2024 Season ASAP Safety Plan

Mission Statement

Board of Directors

Safety Policy

            A Introduction

            B What to Report

            C When to Report

            D How to Report

            E General Safety Guidelines

            F Dos and Don’ts

Player Equipment

Communicable Diseases

Lightning, Rain, and Hot Weather

Violence During Games

First Aid

Concession Stand

Expectations

LEWISBURG LITTLE LEAGUE MISSION STATEMENT

Lewisburg Little League baseball teaches children to hold dear good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, and respect for their communities. By living these values on the field, our young athletes grow up and become effective leaders and model citizens off the field. 

LEWISBURG LITTLE LEAGUE BOARD

SAFETY POLICY

Introduction 

Welcome to the 2024 season of Lewisburg Little League Softball and Baseball (LLL). LLL strives to provide a fun and safe environment for the enjoyment of the games of softball and baseball. Our league is a nonprofit organization run solely by volunteers. Please report all hazardous conditions to the LLL Safety Officer (Ayn Kerber) immediately. Don’t play on a field that is not safe or with unsafe equipment. Be sure your players are fully equipped at all times, and please request supplies to restock your team’s first aid kits when necessary. 

What to report

An incident that causes any player, manager, coach, umpire, or volunteer to receive medical treatment and/or first aid must be reported to the Director of Safety.

When to report

All such incidents described above must be reported to the Director of Safety within 48 hours of the incident. Ayn Kerber can be reached by phone at 919-280-5759.

How to make the report

Reporting incidents can come in a variety of ways. Most typically, they are telephone conversations. At a minimum, the following information must be provided: 1 - The name and phone number of the individual involved. 2 - The date, time, and location of the incident. As detailed a description of the incident as possible. 3 - The preliminary estimation of the extent of any injuries. 4 - The name and phone number of the person reporting the incident.

General Safety Guidelines for Practices and Games

• Managers, coaches, and umpires should have some training in first-aid.

First Aid Kits are available in each team’s equipment bag. Please ask to be resupplied as needed

• No games or practices should be held when weather or field conditions are poor, particularly when lightning is in the area.

• Play areas should be inspected frequently for holes, damage, glass and other foreign objects.

• All team equipment should be stored within the team dugout, or behind screens, and not within the area defined by the umpires as “in play.”

• Only players, managers, coaches, and umpires are permitted on the playing field or in the dugout during games and practice sessions. Pre- and post-game field assistance may be provided by individuals outside of these roles.

 • Responsibility for keeping bats and loose equipment off the field of play should be that of a player assigned for this purpose or the team’s manager and coaches.

• Procedures should be established for retrieving foul balls batted out of playing area.

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

• 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 and not within areas that are frequented by, and thus endanger spectators.

• Equipment should be inspected regularly for the condition of the equipment as well as for proper fit.

• Batters must wear Little League approved protective helmets during batting practice and games.

• 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) for all practices and games. NO EXCEPTIONS.

• Headfirst slides are not permitted. (12 years and under.)

• During sliding practice, bases should not be strapped down and should be located away from the base anchoring system.

• At no time should “horse play” be permitted on the playing field.

• Parents of players who wear glasses should be encouraged to provide “Safety Glasses.”

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

• The catcher must wear a catcher’s helmet and mask with a throat guard in warming up pitchers. This applies between innings and in the bullpen practice.

• On-deck batters are not permitted (except in Juniors & Seniors Division).

Dos and Don’ts

Do . . .

Reassure and aid children who are injured, frightened, or lost.

Provide, or assist in obtaining, medical attention for those who require it.

Know your limitations.

Carry your first-aid kit to all games and practices.

Keep your “Prevention and Emergency Management of Little League Baseball and Softball Injuries” booklet with your first-aid kit. https://cdn1.sportngin.com/attachments/document/623a-1771408/YouthBaseballandSoftballInjuries.pdf

Assist those who require medical attention – and when administering aid, remember to . . .

LOOK for signs of injury (blood, black-and-blue deformity of joint, etc.)

LISTEN to the injured describe what happened and what hurts if conscious. Before questioning an injured person, you may have to calm and soothe an excited child.

FEEL gently and carefully the injured area for signs of swelling, or grating of broken bone.

Don’t . . .

Administer any medications

Provide any food or beverages (other than water)

Hesitate in giving aid when needed

Be afraid to ask for help if you’re not sure of the proper procedures (i.e., CPR, etc.)

