Who's coaching your kids?

Published May 15, 2010.

Watching her 5-year-old son participate in a Tot Ball practice last week, Brandi Cline said she feels her boys are safe playing sports for the Republic Parks and Recreation Department.

But the Republic resident expressed concern about the organization's lack of background checks for volunteer coaches.

Cline watched her son and 11 others play tee-ball with 11 adults on the field helping the 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds with guidance.

"I'm surprised about that," Cline said after learning the city does not check its prospective coaches. "I just assumed they all did that."