Page 1. York County Little League 2017 Safety Plan

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1 Page 1 York County Little League 2017 Safety Plan

2 Page 2 York County Little League 2017 Safety Plan

3 Page 3 York County Little League 2017 Safety Plan

4 Page 4 York County Little League 2017 Safety Plan

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6 York County Little League 2017 Safety Plan Page 6

7 Table of Contents Page York County Little League Board of Directors 8 Local resources 9 Welcome 10 Mission Statement 10 Philosophy 10 Safety 11 Importance of Safety 11 Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) 12 Quick Reference for Safety Rules 13 o Everyone o Coaches o Umpires o Spectators Training Requirements 22 First Aid Kit Guidelines 23 Dugout and Field Safety 24 Player Safety 25 Concussion Policy Statement 26 Emergency Procedures 27 Accident Notification & Reporting Procedures 44 Guidelines for Practices and Games During Inclement Weather 49 o Rain o Thunder and Lightening o Heavy Winds o Tornados o Hot Summer Days Volunteer Applications and Background Checks 53 Concession Stand Policy 54 Food Poisoning 57 Facility Survey 58 Page 7

8 2017 York County Little League Board of Directors Position Name Address President Eric Henegar Secretary Jessica Henegar Player Agent Chris Adkins Treasurer Chris Smith Safety Officer Michael Holland Equipment Jessy Martin Dave O Brien equipment@ycll.net VP Baseball Thomas Evans vpbb@ycll.net VP Softball Becky Sherman vpsb@ycll.net Webmaster Kevin Campbell webmaster@ycll.net Sponsorship Brad Reeves sponsors@ycll.net Umpire in Chief Brian Grondin uic@ycll.net Master Scheduler Dave Scarborough schedules@ycll.net Coed Tee Ball Jason Thomas teeball@ycll.net Coach Pitch Softball Neal Draper cpsb@ycll.net Minor Softball Neal Draper minorsb@ycll.net Major Softball Neal Draper majorsb@ycll.net Senior Softball Chris LaFlamme jrsrsb@ycll.net Coach Pitch Baseball VACANT cpbb@ycll.net Coach/Player Baseball Ryan Dudley coachplayerbb@ycll.net Minor Baseball Aaron Secrist minorbb@ycll.net Major Baseball Dave Scarborough majorbb@ycll.net JR/SR Baseball Kevin Campbell jrsrbb@ycll.net Page 8

9 Local Resources: Local Resources Phone Number York County Fire & EMS 911 York County Sheriff 911 Virginia State Police (VSP) Crime Line Child Abuse Hotline Poison Control Center Riverside Regional ER Mary Immaculate ER Sentara Careplex ER York County Parks & Rec Complex Weather Hotline York County School Div YCLL Safety Officer Page 9

10 This document is available for board members, managers, coaches and volunteers of the York County Little League. York County Little League is part of the Virginia District 7 Little league. YCLL league number is York County Little League (YCLL) Baseball and Softball YCLL is a community organization chartered by Little League International. YCLL provides a positive, instructional and community based baseball/softball experience for boys and girls between the age of 5 and 16. These programs are guided by a volunteer board of directors and are operated independently from the York County Parks and Recreation. Little league baseball and softball has been an important part of the York County community for over xx years. Since children at this age develop at different rates, the program is designed to help them learn and improve their skills at their own pace. YCLL offers the following division levels of play: Mission Statement YCLL is a non-profit organization run totally by volunteers. Our mission is to provide a safe environment where children can learn and play the game of baseball and softball. We will accomplish this by focusing on player and coach development, providing excellent communication and creating a level field of play where all children can compete and have fun. Little League Pledge I trust in God. I love my country and will respect its laws. I will play fair and strive to win. But win or lose, I will always do my best. Little league Parent/Volunteer Pledge I will teach all children to play fair and do their best. I will positively support all managers, coaches and players. I will respect the decisions of the umpires. I will praise a good effort despite the outcome of the game. Philosophy The purpose of little league is to develop ball players by stressing basic baseball and softball fundamentals and appropriate attitudes towards games on the field and to encourage teamwork along with good sportsmanship. Each player, in all divisions, will be treated equally within the rules of Little League Baseball and Softball and in consideration of his or her playing abilities. Page 10

