Website Manager

Freemansburg Bethlehem Township Athletic Association

News Detail

4

Apr, 2019

New Coach Clearance Procedure

FBTAA is implementing a new coach clearance procedure for the 2019 season in response to rule changes from Babe Ruth and the passage of the Safe Sports Act. 


As per Babe Ruth League, Inc:

Babe Ruth League, Inc.

Latest Rule Changes for 2019
Last Updated 12/6/2018

The International Board of Directors has approved the following rule changes beginning with the 2019 season. These changes will be reflected in the 2019 Babe Ruth League, Inc. Rules and Regulations.

Part 1 – Rules modified to meet the standards of the Safe Sports Act

  1. Rule 0.01, Paragraph 7 – Background Checks (Cal Ripken Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball, Babe Ruth Softball) - Once a volunteer has successfully completed and passed background screening, it is valid for a two (2) year period.
  2. Rule 0.04 – Paragraph 5 (Cal Ripken Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball, Babe Ruth Softball) – Babe Ruth League, Inc. rostered managers and coaches in all Divisions are required to complete coaching education, a nationwide background screening, and Abuse Prevention Training in accordance with the Safe Sports Act.


The above items are to be completed in addition to the mandatory PA State clearances.

FBTAA will be utilizing JDP as our new Nationwide Background Check Provider starting in 2019. Coaches will no longer need to submit New or Returning Volunteer paperwork and/or copies of their drivers license in order for us to process their background check. Now, the coaches will be emailed a link where they will enter their own personal information and process their own background check.

All Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches in all divisions will now be required to complete the coaching certification course if they have not already done so. Remember, this is a one and done course which is valid for the coach's entire career in Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth. As in the past, any coach who needs to complete the certification course will be emailed a link to the course once we receive all background check clearances.

One final thing that all coaches will be mandated to complete is Abuse Prevention Training to satisfy the requirements of the Safe Sports Act. The Safe Sports Act is a federal law that expands existing mandated youth abuse reporting laws and requires abuse awareness training for youth sports organizations. FBTAA is working on identifying a training course which will satisfy these requirements and will roll it out to all coaches as soon as possible.

No coach will be allowed on the field until ALL clearance paperwork and required courses are completed.


Below are the links to the PA Volunteer clearance documents that are needed for you to be cleared to coach.

Child Abuse - Free to volunteers - few days to get results

PA Background Check - Free to volunteers - few days to get results

NOTE: The PA Child Abuse and PA Criminal History clearances are valid for 60 months

PA Finger Prints - Only if you have not lived in PA for the last 10 years - there is a fee for this and it will take a few weeks

PA Act 15 Volunteer Affidavit - Must be filled out by everyone

Once you have these items gathered up, please email a copy to Steve Felix - [email protected]