Transport injured individuals except in extreme emergencies

Leave an unattended child at a practice or game

Hesitate to report any present or potential safety hazard to the Director of Safety immediately

**Have your player’s Medical Clearance Forms with you at all games and practices!**

PLAYER EQUIPMENT

The Equipment Manager shall be responsible for ensuring that the inventory of player equipment is of acceptable quality, in good condition and safe for play. Each year before issuing equipment, the Equipment Manager shall inspect all bats, gloves, catcher’s equipment, batting helmets etc. to be issued to players and managers. Any damaged equipment, or equipment found not to fully meet safe standards should be repaired or discarded. No incomplete or damaged equipment is to be issued to players or managers. Each manager, upon receiving his/her equipment shall inspect all equipment to ensure that it is in good repair, complete, and safe to use. Any equipment found not to be so shall be returned to the Equipment Manager to be fully repaired or destroyed and discarded. The Equipment Manager shall replace any such equipment.

Prior to the beginning of each season, the Equipment Director, VP Baseball and VP Softball will inspect each storage shed and box to ensure that proper storage conditions exist and that all equipment and supplies are complete and in good repair. Among the items are:

• Scoreboard Controllers

• Bases

• Umpire equipment

Game Field Preparation

It shall be the responsibility of the home team to inspect and prepare the field for play before

each game.

Infield preparation shall include:

• Fill low spots, especially around bases, plate and mound that may be a hazard.

• Find base pegs and install bases, ensuring that bottoms are flush with the ground.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

While risk of one athlete infecting another with HIV/AIDS during competition is close to non-existent, there is a remote risk other blood borne infectious diseases can be transmitted. Procedures for reducing the potential for the transmission of infectious agents should include, but not be limited to the following: 1 - Use gloves or other precautions to prevent skin and mucous membrane exposure when contact with blood or other body fluids is anticipated. Bleeding must be stopped, the open wound covered and if there is any excessive amount of blood on the uniform it must be changed before an athlete may return. 2 - Immediately wash hands and other skin surfaces if contaminated (in contact) with blood or other body fluids. Wash hands immediately after removing gloves or use hand sanitizer. 3 - Clean all blood contaminated surfaces and equipment with a solution made from a proper dilution of household bleach (CDC recommends a 1 to 100 solution or other disinfectant) before competition resumes. 4 - 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. 5 - Contaminated towels should be disposed of/disinfected properly. 6 - Follow acceptable guidelines in the immediate control of bleeding and when handling bloody dressings, mouth guards and other articles containing body fluids. 7 - Practice proper disposal procedures to prevent injuries caused by needles, scalpels and other sharp instrument or devices. 8 – Athletic trainer/coaches with bleeding or oozing skin should refrain from all direct athletic care until condition resolves. 9 – Bleeding must be stopped, the open wound covered and if there is any excessive amount of blood on the uniform it must be changed before athlete may participate

LIGHTENING, RAIN, AND HOT WEATHER

Thunderstorm: IF YOU CAN HEAR THE THUNDER, YOU CAN BE HIT BY LIGHTNING. Once the leading edge of a thunderstorm approaches to within 10 miles, you are at immediate risk due to the possibility of lightning strikes. On the average, thunder can only be heard over a distance of 3 to 4 miles, depending on humidity, terrain, and other factors. This means that by the time you hear the thunder, you are already in the risk area for lightning strikes. The ultimate truth about lightning is that it is unpredictable and cannot be prevented. Therefore, a manager, coach, or umpire who feels threatened by the approaching storm should stop play and get the kids to safety, regardless of whether or not the lightning can be seen or not, or the 15 second or less time between the flash and the sound has occurred.

For the majority of participants, the best area for them to seek shelter is in a fully enclosed vehicle with the windows rolled up. Avoid high places and open fields, isolated trees, unprotected gazebos, dugouts, flagpoles, light poles, bleachers, metal fences, and water. When in doubt, the following rule of thumb should be applied:

WHEN YOU HEAR IT – CLEAR IT!  WHEN YOU SEE IT – FLEE IT!

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. Evaluate the playing field as it becomes more and more saturated. Stop practice if the playing conditions become unsafe—use common sense. If playing a game, consult with the other manager and the umpire to formulate a decision.

Hot Weather: Precautions must be taken in order to make sure the players on the team do not dehydrate or hyperventilate. Suggest players take drinks of water when coming on and going off the field between innings. If a player looks distressed while standing in the hot sun, substitute that player and get him/her into the shade of the dugout ASAP. If a player should collapse as a result of heat exhaustion, call 9-1-1 immediately. Get the player to drink water and use the instant ice bags supplied in your First –Aid kit to cool him/her down until the emergency medical team arrives.

