Consumer Protection Partnership
Because families deserve more than a place to complain.
The ATBATS Youth Sports Consumer Protection Partnership.
Because families deserve more than a place to complain. They deserve a system that actually protects them.
The ATBATS Youth Sports Consumer Protection Partnership is a formal network of state-level consumer protection authorities, legal advocates, and regulatory partners working alongside ATBATS to bring meaningful accountability to the travel baseball and softball industry. When ATBATS standards are violated and families are harmed, the Partnership ensures there is real recourse — not just a review left on a website.
ATBATS is building the Partnership state by state — starting in Michigan and expanding nationally.
Partnership Benefits
For Players
When a program fails to meet development standards, benches players without documentation, or violates participation commitments — the Partnership creates a formal pathway to investigate and remediate. Every player's right to a fair development experience is backed by more than a certification badge.
For Families
When you pay thousands of dollars and your child does not receive what was promised — the Partnership gives you real options beyond walking away. Documented complaints submitted through ATBATS are formally referred to consumer protection authorities who have the power to investigate, fine, and require restitution from bad actors.
For Coaches and Programs
For the vast majority of coaches and programs doing things right — the Partnership is your protection too. When a family makes an unfair or false complaint, the ATBATS documentation process and Partnership review creates a fair, evidence-based adjudication — not a he-said-she-said social media dispute.
For Teams and Organizations
ATBATS certified programs operating in Partnership states have an additional layer of credibility — their certification is recognized by consumer protection authorities as evidence of good faith operational standards. That recognition protects organizations from frivolous complaints and strengthens their standing in any dispute.
For the Sport
The Partnership creates the systemic accountability that travel baseball and softball has never had. Bad actors face real consequences. Good actors are recognized and protected. Families make informed decisions. The sport reforms from the inside out — not through regulation imposed from outside, but through standards adopted from within.
Advocacy With Elected Representation
ATBATS advocates directly with state and federal elected officials to advance consumer protection legislation specific to youth travel sports. Families and coaches who have been failed by the current system deserve more than a platform to document their experience — they deserve laws that protect them before harm occurs. ATBATS works with legislators to establish minimum standards for program registration, fee transparency, participation guarantees, and financial accountability across every state where travel sports are played.
How the Partnership Works
Family Submits Documented Complaint
Through the ATBATS platform — with supporting evidence, stat data, payment records, and communication history. The platform structures the complaint so it is actionable from day one.
ATBATS Reviews and Verifies
Every complaint is reviewed against ATBATS standards and certification requirements. Verified complaints are escalated. Unsubstantiated complaints are returned with feedback. No complaint disappears into a void.
Partnership Referral
Verified complaints involving financial harm, systematic misconduct, or patterns of abuse are formally referred to the appropriate consumer protection authority in the program's state — with ATBATS documentation attached.
Resolution and Accountability
Partnership authorities have the power to investigate, fine, require restitution, and in severe cases pursue legal action against bad actors. ATBATS tracks outcomes and publishes aggregate accountability data annually.
Legislative Advocacy
ATBATS aggregates complaint data, certification outcomes, and consumer protection findings into an annual Youth Sports Accountability Report — submitted to state and federal elected officials as the evidence base for meaningful legislative reform. Every documented complaint helps build the case for the protections families deserve.
ATBATS Partner States
Active Partner State
Consumer protection authority has formal Partnership agreement with ATBATS. Complaints are actively referred and reviewed.
Engaged State
Consumer protection authority in active Partnership conversation with ATBATS.
Coming Soon
ATBATS expanding Partnership outreach to this state.
ATBATS is building the Partnership one state at a time — beginning with Michigan. If you are a consumer protection advocate, legal professional, or public official interested in bringing the Partnership to your state, contact us at info@atbats.org
ATBATS Legislative Priorities
The protections travel sports families deserve — and the legislation ATBATS is working to make real.
Mandatory Program Registration
Requiring all travel sports programs collecting fees above a defined threshold to register as a legal entity in their state — eliminating the unregistered operators who currently face zero accountability.
Fee Transparency Requirements
Requiring programs to disclose how family fees are allocated before registration opens — making budget transparency a legal requirement, not just a best practice.
Participation Guarantee Standards
Establishing minimum participation standards for travel programs — so families paying equal fees receive equitable opportunity for their children to play, develop, and be evaluated fairly.
Mandatory Insurance Requirements
Requiring all youth travel sports programs to carry minimum liability and participant accident insurance — protecting players and families from operators who currently carry no coverage at all.
Written Contract Requirements
Requiring programs to provide families with written agreements before fees are collected — including refund policies, participation commitments, and program standards — making verbal promises legally enforceable.
Coach Background Check Mandates
Requiring background checks for all adults in supervisory roles in youth travel sports programs — establishing a baseline protection for young athletes that currently does not exist in most states.
ATBATS submits an annual Youth Sports Accountability Report to state and federal elected officials documenting consumer protection failures, certification outcomes, and complaint patterns — building the evidence base that turns these priorities into law.
Travel Ball and Little League. Better Together.
The friction between travel baseball and softball and recreational leagues has gone on long enough. Both serve vital roles in developing young athletes and building a lifelong love of the game. ATBATS works with Little League organizations and recreational leagues to create informed pathways, reduce competitive friction, and ensure every family — whether they choose recreational, travel, or both — feels supported rather than pressured. We believe the future of youth baseball and softball is a unified community, not a divided one. ATBATS is building the bridge.
Clear Pathways
Helping families understand the difference between recreational and travel ball — and how both can coexist in a young athlete's development.
Shared Standards
Working with recreational leagues to align on coaching conduct, participation standards, and family communication — raising the bar across all levels of the game.
Reduced Friction
Advocating for scheduling cooperation between travel programs and recreational leagues so kids don't have to choose one over the other.
Be Part of Building This.
Join the founding ATBATS community and help shape the future of youth baseball and softball.