Website Manager

Safety Program

Northshore Little League - Safety Program

The Northshore Little League Safety Program is intended to help parents and other volunteers provide a high level of safety for children in the league. NSLL recognizes parents have the primary responsibility for the safety their children. The NSLL Safety Program is intended to help parents keep their children safe and to provide guidance to other volunteers in furtherance of that objective.

Please read the NSLL safety plan here. The Safety Plan for the current season will be substantially similar, but with updates for various events.

Safety Procedures and Forms

Medical Release Form

Every player's parent should fill out a Medical Release Form and deliver it to the Player's Manager before practices begin each season.

Accident Reports

If a player is injured during any NSLL event, the Player's parent should promptly complete a Preliminary Accident Report and deliver it to the League Safety Officer. If the injury involves a suspected concussion, or other head injury, the parents and other adults involved must follow the NSLL Head Injury Policy.

If an injured player's parent has any reason to suspect the player's injuries may require medical attention, or may not fully and quickly resolve, the parent should complete the "Accident Notification Form" and deliver it to Little League International not later than 20 days after the event.

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

All volunteers who may come in contact with the children of the league (i.e. manager, coach, umpire, safety parent, league official, etc.) must provide specific information and authorize a criminal background check before beginning any work with the players. This information is collected when registering as a volunteer.

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.

Concussion Information

Zackery Lystedt Law - Parent and Athlete Concussion Information Sheet
Adapted from the CDC and the 3rd International Conference on Concussion in Sport
Document created 6/15/2009

A concussion is a brain injury and all brain injuries are serious. They are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a blow to another part of the body with the force transmitted to the head. They can range from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works. Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolonged brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly. In other words, even a "ding" or a bump on the head can be serious. You can't see a concussion and most sports concussions occur without loss of consciousness. Signs and symptoms of concussion may show up right after the injury or can take hours or days to fully appear. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms or signs of concussion yourself, seek medical attention right away.

Symptoms may include one or more of the following:
  • Headaches
  • "Pressure in head"
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Neck pain
  • Balance problems or dizziness
  • Blurred, double, or fuzzy vision
  • Sensitivity to light or noise
  • Feeling sluggish or slowed down
  • Feeling foggy or groggy
  • Drowsiness
  • Change in sleep patterns
  • Amnesia
  • "Don't feel right"
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Sadness
  • Nervousness or anxiety
  • Irritability
  • More emotional
  • Confusion
  • Concentration or memory problems (forgetting game plays)
  • Repeating the same question/comment

Signs observed by teammates, parents and coaches include:
  • Appears dazed
  • Vacant facial expression
  • Confused about assignment
  • Forgets plays
  • Is unsure of game, score, or opponent
  • Moves clumsily or displays incoordination
  • Answers questions slowly
  • Slurred speech
  • Shows behavior or personality changes
  • Can't recall events prior to hit
  • Can't recall events after hit
  • Seizures or convulsions
  • Any change in typical behavior or personality
  • Loses consciousness


What can happen if my child keeps on playing with a concussion or returns to soon?

Athletes with the signs and symptoms of concussion should be removed from play immediately. Continuing to play with the signs and symptoms of a concussion leaves the young athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury. There is an increased risk of significant damage from a concussion for a period of time after that concussion occurs, particularly if the athlete suffers another concussion before completely recovering from the first one. This can lead to prolonged recovery, or even to severe brain swelling (second impact syndrome) with devastating and even fatal consequences. It is well known that adolescent or teenage athlete will often under report symptoms of injuries. And concussions are no different. As a result, education of administrators, coaches, parents and students is the key for student-athlete's safety.

If you think your child has suffered a concussion

Any athlete even suspected of suffering a concussion should be removed from the game or practice immediately. No athlete may return to activity after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without medical clearance. Close observation of the athlete should continue for several hours. The new "Zackery Lystedt Law" in Washington now requires the consistent and uniform implementation of long and well-established return to play concussion guidelines that have been recommended for several years:

"a youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time"

and

"...may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed heath care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and received written clearance to return to play from that health care provider".

You should also inform your child's coach if you think that your child may have a concussion Remember its better to miss one game than miss the whole season. And when in doubt, the athlete sits out.

For current and up-to-date information on concussions you can go to: http://www.cdc.gov/ConcussionInYouthSports/