2007 Safety Plan

Northshore American Little League

“Working Together for Safety”

Northshore American Little League
P.O. Box 1764
Bothell, Washington 98041-1764

www.northshorell.com

Safety Program Introduction

The Northshore American Little League Safety Program was first introduced during the 1997 season. Little League Baseball, Inc. in Williamsport, Pennsylvania guides this program.
The purpose is to provide safety education and training to managers, coaches, umpires, parents and players to prevent and eliminate injuries. With all of us working together, our players will enjoy a safe and positive experience while playing Little League baseball.
The Northshore Little League Board of Directors wishes to thank you in advance for you cooperation in making this program work for everyone involved.

Northshore Safety Organization

The Northshore Little League will elect on an annual basis a Safety Officer who is a member of the Northshore Little League Board of Directors. The Safety Officer shall administer the Safety Program.
The Northshore Little League shall publish and distribute a Safety Manual to all managers, coaches, team safety parents, umpires and any other individual who requests prior to the start of each baseball season.
In case of a critical emergency, the 911 emergency system shall be used. The phone numbers of all Northshore Little League Board Members as additional emergency contacts will be provided to each manager, coach, team safety parent, umpire prior to the start of each baseball season. In addition, e-mail links can be accessed at the League’s website (www.northshorell.com).
It is the policy of the Northshore American Little League Board that each team at every level designates at least one individual as a Safety Parent.
Pre-season first aid training for all managers, coaches and Safety Parents is required.

Safety Education and Training

The Northshore American Little League will provide opportunities to managers, coaches,umpires and Safety Parents to improve their safety education and training skills. The following opportunities will be provided free of charge (or reimbursed):

Manager / Coach / Umpire / Safety Parent Safety Orientation at start of each season.
Publish and provide a copy of the Safety Manual to each participant.
First Aid / CPR Training
(Cost of training reimbursed by NSLL)
- Overlake Hospital Medical Center
  (Adult First Aid and CPR Workshop)
  1035 116th Ave. NE Bellevue, WA 98004
  425-688-5959
  www.overlakehospital.org
- Evergreen Hospital (First Aid Class for Coaches)
  425-899-3000
Big Al - Little Al Baseball Clinics.
Coaches Effectiveness Training with Dr. Frank Smoll.
Umpire Training Clinics.

Safety Parent

Each team will be responsible for designating a Safety Parent. Parents with expertise in the medical and safety fields are excellent candidates, although not a necessary requirement. The Safety Parent becomes the liaison between the team and the League.

Safety Officer

The other important duties and responsibilities of the
Safety Parent are:

Check the team equipment a minimum of once each week for wear or damage.
At all games, perform equipment and player safety checks.
On a regular basis, inspect the personal equipment of each team player for wear or damage and ensure that it meets all required regulations.
Make sure that equipment fits each player properly.
Remove all damaged equipment from use and return it to the League Equipment Manager for disposal and replacement.
Inspect the playing field for unsafe conditions prior to every game and practice.
Be alert to safety hazards that may be present around the field of play, as well as spectator and parking areas.
Administer first aid to injured players.
Ensure that Accident Reports are filled out properly and submitted in a timely manner to the League Safety Officer.
Ensure that a cellular phone and a first aid kit are available for use at all practices and games in the case of emergency.
Encourage all coaches, parents and players to “Play It Safe”.

Facilities and Equipment

Prior to the start of each season the annual Little League Facility Survey shall be completed and submitted to Little League Baseball, Inc. This survey will help to provide a focus for the league facility safety plan.

Currently the Northshore Little League does not operate a concession stand at its facilities so concession stand safety procedures are not addressed at this time.

The Safety Officer and League Equipment Manager shall inspect all equipment prior to the start of any baseball season. Defective or damaged equipment shall be properly disposed of and replaced prior to issuing any equipment to teams for use.

Practice and Game Safety Checklist

An inspection of the field prior to the start
of any practice or game shall be made.

The following procedure shall be followed:

Before The Practice

Inspect the field for unsafe conditions. Report any problems to the League Safety Officer or Field Coordinators for immediate attention.
Make sure players are not wearing any jewelry or metallic objects.
Make sure catchers are wearing the proper equipment.
Monitor the field for safety and play ability at all times.
Manager/Coaches/Team Safety Parent shall inspect equipment for damage and to make sure it meets regulations.

