Safety Plan » Greater Wildwood Little League

Purpose

The purpose of the Greater Wildwood Little League Safety Plan is to provide every child of Little League age the opportunity to play baseball/softball in the safest possible conditions. Although there are inherent risks of injury in the games, we will strive to minimize those risks by incorporating and renewing this Safety Plan every season.

SAFETY OFFICER

The Greater Wildwood Little League Safety Officer is a board position that provides a direct link between the Board and the managers, coaches, umpires, players, and any other third parties regarding safety matters. The main responsibility of the GWLL Safety Officer is to develop, implement, and communicate the League’s safety program to all involved.
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The GWLL Safety Officer’s responsibilities shall include but are not limited to:

Post and distribute any relevant Little League ASAP (A Safety Awareness Program) newsletters to team managers.
Assist parents and individuals with insurance claims and will act as the liaison between the insurance company and the parents/player.
Maintain statistical log of where accidents and injuries occur, to whom, in which division, at what times and under what supervision.
Maintain a statistical log of “near misses” to ensure there are no re-occurrences.
Share information on accidents and “near-misses with District staff.
Distribute a copy of the Safety Manual to all managers at the beginning of each season.
Inspect playing fields for potential safety hazards and notify appropriate persons for necessary corrective action.
Make First- Aid and CPR training available to managers and coaches.
Review and update the safety plan annually.
Assure that first aid kits are included with equipment distribution for each team and are present at games/practice.
Assure that all volunteers have completed the background statements and are verified through Choice Point.
Act immediately to resolve unsafe or hazardous conditions.
Complete the annual Little League Facility Survey prior to the start of the season.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS AND BACKGROUND CHECKS

Little League approved Background Checks will be required for all volunteers, including, but not limited to board members, managers, coaches, team parents, and anyone else who has direct contact with children. The purpose of the background check is to ensure that children are protected from anyone who has committed a sexual offense against a minor.

Prior to the start of the season, anyone who desires to volunteer will be required to complete an application form and submit a photocopy of their driver’s license or other government identification to verify their identity.

MANAGER AND COACH TRAINING

Prior to the start of every season, Greater Wildwood Little League will offer training for mangers and coaches for the purpose of teaching the fundamentals. At least one representative from each team will be required to attend the training. Managers and coaches are encouraged to attend the Manager’s Umpires Clinic each year.

FIRST AID TRAINING

A manager or coach from each team will also be required to attend first aid, CPR/AED training prior to the start of the season. Training qualifies the volunteer for a period of three years; however, a representative from each team must still attend very year. The Safety Officer will coordinate dates and times for training.

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT:

Prior to the start of the season the Equipment Manager will inspect all equipment for safety defects before it is distributed to the managers. Defective equipment shall be discarded.

GENERAL SAFETY AND RESPONSIBILITY

Safety is the responsibility of all managers, coaches, and parents.

Each manager, coach, team parent and player shall use proper reasoning and care to prevent injury to him/herself and to others.

No games or practices are to be held when weather or field conditions are poor, particularly when lighting is inadequate.

Managers and umpires shall inspect playing area before games and practices for holes, damage, stones, glass and other foreign objects and repair or remove any obstacles.

Team equipment will be stored within the team dugout or behind screens, and not within the area defined as “in play”.

Only players, managers, coaches, umpires and team parent are allowed on the playing field or in the dugout during games.

Managers and coaches are responsible for keeping bats and loose equipment off the field of play. It is recommended the manager designate a different player this responsibility each game.

During practice and games, all players should be alert and watching the batter on each pitch.

Batters must wear Little League approved protective helmets with face masks (exception Junior League) during batting practice and games while batting and when on base.

At no time will horseplay be permitted in the dugout or on the field.

Managers and coaches may not warm up pitchers.

A catcher must wear catcher’s helmet, mask throat guard, long model chest protector, shin guards and protective cup with athletic supporter at all times. (Males) No exceptions.

Managers and coaches should encourage all male players to wear protective cups and supporters for practices and games.

Except when runner is returning to a base, head first slides are not permitted.

Never hesitate to report any present or potential safety hazard to the GWLL Safety Officer.

Always insure a cellular phone is available when a game or practice is held.

No smoking is allowed on baseball fields or dugouts.

No one is allowed to play baseball with open wounds. Wounds should be treated and properly bandages.

Players shall not be alone in the dugout. A coach or parent shall be assigned to the dugout at all times.

Observe the “no on-deck” rule for batters and keep players behind screens at all times.

During warm-up drills players should be spaced so that no one is endangered by wild throws or missed catches.

All pre-game warm-ups should be performed within the confines of the playing field.

Managers and Coaches should inspect equipment regularly for the condition of each piece and proper fit. Any equipment deemed unsafe shall be made unusable to stop children from attempting to use it.

Parents or players who wear glassed should be encouraged to provide “safety glasses”.

Players must not wear watches, rings, pins, or metallic items during games and practices.

Managers and Coaches should inspect the bases to ensure that they disengage from their anchors.