11 Safety In order to ensure an enjoyable environment, it is imperative that we provide a safe environment for everyone involved in this organization. This safe environment will require the help from everyone (parents, managers, coaches, players, board members, etc.). The 2017 Safety Officer Michael Holland shall complete the Annual Little League facility Safety Survey for 2017 and submit the documents to Little League International for review and approval. This safety manual will be posted on our website and a copy will be made available to anyone who requests the document. Please read, learn and follow the safety instructions in this manual, so that YCLL can provide a safer baseball/softball experience to all our players and volunteers. It should be understood that the Safety Officer can make changes, with the approval of the YCLL Board of Directors (BOD), to this manual during the season. If there are such changes made, all managers, coaches and volunteers will be made aware of the changes Importance of Safety The purpose of this document is to emphasize the importance of safety in YCLL and to identify important safety plans to which individuals should be aware. YCLL BOD, managers, coaches, volunteers and parents should take safety issues very seriously. Little League International has introduced a safety awareness program (ASAP) with the goal of reemphasizing the position of the Safety Officer to create awareness through education, information and other opportunities to provide a safe environment for all players and volunteers of little league baseball and softball. This program has very successful by dramatically decreasing baseball and softball related injuries during the little league season. This 2017 Safety Plan is reviewed and approved by the Little League ASAP Program. Page 11

12 A Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) YCLL participates in the ASAP program sponsored by Little League International. YCLL is continuously in communication with other surrounding little league organizations to provide our players and volunteers the safest environment possible. Safety is a constant changing and growing area of concern that should never be overlooked by anyone. There are several points to address in this safety plan in order to make it ASAP compliant. The information beyond ASAP is available by contacting the YCLL Safety Officer. In addition, this document will be made available upon request. The following is a list of several important features of the safety plan: YCLL shall have an active Safety Officer on file with Little League International. The 2017 YCLL Safety Officer is Michael S. Holland and can be reached at the following number, (757) or safety@ycll.net Any questions regarding this plan and little league safety can be directed to the safety officer. The YCLL Safety Officer and President of YCLL shall submit league player registration data, play roster data and coach/manager data All accidents and safety violations must be reported to the Safety Officer within 24hrs of initial incident. Timely reporting of accidents and safety issues is a key factor in promptly dealing and mitigating safety issues. A report will be documented by the league and reported to the District 7 Safety Officer. Officials and coaches must participate in district sponsored basic first aid clinics. Managers and coaches are mandated to attend once every three years. YCLL is being proactive with managers and coaches taking the CDC Heads Up Training Course that can be done online before the start of the baseball and softball season. YCLL is recommending that this training is an annual requirement for all managers and coaches. All board members, managers, coaches and volunteers who have repeated access to players and teams of YCLL will fill out and submit a 2017 Volunteer Application and a copy of their driver s license for a background check. YCLL will conduct a criminal background check on all prospective volunteers utilizing the following sources: o o First Advantage Failure to fill out the 2017 volunteer application will result in the individual being denied for any baseball or softball activities. All managers and coaches are encouraged to participate in a fundamental coach s clinic when they are announced by the league. Prior to each practice or game, managers, coaches and umpires will walk the field to inspect for any hazards. Managers, coaches and umpires must remedy all hazardous conditions prior to the start of the game Managers and coaches must be sure to have a stocked first aid kit available. YCLL will require regular inspection of baseball and softball equipment. Replacement of defective equipment must be done immediately by contacting the Equipment Manager or any YCLL BOD member. The equipment checks will be done by three sources: o The equipment manager at the beginning of the season Page 12

13 o Managers and coaches at the beginning of each game or practice o Umpires prior to and during the course of games Quick Reference Safety Rules Hydration Allow water breaks every 15 to 30 minutes and allow players to obtain a drink when they feel it is needed before the scheduled break. We usually think about dehydration in the summer months when the hot temperature shortens the time it takes for players to become overheated. Keeping players well hydrated during the cool days is just as important. Additional clothing worn on the cold days makes it difficult for sweat to evaporate, so the body does not cool as quickly. It does not matter if its January or July, thirst is an indicator of fluid intake needs. Therefore, players must be encouraged to drink fluids even when they do not feel thirsty. Page 13