Before The Game

Umpires and Manager Meet at Plate

Introduce umpires and manager.
Discuss any local playing rules including time limits.
Discuss unsportsmanlike and improper conduct by the coaches or players.
Inspect the field for unsafe conditions.
Discuss calling of game due to weather or darkness.
Make sure players are not wearing any jewelry or metallic objects.
Make sure players are in full uniforms with shirts tucked in and hats on.
Manager/Coaches/Team Safety Parent shall inspect the equipment for damage and to make sure it meets regulations.

During The Game

Umpires and Managers

Encourage manager/coaches to help speed play by having players on the bench prepared and ready to take the field.
Make sure catchers are wearing the proper equipment.
Monitor the field for safety and play ability at all times.
Keep the game moving - limit warm up to 10 pitches between innings.
No arguing of any call made by the umpire - especially judgment calls.
Managers are responsible for keeping their players and fans on their best behavior.
Umpires should be in position to make all calls loud and clear.

Safety Objectives

The Number One goal of the Northshore American Little League is safety education to prevent all injuries.

All managers, coaches, team safety parents, umpires and players shall abide by the Northshore American Little League Safety Code as follows:

Northshore American Little League Safety Code of Conduct

Availability of emergency medical services in advance of all practices, games and team activities. The Northshore American Little League Community is served by 911 for all emergency services.
First Aid Kits are provided to each team and make sure they are available on the field at all practices and games.
Games and practices should be held only when weather, field and light conditions will provide a safe playing environment.
Inspect all playing areas for holes, broken glass and other foreign objects before beginning play.
Only managers, coaches and umpires should be permitted on the field during practices or games.
All players and spectators should be Alert and watching the batter on every pitch during practices and games. Especially, be Alert at all times for Foul Balls and Errant Throws.
Equipment should be inspected regularly and properly fitted to the player.
Dugouts and bat racks should be positioned behind screens.
Responsibility for keeping bats and loose equipment off the field of play should be that of a player assigned for this purpose.
A procedure should be established for retrieving foul balls batted out of the playing area.
During warm-up drills players should be spaced so that no one is endangered by wild throws or missed catches.
Catchers must wear catcher’s helmet and mask with a throat protector, long chest protector, shin guards and protective supporter (boys). When warming up pitchers between innings and in the bullpen, a catcher must wear a catcher’s helmet and mask with a throat protector.
Players with glasses should be encouraged to wear safety glasses and eyeglass retainer straps (provided by parents).
Mouth guards are encouraged (provided by parents).
Protective supporters (boys and girls) are encouraged (provided by parents).
No player will be left unattended by an adult at the conclusion of practices or games. Ensure that an acceptable adult picks up each player before leaving the practice or game area.
Batters must wear protective NOCSAE helmets during practice, as well as during games.
Except when runner is returning to a base, head first slides are not allowed.
During slide practice bases should not be strapped down and should be located away from the base anchoring system.
During games, all players must remain in the dugout area in an orderly fashion at all times.
Only a player on the field and at bat may swing a bat (Age 5 – 12). Seniors (Age 13 and up) on the field or on deck may swing a bat. Be Alert of the area around you when swinging a bat while in the on deck circle.
Maintain a safe speed in roadways and parking lots at all Northshore Little League functions. Watch for small children around parked cars!

REMEMBER: PLAY IT SAFE !

Northshore American Little League has established the following safety procedures to be followed during any medical situation:

Northshore American Little League Safety Procedures

In Case of a Medical Situation:
(NOTE: BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR ORIGINAL MEDICAL RELEASE FORMS WITH THE TEAM AT ALL TIMES)

Give first aid as necessary and have someone call 911 immediately if needed.

Know your limitations and error on the side of caution.
Notify parents immediately if they are not at the scene.
Talk to your team about the situation if it involves them. Often players are upset and worried when another player is injured. They need to feel safe and understand why the injury occurred.
Notify the League Safety Officer by phone of injury as soon as possible.
Fill out a Northshore Little League Injury Report Form and submit within 24 hours. Submit this form for any injury even if 911 is not called. Copies of this form are included in this manual.
Northshore Little League insurance is supplemental to your own insurance policy.
Claims must be filed with the League Safety Officer.

