Parents and coaches with Katy American Little League say an ordinary look at public tax records turned into a gut-check moment, after they spotted that a listed league director has a past theft case in public records. The discovery hit in the middle of the season, just as teams are fundraising and ordering uniforms, and several volunteers say their trust in how the league is run has taken a serious knock.
As reported by Click2Houston, parents, coaches, and current and former board members noticed the name while reviewing the league's federal tax filings. That has set off a wave of calls for transparency, explanations, and a closer look at who is in charge of the money.
Who Is on the 990?
According to ProPublica, the league’s 2024 Form 990 lists a director named Randy Welch, and the filing is available for public review. The document shows officer names along with basic financial totals for the league’s fiscal year.
League Site and Local Reaction
The league's official website lays out fields, schedules, and a "Financial Overview" tab, and lists a Morton Ranch Road contact address. Parents and former volunteers say that seeing a name on the 990 that is linked in public records to a prior theft case has ramped up pressure on the board to explain how league funds are tracked and spent, according to Click2Houston.
What Little League Rules Require
Little League International requires local leagues to run annual background checks through J.D. Palatine for managers, coaches, and board members as part of its Child Protection Program. Those checks are built around player safety, including sex-offender registries and disciplinary databases, and are not designed to audit or monitor a local league’s finances, according to Little League International.
How to Review the Books
Form 990s are public documents, and the IRS requires nonprofits to make their returns available. ProPublica hosts the league’s filing for download. Parents and donors who want answers can request the league’s recent 990, ask to see internal reconciliations, or press the board for an independent financial review.
Legal Context
A prior theft case showing up in public records does not automatically mean a conviction or any ongoing wrongdoing. Details such as case outcomes, dismissals, or expungements have to be confirmed through official court records. If credible allegations arise that funds were misused, law enforcement or civil authorities would handle any criminal or civil claims, while governance steps such as audits and stronger financial controls are common responses for volunteer-run nonprofits.
For now, parents say they want a clear accounting and a prompt, straightforward response from the board before the league moves deeper into the season. The filings and reporting are public, and the league’s Form 990 and related documents remain available online for anyone who wants to take a closer look.