14 Everyone No games or practices shall be held when weather or conditions of the playing field are poor. Especially when lightning and thunder is present. This includes any unauthorized baseball or softball fields that were not identified on the 2017 Facility Survey. During regular practice and games, all players should be alert at all times. Only players, managers, coaches and umpires will be permitted on the playing field or in the dugout during the game. All managers, coaches and umpires must have completed a 2017 volunteer application and background check conducted by the YCLL Safety Officer. All players need to have adequate water or other refreshments to keep hydrated at all practices and games especially during the summer. Alcohol and tobacco products are forbidden on any little league field. Page 14

15 Managers/Coaches The manager is the person appointed by the President of York County Little League to be responsible for the team s actions on the field and to represent the team s communication with the umpire and the opposing team. The manager is ultimately responsible for his/her team s conduct, observance of official YCLL rules and regulations and deference to the umpires. If the manager is not present at a game or practice, an approved coach shall be designated to fulfill these duties. Responsibilities of the Manager/Coach include the following: Appoint a volunteer to serve as the Team Safety Officer (TSO) Attend a mandatory training session on CPR/First Aid given by YCLL. Take online Head s Up Concussion Training on the website. Promote SAFETY as a key element to their baseball or softball players. Ensure players are drinking fluids during each practice or game. Ensure the players are wearing the correct safety equipment (i.e. cups, mouth guards, sliding shorts, etc.). Develop a plan to have a charged cell phone during all practice and games. At least one manager or coach is to remain near or inside the dugout area at all times during games. Make sure all players are properly warmed up prior to any practice or game The playing field must always be inspected by the manager, coaches and umpires before games and practices for holes, damage, stones, glass or other foreign objects. Agrees with the other manager or umpire that the field is ready and safe for play. If there is a disagreement, the HOME Team Manager will make the determination and immediately report to their respective league vice president. During warm-up drills, players should be adequately spaced so that no one is endangered by wild throws and missed catches. There will be no head first slides permitted except when returning to first base. At no time during practice or games should horseplay be permitted on the playing field or in the dugouts. Players shall wear a catcher s helmet and mask with a throat guard when warming up pitchers at all times. Managers and coaches are not permitted to warm up pitchers On-deck batters are not permitted at any time. Page 15

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20 Team Safety Officer (TSO) Appointed by the Team Manager, the TSO is designated to ensure a focus on safety is maintained throughout all practices and games. The TSO should: Always have a cell phone available at each practice or game. Be familiar with basic first aid and contents of this safety plan. Inspect the team s equipment prior to a practice or game. Remind the manager or coach to conduct proper warm up exercises with each team. Ensure that all players have an updated medical release form on hand. Walk the fields before each practice or game looking for hazards or potential safety concerns. Ensure that players who miss seven (7) consecutive days of team activities due to injury or illness has a written medical clearance from their primary physician before resuming team activities. Follow up with parents/guardians on any injuries that required first aid. Contact the YCLL Safety Officer at and/or safety@ycll.net when injuries occur. Umpires Umpires are important to ensure that all games are conducted safely. Umpires will ensure and enforce that all safety related rules and regulations are followed. Umpires will also conduct the following: For baseball and softball games, only the home plate umpire authorizes start of game. All team equipment must be stored within the dugout or behind dugout and not within the field of play. All pre-game warm-ups should be performed within the confines of the field of play. At no time should warm-ups be allowed that endangers the safety of the spectators. Players are not allowed to wear any external accessories (i.e. watches, rings, earrings, pins, necklaces, or any other object at practice or games. The exception to this rule is for those players that have a medical alert necklace or bracelet which needs to be taped or secured so injury can be avoided. Spectators At no time should children be permitted to climb on the back stop or stick their hands or fingers through the fence behind home plate during play. All spectators should have good sportsmanship and refrain from using abusive/vulgar language towards the opposing team players or coaches or towards umpires A player and parent code of conduct shall be provided to all players, parents and guardians at the initial team meeting and will be made available on the YCLL website. Page 20