Accident Reporting

An incident that causes any player, manager, coach, umpires, or volunteer to receive medical treatment and/or first aid must be reported to the League Safety Officer or the League President in the event the Safety Officer is not available. Such incidents will be reported within 24 hours of the incident.

Near Misses should be tracked in the same manner to avoid any future re-occurrences.

Please be prepared to provide the following information:

the name, address and phone number of the individual(s) involved
the name and phone number of the reporting manager/coach
the date, time and location of the incident
a detailed description of the incident
the preliminary estimation of the extent of the injuries

He or she will verify the information, obtain any other information deemed necessary, and check on the status of the injured party. The Safety Officer will complete the accident/insurance forms for submission.

In case of an emergency call 911 Police/EMS/Fire

Wildwood Crest non emergency police 522-2456
Wildwood non emergency police 522-0222
North Wildwood non emergency 522-2030

Please notify the safety officer if any emergency calls are made.

WEATHER

The managers and umpire assigned will determine if the field is playable.

Managers/coaches should listen to current weather forecasts the day of any game and be alert to changing weather conditions.
If inclement weather is forecasted, it is recommended that prior to starting the game an adult be appointed to monitor the weather conditions as they appear on the horizon.

RAIN

If it begins to rain:
Evaluate the strength of the rain. Is it a light drizzle or is it pouring?
Determine the direction the storm is moving.
Periodically evaluate the condition of playing field.
Stop play if conditions become unsafe. Managers are to consult with the umpire, of which the umpire makes the final decision.
If the umpire and managers decide to postpone, wait 20 minutes from this point before making a decision to cancel the game.

LIGHTNING

When lightning is observed or thunder is audible, all outdoor activities will be suspended for 30 minutes.

Stay away from metal including fencing and bleachers and do not hold metal bats.

All players, coaches and managers will return to their vehicles for this period of time.

If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, or the thunder is audible, or lightning is observed after 30 minutes, conditions should be deemed unsafe. Managers are to consult with the umpire, of whom the umpire makes the final decision, all field activities will cease and everyone should directed to return home.

HEALTH AND WELL BEING

HYDRATION

Good nutrition is important for children. Sometimes the most important need is water, especially when they’re physically active. During the season encourage players to drink fluids every 15 to 30 minutes. If a player looks distressed while standing in the hot sun, substitute that player and get them into the shade as soon as possible.

CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT

In the event you suspect that one of your players is a victim of abuse/neglect; you should immediately contact the League President or Safety Officer for possible follow up with local law enforcement.

FIRST AID

Inspect your first aid kit and what it contains before it becomes necessary to use it. Additional kits or supplies can be obtained from the Safety Officer. First Aid is the first care given to a victim. Know your limits when rendering care.

CHECKING A VICTIM, WHERE DO I START?

If the victim is conscious, ask them what happened. The victim may be able to tell you what happened and how he or she feels. This information helps determine what care may be needed. Never be in a hurry to move any victim, the ground is firm and works like a splint. Then do the following:

If the victim is unconscious, call 911 and request an ambulance, and obtain what happened from them bystanders.
Check the victim from head to toe so you don’t overlook any problems.
Do not ask the victim to move or move the victim yourself until the check is completed.
Examine the scalp, face, ears nose and mouth.
Examine the arms and legs for cuts, bruises, bumps or depressions.
Watch for changes in consciousness.
Notice if the victim is drowsy, not alert or confused.
Look for changes in the victim’s breathing. It should be regular, quiet and easy.
Notice how the skin looks and feels. Note if the skin is reddish, bluish, pale or gray.
Feel with the back of your hand on the forehead to see if the skin feels unusually
damp, dry, cool or hot.
Ask the victim again about the area that hurts.
Ask the victim to move each part of the body that doesn’t hurt.
Check the shoulders by asking the victim to shrug them.
Ask the victim if they can move fingers, hands and arms.
Think of how the body usually looks. If you are not sure if something is out of shape, check it against the other side of the body.
When you have finished checking, if the victim can move their body without any pain and if there are no other signs of injury, assist them in sitting up.
When the victim is ready, assist them to their feet.

SNACK BAR

The snack bar coordinator trains the snack bar staff on health and safety procedures. It is the coordinators responsibility to ensure all safety placards i.e. (Choking, hand washing, etc.) are in place. It is also the coordinators responsibility to advise the Safety Officer of any safety or other equipment necessary to operate a safe and healthy establishment.

Snack bar must be kept clean and neat.

No one under 18 should be in the snack bar without an adult present.

Staff must be properly trained in the use of all equipment.

All refrigerators must maintain a temp. of 40 degrees and freezer must maintain a temp. of 10 degrees or below.

Domestic Hot Water must be kept at a temperature to guarantee proper sanitation of utensils and regulated to a temperature not to exceed 110 degrees in hand washing area to avoid a scalding hazard.

Properly charged and rated fire extinguishers on site at all times

Floors must be kept clean and grease free to avoid slipping hazard.

All soda secured for safety.

Everything wiped down nightly.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Code Of Conduct is distributed to all parents, and posted on the website gwll.org. Managers/Coaches are instructed to remind parents and players of the Code of Conduct at their team meetings.