It's August ... get out those clipboards, pens, folders, binders, cameras!

For the past six weeks, most ball fields and local parks have probably seen a team or two at practice and possibly a skills camp here or there. But August is upon us so the park where my daughter's team practices is now dotted with yellow and orange portable goals and teams are squeezed into all available space.

Families are fitting in last minute vacations. Dormant projects at work are starting to resurface. Your mailbox is starting to fill up with school bus schedules and school supply ads.

And managers, awoken from their June and July of occassional emails and fretting over their teams division placement, scurry about with clipboards, folders, binders, and cameras trying to track down that last elusive signature and photo ...

Multiple things are going on — let's break it down:

Rosters — due as soon as possible to the registrar (check your league site's calendar!).

Managers will need to get player registration forms, player cards and photos. My advice is to email the forms to the parents for signature and then set few practice times that you'll be there with extra forms and pens to collect and check. Keep a running checklist of who has signed what. Double check a form when it is handed to you because things are often missed - signatures are most important. Any missing info can be handwritten in later but you need the signatures!

Proof of age is usually last year's MSYSA card or ORIGINAL birth certificates or passports.

For photos, I've found it works better to ask for electronic files since it is easier resize and print at home than to ask for actual photos from parents. Find a photo-savvy parent and get their help. If you are missing a couple of photos, take a camera to practice and take it yourself! Full front, clear photos. AND these cannot be the same photo as last year!

Don't forget the coaches' and manager cards and forms. Note that beginning this fall, MSYSA also requires a copy of the license of the head coach!

Pay attention to the information on the MSYSA site about what to take the registrar and make it EASY for them. The registrar is a volunteer just like you so be polite, get them the forms early and be organized. A good relationship with a registrar is essential!

Other stuff (due before the season starts):

Medical forms are essential. And YES get them notarized. It may not be necessary all the time but is certainly helpful to have if it a tournament requires it later.

Code of Conduct forms. Encourage the parents to review this with their player. After all, an essential part of sports is sportsmanship so make sure they know the expectations. Most of our kids won't get that athletic scholarship we all secretly hope they will. However, teaching good sportsmanship will serve them well throughout their lives.

STARS (U12-U13) - make sure your STARs are up to date on their licenses!

Gentle reminders about uniforms, etc. are helpful. (By the way, does your own kid need new cleats, etc.? It's easy to forget your own when trying to manage a team!)

Start setting up an online calendar with auto-reminders for the fall. Look into phone trees or mass phone/text systems (callingpost.com is cheap).

Tournaments and the season are a few short weeks away!Enjoy the last few weeks of summer and the hustle and bustle of the pre-soccer, pre-school time. Once we hit Labor Day, it's full speed ahead through Thanskgiving!

I can't wait.