21 YCLL Fields and Safety Checklist Condition of Field Yes No Catchers Equipment Yes No Backstop Shin Guards Home Plate Helmets Bases Face Masks Pitchers Mound Catchers Cup Batter s Box Chest Protector Batter s Box Marked Catcher s Glove Infield Surface Outfield Surface Foul Lines Marked Warning Track Coach s Box Marked Safety Equipment First Aid Kit Medical Release Form Ice Packs Cell Phone (Personal) Injury Forms Page 21

22 Training Requirements First aid training for managers and coaches: it is required by Little League international that each team have a minimum of one coach and manager participate in and complete first aid training before the start of the 2016 season. The first aid training will be scheduled and documented at the manager s meeting. Periodic updates on safety will also be given throughout the season. Special emphasis on heat related illnesses and chronic medical conditions will be addressed as well. It should also be noted: All managers and coaches are encouraged to attend the District 7 sponsored coaches fundamental training clinic. Additionally, District 7 will host a umpire clinic for managers, coaches and anyone else that would like to volunteer to become a umpire. All managers, coaches and umpires should be familiar with little league and YCLL safety plans, policies and procedures. These are distributed to all managers, coaches and umpires at the beginning of the season and can be accessed on the YCLL website. Page 22

23 First Aid Kit Guidelines Every team has access to a first aid kit. The first aid kit should be readily accessible during practice and games. If something has been used or missing from the kit, please contact the Equipment Manager so the item can be replaced. Page 23

24 Field and Dugout Safety It is important to remember that we want to make baseball and softball and enjoyable experience for all YCLL players and volunteers. In case of an emergency, make sure you dial 911 and give the dispatcher as much information as possible. If there is an injury or medical incident that occurs on the field, the manager or coach must remain calm and tend to the injured player. The presiding umpire will instruct all players to return to their respective positions or to the dugout during an emergency. No practices or games should be held under severe weather conditions, especially thunder/lightning or when field conditions are too unsafe. Always make a good judgment with safety as the priority. The fields will be walked before each practice and game to look for and correct any unsafe hazards that may be present. The YCLL Facility Survey is updated annually and submitted to Little League International. Contact the YCLL Safety Officer if you need a copy of the facility survey. Only the players, managers, coaches and umpires are permitted on the playing field during games and practice sessions. All bats and other baseball or softball equipment shall be kept off the field of play. Organize equipment in your dugout to prevent tripping hazards. Page 24

25 Player Safety All little league rules and regulations, both playing rules and safety rules, shall be enforced at all times, whether during a practice or game Little League rules are supplied to all managers and coaches prior to the start of the season. It is important to read and review the rules, as many of them pertain to player safety Managers and coaches should inspect the catcher s face mask on a regular basis, making sure that it fits correctly and is in proper working order. Broken or improperly sized equipment should be turned in and replaced by the Equipment Manager. Catchers shall wear a catcher s helmet with throat guard, chest protector, athletic cup (males), and shin guards. Warm up catchers must wear the required safety equipment while warming up the pitcher. This rule applies whether between innings, during bullpen warm ups and pregame field drills. NO adults, including coaches are allowed to warm up a catcher. Managers and coaches shall instruct all players in safe sliding techniques as well as how to avoid a batted or pitched ball. No on-deck batters allowed to include outside the fence of the playing field. Players that are ejected, ill or injured must remain under the coach s supervision until released to a parent or guardian. After a practice or game, the manager or coach should make sure that all players have been picked up by their parent or guardian. Players will be instructed in proper stretching and general throwing, catching and batting techniques to limit injury. Special attention should be made towards any potential head injury that may lead to a concussion. Players, parents, managers and coaches will be provided information on sports related concussions which will include the signs and symptoms. Page 25

26 Concussion Statement Policy YCLL takes player safety variously seriously. One area that we are being proactive in to improve awareness, prevention and treatment of concussions. All managers, coaches and umpires are encourage to take the online training class from the CDC website, HEADS-UP Training. It should be known that in the event a player is suspected of suffering a concussion during a practice or game, then the player will be removed from practice or game and will not be allowed to return to participate until a physician has cleared the player medically fit to participate. Page 26

