With millions of dedicated volunteers across more than 80 countries stepping up to the plate to make every season the best experience possible, Little League® recognizes its role as the largest and most trusted youth sports organization to emphasize the importance of the safety and well-being of our Little Leaguers®. As we recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, Little League is spotlighting several resources available to both parents and volunteers that promote safety, including the new Little League SAFE and SAFE to Play initiatives, launched at the start of 2026.
“As an industry leader in keeping youth athletes safe, it is important for Little League to continue to evolve and provide additional ways for our local leagues and communities across the globe to build and maintain safe programs,” said Joy Reynolds McCoy, Little League Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer. “Throughout April, and during the entire year, we remain committed to raising awareness around the safety and well-being of the children in our program while equipping both parents and volunteers with the tools that allow them to join us in our goal of preventing abuse from happening within our league and communities.”
From the Little League Child Protection Program to the various Mental Well-Being Resources, check out key initiatives, information, and educational tools available to parents, volunteers, and leagues, to support the safety of Little Leaguers across the globe:
NEW FOR 2026: Little League SAFE and SAFE to Play
Launched in 2026, Little League SAFE supports leagues in building a strong, informed approach to safety at every level of the game. Organized around four core safety pillars – Child Protection, Physical Safety, Mental Well-Being, and Local League Risk Management – Little League SAFE offers practical guidance, training, best practices, and resources that help leagues prepare volunteers, support players, and foster a safe environment that promotes fun and growth.
To support these four pillars, several new tools and training have been developed to make safety planning for leagues easier and more effective, including the SAFE Summary Builder, a free Safety Awareness Training, a free First Aid Awareness Training, and an updated Annual Facility Survey.
SAFE to Play is Little League’s new annual compliance and recognition program, setting the standard for how leagues demonstrate safety readiness each season, communicate expectations within their community, and qualify for either the AIG Accident Insurance Credit, the Musco-Funded SAFE to Play Grant Program, or the SAFE to Play District Incentives, Supported by AIG.
Through May 15, local Little League programs have the opportunity to apply for two grants as part of the new Little League SAFE to Play Grant Program, providing financial support to help leagues strengthen safety and reduce injury risk within their local programs. Funding for these grants is made possible through Musco Lighting’s ongoing commitment to safety, preparedness, and player well-being across Little League.
Additional information about these awards and incentives, as well as the entire Little League SAFE and SAFE to Play initiatives, can be found at LittleLeague.org/SAFE.
Child Protection Program
The Little League Child Protection Program offers local leagues a comprehensive approach to educating, preventing, and responding to abuse. From defining key terms and outlining local league requirements to providing the key steps for mandatory child abuse reporting, the Little League Child Protection Program provides the necessary tools for local leagues to create an environment as safe as possible for their players.
Every local Little League program must adhere to the requirements of the Child Protection Program and utilize the additional resources provided to customize its own program to protect its participants, which meets the unique needs of the league. To help educate parents, Little League also has the Parents’ Guide to the Child Protection Program, providing a snapshot of the program along with tips on how to report suspected abuse.
Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation
In an effort to provide additional education and support, Little League has also proudly partnered with the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation to help end the cycle of domestic violence and to empower victims to live healthy lives. Check out this inspiring video featuring Joe Torre himself and learn what you can do to help by visiting JoeTorre.org.
Abuse Awareness Training
Launched in 2024 as a replacement for the programs previously available through third-party organizations like USA Baseball, the Little League Abuse Awareness Training Course provides local league volunteers with a customized training course at no cost to satisfy the annual training requirement necessary to be a Little League volunteer. Learn more and take the training today by visiting LittleLeague.org/AbuseAwareness.
Mental Well-Being Resources
As part of the Little League program, all our leagues are focused on providing high-impact learning and developmental activities that shape the most formative years of a child’s life. One of the most important aspects that we must always consider is the mental health and well-being of the Little Leaguers in our leagues and communities, and what we can do to support them. To assist our leagues, LittleLeague.org/MentalWellBeing has a variety of resources, guidance, and tools to help support the mental health and well-being of parents, volunteers, and most importantly, our players, including the “Six Innings Interview: Mental Well-Being Spotlight with MLB and Crisis Text Line.”
ESPN Public Service Announcement
In addition to all the resources above, Little League also teamed up with ESPN to put together a public service announcement (PSA) that aired throughout the course of the summer in 2024, showcasing the importance of the Little League Child Protection Program throughout the tournament season with more than 340 games broadcast across the ESPN Platforms.
To learn more about the Little League Child Protection Program, including additional resources such as State-by-State Laws regarding Background Checks, Child Abuse, Concussions, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest, visit LittleLeague.org/ChildProtection.