How NNLL Scored Big with Sports Connect’s JDP Background Check Integration
Featuring Laura Zuniga, President, North Natomas Little League
Getting volunteers cleared to be on the field is one of those behind-the-scenes challenges that every league faces. North Natomas Little League has found a smooth solution using the built-in JDP background check integration with Sports Connect.
Based in Northern California, North Natomas Little League supports over 900 players across baseball and softball. With such a large league comes a significant need for volunteers, and an even greater need to ensure those volunteers are approved, safe, and ready before opening day.
That’s where Laura Zuniga steps in.
Laura has been a member of the North Natomas board for three years, first as treasurer and now as league president. In her current role, she helps oversee registration, coordinate with families, and support the team of volunteers who keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.
This past spring was North Natomas’ first season using Sports Connect, and Laura says the timing couldn’t have been better.
“We finally had a system that made sense for how we work.”
“Having JDP built right into the registration was a huge win for us,” she said. “We didn’t have to track people down later or send a bunch of follow-up emails. Everyone who registered as a volunteer had already completed that initial check, which meant we had more people ready to go on day one.”
Between coaches, assistant coaches, team parents, scorekeepers, and more, the league depends on a large number of cleared volunteers each season. Laura shared that in the past, manually tracking approvals was one of their biggest challenges.
“Now it just flows with registration. It’s a no-brainer.”
Laura’s Advice for Other Leagues
For leagues just getting started with the JDP integration, Laura recommends leaning into the built-in process and communicating early with families.
“If you can explain to people how the background check works and why it’s important, most are happy to take care of it during registration,” she said. “We also post a list of approved volunteers for each team, so there’s no confusion about who is allowed on the field.”
Her biggest takeaway is that the more you simplify the process, the more volunteers step up to help.
Volunteer Management, Simplified
Laura credits much of the league’s smooth spring season to the volunteer and safety coordinator on her board, who manages both background checks and fingerprinting requirements. But the process itself is far easier now that they have a centralized list of approved volunteers in Sports Connect.
“The biggest win is just knowing who’s cleared and ready,” she said. “There’s less guesswork, less back and forth, and more peace of mind.”
Go-To Tools That Make a Difference
When she’s not connecting with families or organizing the league, Laura turns to Sports Connect training sessions and online guides to stay sharp. She also has a surprising secret weapon.
“I actually use ChatGPT when I’m stuck,” she laughed. “Sometimes I’m working on something after hours and don’t know where to look. It helps point me to the right Sports Connect articles or walks me through a task.”
More Bandwidth for What’s Next
Now that North Natomas has solid systems in place, Laura and her board have been able to explore other features, like umpire scheduling, which she says has been a total game-changer.
Her advice to other organizations that might be feeling hesitant about switching platforms?
“Don’t be afraid of change. It might feel like a big lift at first, but once you get started, it honestly makes life easier for everyone. Our board, our families, even our volunteers are all in a better place now.”
For North Natomas Little League, embracing the JDP background check integration within Sports Connect has been a game-changer. It simplified a complex volunteer screening process, saved countless hours of follow-up, and helped the league build a larger, safer pool of volunteers. The key? Clear communication with families and trusting the built-in system to handle the heavy lifting. Take it from Laura – once you embrace it, you’ll wonder how you managed without it.
And if your league wants some advice from someone who’s been there?
“Reach out. I’m always happy to share what worked for us.”
Want to connect with Laura? Feel free to reach out at president [at] nnll [dot] org.
Want to learn more about Sports Connect’s integration with JDP? Explore these helpful resources:
- Help Guide and Video: Little League JDP Background Check Verification Process
- Visit the Help Center for more tips and tutorials