27 Emergency Procedures for YCLL In any type of emergency, it is important to remain calm but this is especially true when the emergency involves a child. In this section, you will find some information regarding emergencies. Managers and coaches are required to have a cell phone at all practices and games in case of an emergency. Minor Injuries Use the first aid kit as needed. If blood is present, make sure that you wear gloves for your protection as well as the injured player. Use antiseptic wipes and apply pressure to the injury to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, use a suitable bandage to cover the injured area. Notify the YCLL Safety Officer of the injury. This notification must be made within 24 hours of initial incident. RICE RICE is a way of remembering how to treat a sports injury. Take these steps to keep down the swelling, feel less pain and assist with healing: R-est whatever part of the body that is hurting. I-ce it where it hurts. C-ompression wrap the body part with a bandage. E-levate the injured part of the body. Major Injuries Clear the field of play. Have all players return to the dugout area. DO NOT move the injured player especially in cases where a possible head or neck injury is suspected. Have someone call 911. When calling 911, you need to remember the following: o Your location, name and phone number that you are using. o Give them clear directions, especially if you are in an area with multiple playing fields. o Advise the dispatcher what happened and how the injury occurred. o Inform the dispatcher of the condition of the injured player. Be sure to include whether or not there was a loss of consciousness, severe bleeding or exposed bone from a fracture. o Inform the dispatcher of what aid was administered to the injured player. o Answer any additional questions from the dispatcher and do not hang up the phone until directed to do so. Page 27

28 As the manager or coach of the team, it is your responsibility to determine if any player should continue to practice or play in a game. If you feel that a player needs to get medical attention under any circumstances, then: If emergency medical personnel are present, then allow them to provide directions. Consult with the players parents for physical or hospital information. Check the player s medical release information provided by the league. This information shall be with the team manager at all little league events (practice, games etc.). if the parents or guardians are absent, then refer to the medical release information. If there is a physician, medical clinic or hospital listed, then this should be your first choice. Provide this information to emergency medical services that are arrive on scene. For your information, there are two medical facilities near York County baseball and softball fields: Mary Immaculate Hospital, Riverside Regional Medical Center, While both facilities have emergency room capabilities, choosing which one to go to really depends on the severity of the injury. Riverside Regional Medical Center is a Level 2 Trauma Center that can treat major injuries such as concussions, spinal injuries etc. First Aid Treatment If you are treating the injured player on site: Access the injury. If the victim is conscious, find out what happened, where it hurts, watch for shock. Know your limitations. Call 911 immediately if person is unconscious or seriously injured. Look for signs of injury (blood, black-and-blue, deformity of joint etc.) Listen to the injured player describe what happened and what hurts if conscious. Before asking questions, 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. Talk to your team afterwards 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. DO NOT: 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 Procedure, (i.e., CPR, etc.). Do Not Transport injured individual except in extreme emergencies. Page 28

29 911 EMERGENCY NUMBER The most important help that you can provide to a victim who is seriously injured is to call for professional medical help. Make the call quickly, preferably from a cell phone near the injured person. If this is not possible, send someone else to make the call from a nearby telephone. Be sure that you or another caller follows these four steps: First Dial 911. Give the dispatcher the necessary information. Answer any questions that he or she might ask. Do not hang up until the dispatcher hangs up. The EMS dispatcher may be able to tell you how to best care for the victim. Continue to care for the victim till professional help arrives. Appoint somebody to go to the street and look for the ambulance and fire engine and flag them down if necessary. This saves valuable time. Remember, every minute counts. When to call 911: If the injured person is unconscious, call 911 immediately. Sometimes a conscious victim will tell you not to call an ambulance, and you may not be sure what to do. Call 911 anyway and request paramedics if the victim: Is or becomes unconscious. Has trouble breathing or is breathing in a strange way. Has chest pain or pressure. Is bleeding severely. Has pressure or pain in the abdomen that does not go away. Is vomiting or passing blood. Has seizures, a severe headache, or slurred speech. Appears to have been poisoned. Has injuries to the head, neck or back. Has possible broken bones. If you have any doubt at all, call and requests paramedics. Also Dial 911 for any of these situations: Fire or explosion Downed electrical wires Presence of poisonous gas Vehicle Collisions Vehicle/Bicycle Collisions Victims who cannot be moved easily Page 29

