might have been 2-13 in 1997, 10-5 in 1998 and 13-2 in 1999, Meanwhile team B was 13-2 in 1997, 8-7 in 1998 and 2-13 in 1999. It tends to go in cycles with every player having the opportunity to grow through playing on a week team and then on a stronger team in another year. Some coaches  end up with a motivated team that loves to practice and improves immensely. Others have players who are less motivated and practice only at team events. Coaches are responsible for drafting their players and putting their teams together. If one team is dominant it is most likely due to draft selection, motivation, coaching and age of the players. Next year they won't be as strong as they lose their 12 year olds.

Wacky Rumor: The umpires never get the call right, why don't we have paid umpires.

Finding adults in the league community who are inclined to accept the responsibility of umpiring is not easily accomplished. Jack Barry makes every effort to get the best volunteer umpires it can. Umpires receive special training before the season begins to help them perform and grow with their umpire role. It is imperative that parents and coaches treat the umpire with the utmost respect regardless of their performance on the field.

As a volunteer umpire they are doing their best in a position that is not always appreciated. Managers must accept the umpires calls, not say negative comments or incite parents or players, remind both players and coaches that they do not win or lose a game because of a bad umpire call. Also, they must remind parents and players that the umpires are performing a valuable volunteer service to the league. Plate umpires make between 250-300 calls per game, if a few are missed I think we can survive.

Negative comments, verbal abuse, or physical abuse is not acceptable under any circumstance. The league will enforce disciplinary action whenever such actions occur.

Payment for umpire services do not guarantee competency. All other adult service is volunteer in nature and there is no valid reason to reimburse an umpire for a parallel service. Importantly such fees impose a financial strain on the league's budget.