Communicable Disease Procedures

While risk of one athlete infecting another with HIV/AIDS during competition is minimal, there is a remote risk other blood borne infectious disease can be transmitted.

Procedures for reducing the potential for transmission of infectious agents should include,but not be limited to the following:

Bleeding must be stopped, the open wound covered and if there is any blood on the uniform it must be changed before the athlete may participate. Coaches are encouraged to bring an extra uniform to games.
Routine use of gloves or other precautions to prevent skin and mucous membrane exposure when contact with blood or other body fluids is anticipated.
Immediately wash hands and other skin surfaces if contaminated (in contact) with blood or other body fluids. Wash hands immediately after removing gloves.
Clean all blood contaminated surfaces and equipment with an appropriate disinfectant before competition resumes. Contact the Safety Officer to obtain the necessary cleaning solution to fully disinfect the uniform.
Practice proper disposal procedures to prevent injuries caused by needles, scalpels and other sharp instruments.
Although saliva has not been implicated in HIV transmission, to minimize the need for emergency mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, or other ventilation devices should be available for use.
Athletic trainers or coaches with bleeding or oozing skin conditions should refrain from all direct athletic care until the condition is resolved.
Contaminated towels should be properly disposed of or disinfected.
Follow acceptable guidelines in the immediate control of bleeding and when handling bloody dressings, mouth guards or other articles containing body fluids.

Bio-Waste Disposal Procedures

Clean up area. Follow instructions on Body Fluid Cleanup Kit.
Place all contaminated material inside RED BAG. Seal up Bag.
Do not throw sealed bag in dumpster. It must be disposed of properly.
Deliver the sealed bag to the local Bothell Fire Department. Give bag to a Firefighter at the Fire Station - do not leave it at the door for them to find when they return to quarters.
Make sure someone at your practices and games has a cellular phone to use!

Final Safety Reminder

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF SAFETY

BE ALERT!
CHECK PLAYING FIELD FOR SAFETY HAZARDS.
WEAR PROPER EQUIPMENT.
ENSURE EQUIPMENT IS IN GOOD SHAPE.
ENSURE FIRST AID IS AVAILABLE.
MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE SITUATION.
MAINTAIN DISCIPLINE.
SAFETY IS A TEAM SPORT.
BE ORGANIZED.
HAVE FUN!

Prevention is the key to reducing accidents. The Northshore American Little League Board, managers, coaches, parents and players must work as a team to establish a philosophy that “Safety is Number One”. It is imperative that every individual involved with Northshore American Little League make safety an integral part of their behavior, actions and instructions to the players. We owe it to our children to provide a safe and fun environment for them to learn and enjoy our national past time.

Always remember to “PLAY IT SAFE!”

Northshore American Little League Board Attachments

Medical Release Form—

This form needs to be filled out and signed by the parent (or guardian) of each player. It is required that these forms are available at all practices and games in the event of a medical emergency.

Preliminary Accident Report—

This form is completed by the team Safety Parent for each injury sustained on the playing field. This applies to both regular season and tournament play. Copies are also filed with the district. The objective is to establish a paper trail documenting all injuries. It also provides Little League with vital information as to the number and nature of all injuries incurred, even those not submitted as claims to CNA insurance.

Little League Insurance Coverage Summary—

This document provides information about the important aspects of the Little League endorsed insurance program. We have also included the C.N.A. Little League Accident Notification Form.

Volunteer Application—

Northshore American Little League requires that all volunteers (i.e. manager, coach, umpire, league official, etc.) complete this form for review by the Board of Directors. Prior to approval, a background check may be conducted.

Defective Equipment Form—

When a piece of newly purchased equipment (purchased within the current season) is found to be damaged, a form is completed with the original going to the purchaser (league or parent). A copy is filed with the district and another copy is shipped along with the defective equipment and the purchase receipt to the manufacturer for exchange. The form is proof to the manufacturer that the equipment was removed from a Little League sanctioned event. The district safety officer’s name address and phone number appear on the form so the manufacturer can make contact if there is a question.

Safety Inspection Summary—

This is included in the Washington District 8 Safety Plan and lists equipment specifications, types of damage that will eliminate a piece of equipment from use during play or practice, Little League safety rules and first aid procedures for the tournament. By notifying teams of these requirements prior to their arrival at a tournament, it gives them the opportunity to replace damaged equipment or acquire new before traveling.