30 Conscious Victims: If the victim is conscious, ask what happened. Look for other life-threatening conditions and conditions that need care or might become life threatening. 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. This check has twenty-two steps: 1. Talk to the victim and to any people standing by who saw the accident take place. 2. Check the victim from head to toe, so you do not overlook any problems. 3. Do not ask the victim to move, and do not move the victim yourself. 4. Examine the scalp, face, ears, nose, and mouth. 5. Look for cuts, bruises, bumps, or depressions. 6. Watch for changes in consciousness. 7. Notice if the victim is drowsy, not alert, or confused. 8. Look for changes in the victim s breathing. A healthy person breathes regularly, quietly, and easily. Breathing that is not normal includes noisy breathing such as gasping for air; making rasping, gurgling, or whistling sounds; breathing unusually fast or slow; and breathing that is painful. 9. Notice how the skin looks and feels. Note if the skin is reddish, bluish, pale or gray. 10. Feel with the back of your hand on the forehead to see if the skin feels unusually damp, dry, cool, or hot. 11. Ask the victim again about the areas that hurt. 12. Ask the victim to move each part of the body that doesn t hurt. 13. Check the shoulders by asking the victim to shrug them. 14. Check the chest and abdomen by asking the victim to take a deep breath. 15. Ask the victim if he or she can move the fingers, hands, and arms. 16. Check the hips and legs in the same way. 17. Watch the victim s face for signs of pain and listen for sounds of pain such as gasps, moans or cries. 18. Look for odd bumps or depressions. 19. 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. 20. Look for a medical alert tag on the victim s wrist or neck. A tag will give you medical information about the victim, care to give for that problem, and who to call for help. 21. When you have finished checking, if the victim can move his or her body without any pain and there are no other signs of injury, have the victim rest sitting up. 22. When the victim feels ready, help him or her stand up. Page 30

31 Unconscious Victims: If the victim does not respond to you in any way, assume the victim is unconscious. Call 911 and report the emergency immediately. Checking an Unconscious Victim: 1. Tap and shout to see if the person responds. If no response 2. Look, listen and feel for breathing for about 5 seconds. 3. If there is no response, position victim on back, while supporting head and neck. 4. Tilt head back, lift chin and pinch nose shut. (See breathing section to follow) Finger sweep maneuver administered to an unconscious victim of foreign body airway obstruction. 5. Look, listen, and feel for breathing for about 5 seconds. 6. If the victim is not breathing, give 2 slow breaths into the victim s mouth. 7. Check pulse for 5 to 10 seconds. 8. Check for severe bleeding. When treating an injury, remember: Rest Ice Compression Elevation Muscle, Bone, or Joint Injuries Always suspect a serious injury when the following signals are present: Significant deformity Bruising and swelling Inability to use the affected part normally Bone fragments sticking out of a wound Victim feels bones grating; victim felt or heard a snap or pop at the time of injury The injured area is cold and numb Cause of the injury suggests that the injury may be severe. If any of these conditions exists, call immediately and administer care to the victim until the paramedics arrive. Treatment for muscle or joint injuries: If ankle or knee is affected, do not allow victim to walk. Loosen or remove shoe; elevate leg. Protect skin with thin towel or cloth. Then apply cold, wet compresses or cold packs to affected area. Never pack a joint in ice or immerse in icy water. If a twisted ankle, do not remove the shoe -- this will limit swelling. Consult professional medical assistance for further treatment if necessary. Page 31

