Erik Wayne Edwards - Keeping Score at Little League - Typical lies about the nature of his crimes

"We advised them of this and we were told that he was 18 and she was 16 and that there's no problem here," Allen said, recalling the response from Riverfield league officials.


But Court documents tell a different story about 34-year-old Erik Wayne Edwards, whose picture is also on the Indiana sex offender registry. Edwards was charged with six counts of molesting a 12-year-old girl in the fall of 1997. He was convicted of a single count and spent more than two years in prison.


A central Indiana Little League program is under investigation by its international offices.

An upset parent called foul after learning a scorekeeper for a couple of Chesterfield teams is a convicted sex offender. A drive lined with signs about good citizenship leads to the home of the Riverfield Little League in Chesterfield.

But on the same field where fair play is touted, parent Phil Allen says league officials are failing to go to bat for the safety of young players. During a recent tournament, Allen learned a team "volunteer" is a convicted sex offender.

"We advised them of this and we were told that he was 18 and she was 16 and that there's no problem here," Allen said, recalling the response from Riverfield league officials.

But Court documents tell a different story about 34-year-old Erik Wayne Edwards, whose picture is also on the Indiana sex offender registry. Edwards was charged with six counts of molesting a 12-year-old girl in the fall of 1997. He was convicted of a single count and spent more than two years in prison.

Now, he keeps scorebooks for a couple of Riverfield's teams comprised of girls and boys.

"No comment," said Edwards.

"Absolutely horrified. I mean there's 300-400 kids out here at a time. If he's done it once, why wouldn't he do it again?," questioned Allen.

Based on 2009 Little League rules and regulations: "No local league should allow a person to participate in any manner if there background check reveals a conviction or guilty plea for any crime involving or against a minor."

They can't even volunteer.

Edwards says he only kept score as a parent.

In a statement, League Director Darryl Smith says Edwards "has been upfront. He has, on occasion, kept the score book...and walked across the field to talk to another scorekeeper. I can understand parent concerns...we asked him two weeks ago not to do it anymore."

Allen says Edwards' background came out just in time. His duty to register with the sex offender registry expires next year.

STATEMENT FROM LITTLE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL

Our regulations prohibit any person who appears on a sex offender registry, or who has been convicted of any crime involving or against a minor, from having any duties or responsibilities, or holding any position whatsoever in a local Little League. There are no exceptions to this, as the regulation is well known among our leagues and has been in place for several years. A league that knowingly violates this regulation risks the likelihood of having its Little League Charter immediately revoked.

"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"
.........Sarah Tofte