VIOLENCE DURING GAMES

Recent events from around the country have indicated that the threat of violence against sports officials, coaches and managers from spectators is an all too real possibility. The League does not condone this type of activity in any manner and the following guidelines are established to try and prevent any unfortunate situations. If a spectator is becoming excessively loud and unruly or it is felt that they might threaten or act in a violent manner, the umpire of the game will immediately stop play. After play is stopped, the umpire will consult with the team managers to try and determine if the spectator is affiliated with either team. If this is the case, the manager will be asked to speak with the offending individual to try and calm them down. If this does not work, at the umpire’s discretion, the game will be called and the incident referred to the Executive Board of the League for possible action, up to and removal from the field. If the individual cannot be identified with a team or the officials at the game feel that the individual poses a real threat to the safety of any player, official or spectator, the police will be immediately notified to deal with this person. Under no circumstances should any League official attempt to restrain or get into a confrontation with an unruly individual. Our goal is to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone

First Aid

First-Aid means exactly what the term implies—it is the first care given to a victim. It is usually performed by the first person on the scene and continued until professional medical help arrives, (9-1-1 paramedics). At no time should anyone administering First –Aid go beyond his or her capabilities. Know your Limits! The average response time on 9-1-1 calls is 5-7 minutes. En-route paramedics are in constant communication with the local hospital at all time preparing them for whatever emergency action might need to be taken. You cannot do this. Therefore, do not attempt to transport a victim to a hospital. Perform whatever First-Aid you can wait for the paramedics to arrive. First-Aid kits: First Aid kits will be available to each team at the beginning of the season. The first aid kit should become part of the teams equipment package and shall be taken to all practices, batting practices, games and any other little league event where child safety is at risk. To replenish material contact the leagues safety officer. First Aid kits and this safety manual must be turned in at the end of the season along with your equipment package.

CONCESSION STAND

Lewisburg Little League requires all Parent Volunteers to operate the concession stand in accordance of the laws of Pennsylvania. Volunteers should be familiar with safe food preparation and proper hand washing techniques. Each Parent Volunteer should attend a training session with the Concession Manager prior to working the stand for the first time. No one under the age of 18 should be in the stand without adult supervision and no one under the age of 16 should be preparing food or handling money.

Concession Guidelines

All Volunteers will have access to manuals concerning safe food handling, preparing, and hand washing.

All concession stand equipment will be inspected regularly by Concession Manager.

1.      Hand washing should be done prior to handling any food, after handling any food, after using the restroom, and after handling money.

2.      Food must be cooked to 160 degrees F.

3.      Cold food should be kept in the refrigerator.

4.      Food that is expired should be discarded immediately.

B.     Concession Equipment

1.      All equipment should be inspected regularly to check for defects.

2.      Any equipment that is damaged to not be used.

3.      The Concession Manager should be contacted immediately regarding any broken equipment.

C.     Compliance

1.      Know where the exit is located.

2.      Wash hands accordingly

3.      Keep a watch on children.

4.      Clean the stand at the end of the shift.

5.      Make sure there is a fire extinguisher located in the concession stand.

6.      Report on broken equipment to Concession Manager

EXPECTATIONS

What do managers and coaches expect from players?

To be on time for all practices and games

To always do their best whether in the field or on the bench

To be cooperative at all times and share team duties

To respect not only others, and themselves as well

To be positive with teammates at all times

To try not to become upset at their own mistakes or those of others, we will all make our share this year and we must support one another

To understand that winning and losing are equally important lessons to teach the players, as both are important parts of any sport

What do players and their families expect from managers and coaches?

To be on time for all practices and games

To be as fair as possible in giving playing time to all players

To do the best job possible to teach the fundamentals of the game

To be positive and respect each child as an individual

To set reasonable expectations for each child and for the season

What LLL expects of parents and spectators 

To show positive support to all players

To teach all children to play fair and to do their best

To positively support all managers, coaches, umpires, and players

To respect the decisions of umpires

When criticizing the program be willing to volunteer their services to improve the problems they identify

Demonstrate that they recognize the effort expanded by the volunteer personnel by refraining from unsportsmanlike behavior

Recognize the little leaguers are children, not professional players, and need encouragement

Congratulate the winners, encourage the loser.

Enjoy the game for what it is- Fun!

Emergency Numbers

For all Emergencies, please dial 911

Non Emergency Numbers

Buffalo Valley Regional Police Department - 570-524-4302

William Cameron Engine Company - 570-524-2295

Pennsylvania State Police - Milton - 570-524-2662