32 Treatment for fractures: Fractures need to be splinted in the position found and no pressure is to be put on the area. Splints can be made from almost anything; rolled up magazines, twigs, bats, etc... Treatment for broken bones: Once you have established that the victim has a broken bone, and you have called 911, all you can do is comfort the victim, keep him/her warm and still and treat for shock if necessary. Head and Spine Injuries When to suspect head and spine injuries: A fall from a height greater than the victim s height. Any bicycle, skateboarding, roller blade mishap. A person found unconscious for unknown reasons. Any injury involving severe blunt force to the head or trunk, such as from a bat or line drive baseball. Any injury that penetrates the head or trunk, such as an impalement. When to suspect head and spine injuries: A fall from a height greater than the victim s height. Any bicycle, skateboarding or roller blading mishap. A person found unconscious for unknown reasons. Any injury involving severe blunt force trauma to the head or chest, such as an impalement. A motor vehicle crash involving a driver or passengers not wearing safety belts. Any person thrown from a motor vehicle. Any person struck by a motor vehicle. Any injury in which a victim s helmet is broken, including a motorcycle, batting helmet, industrial helmet. Any incident involving a lightning strike. Page 32

33 Signs of Head and Spine Injuries: Changes in consciousness Severe pain or pressure in the head, neck, or back Tingling or loss of sensation in the hands, fingers, feet, and toes Partial or complete loss of movement of any body part Unusual bumps or depressions on the head or over the spine Blood or other fluids in the ears or nose Heavy external bleeding of the head, neck, or back Seizures Impaired breathing or vision as a result of injury Nausea or vomiting Persistent headache Loss of balance Bruising of the head, especially around the eyes and behind the ears General Care for Head and Spine Injuries: Call immediately. Minimize movement of the head and spine. Maintain an open airway. Check consciousness and breathing. Control any external bleeding. Keep the victim from getting chilled or overheated till paramedics arrive and take over care. Concussion: Concussions are defined as any blow to the head. They can be fatal if the proper precautions are not taken: If a player, remove player from the game. See that victim gets adequate rest. Note any symptoms and see if they change within a short period of time. If the victim is a child, tell parents about the injury and have them monitor the child after the game. Urge parents to take the child to doctor for further examination. If the victim is unconscious after the blow to the head, diagnose head and neck injury. DO NOT MOVE the victim. Call 911 immediately. Page 33

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35 Contusion to Sternum: Contusions to the Sternum are usually the result of a line drive that hits a player in the chest. These injuries can be very dangerous because if the blow is hard enough, the heart can become bruised and start filling up with fluid. Eventually the heart is compressed and the victim dies. Do not downplay the seriousness of this injury. If a player is hit in the chest and appears to be all right, urge the parents to take their child to the hospital for further examination. If a player complains of pain in his chest after being struck, immediately call 911 and treat the player until professional medical help arrives. Sudden Illness When a victim becomes suddenly ill, he or she often looks and feels sick. Symptoms of sudden illness include: Feeling light-headed, dizzy, confused, or weak Changes in skin color (pale or flushed skin), sweating Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea Changes in consciousness Seizures Paralysis or inability to move Slurred speech Impaired vision Severe headache Breathing difficulty Persistent pressure or pain. Care for Sudden Illness: Call 911 Help the victim rest comfortably. Keep the victim from getting chilled or overheated. Reassure the victim. Watch for changes in consciousness and breathing. Do not give anything to eat or drink unless the victim is fully conscious. Page 35

36 If the victim: Vomits - Place the victim on his or her side. Faints - Position him or her on the back and elevate the legs 8 to 10 inches if you do not suspect Head or back injury. Has a diabetic emergency - Give the victim some form of sugar. Has a seizure - Do not hold or restrain the person or place anything between the victim s teeth. Remove any nearby objects that might cause injury. Cushion the victim s head using folded clothing or a small pillow. Caring for Shock Shock is likely to develop in any serious injury or illness. Signals of shock include: Restlessness or irritability Altered consciousness Pale, cool, moist skin Rapid breathing Rapid pulse. Caring for shock involves the following simple steps: 1. Have the victim lie down. Helping the victim rest comfortably is important because pain can intensify the body s stress and accelerate the progression of shock. 2. Control any external bleeding. 3. Help the victim maintain normal body temperature. If the victim is cool, try to cover him or her to avoid chilling 4. Try to reassure the victim. 5. Elevate the legs about 12 inches unless you suspect head, neck, or back injuries or possible broken bones involving the hips or legs. If you are unsure of the victim s condition, leave him or her lying flat. 6. Do not give the victim anything to eat or drink, even though he or she is likely to be thirsty. 7. Call immediately. Shock can.t be managed effectively by first aid alone. A victim of shock requires advanced medical care as soon as possible. Page 36

37 General Bleeding Before initiating any First Aid to control bleeding, be sure to wear gloves to avoid contact of the victim s blood with your skin. If a victim is bleeding: Act quickly by having the victim lie down. Elevate the injured limb higher than the victim s heart unless you suspect a broken bone. Control bleeding by applying direct pressure on the wound with a sterile pad or clean cloth. If bleeding is controlled by direct pressure, bandage firmly to protect wound. Check pulse to be sure bandage is not too tight. If bleeding is not controlled by use of direct pressure, apply a tourniquet only as a last resort and call 911 immediately. Nose Bleeds To control a nosebleed, have the victim lean forward and pinch the nostrils together until bleeding stops. Bleeding On The Inside and Outside of the Mouth To control bleeding inside the cheek, place folded dressings inside the mouth against the wound. To control bleeding on the outside, use dressings to apply pressure directly to the wound and bandage so as not to restrict. Wound Infection To prevent infection when treating open wounds you must: CLEANSE... the wound and surrounding area gently with mild soap and water or an antiseptic pad; rinse and blot dry with a sterile pad or clean dressing. TREAT... to protect against contamination with ointment. COVER... to absorb fluids and protect wound from further contamination with Band- Aids, gauze, or sterile pads. (Handle only the edges of sterile pads or dressings) TAPE... to secure with First-Aid tape help keep out dirt and germs. Deep Cuts If the cut is deep, stop bleeding, bandage, and encourage the victim to get to a hospital so he/she can be stitched up. Stitches prevent scars. Splinters Splinters are defined as slender pieces of wood, bone, glass or metal objects that lodge in or under the skin. If splinter is in eye, DO NOT remove it. Page 37

38 Symptoms of Splinters: May include: Pain, redness and/or swelling Treatment for Splinters: First wash your hands thoroughly, then gently wash affected area with mild soap and water. Sterilize needle or tweezers by boiling for 10 minutes or heating tips in a flame; wipe off carbon (black discoloration) with a sterile pad before use. Loosen skin around splinter with needle; use tweezers to remove splinter. If splinter breaks or is deeply lodged, consult professional medical help. Cover with adhesive bandage or sterile pad, if necessary. Dental Injuries AVULSION (Entire Tooth Knocked Out) If a tooth is knocked out, place a sterile dressing directly in the space left by the tooth. Tell the victim to bite down. Dentists can successfully replant a knocked-out tooth if they can do so quickly and if the tooth has been cared for properly. Avoid additional trauma to tooth while handling. Do Not handle tooth by the root. Do Not brush or scrub tooth. Do Not sterilize tooth. If debris is on tooth, gently rinse with water. f possible, re-implant and stabilize by biting down gently on a towel or handkerchief. Do only if athlete is alert and conscious. If unable to re-implant: Best - Place tooth in Hank s Balanced Saline Solution, i.e..save-a-tooth. 2nd best - Place tooth in milk. Cold whole milk is best, followed by cold 2 % milk. 3rd best - Wrap tooth in saline soaked gauze. 4th best - Place tooth under victim s tongue. Do only if athlete is conscious and alert. 5th best - Place tooth in cup of water. Time is very important. Re-implantation within 30 minutes has the highest degree of success rate. TRANSPORT IMMEDIATELY TO DENTIST. EXTRUDED TOOTH - Upper tooth hangs down and/or lower tooth raised up. Reposition tooth in socket using firm finger pressure. Stabilize tooth by gently biting on towel or handkerchief. TRANSPORT IMMEDIATELY TO DENTIST. LATERAL DISPLACEMENT - Tooth pushed back or pulled forward. Try to reposition tooth using finger pressure. Victim may require local anesthetic to reposition tooth; if so, stabilize tooth by gently biting on towel or handkerchief. TRANSPORT IMMEDIATELY TO DENTIST. Page 38

39 INTRUDED TOOTH - Tooth pushed into gum - looks short. Do nothing - avoid any repositioning of tooth. TRANSPORT IMMEDIATELY TO DENTIST. FRACTURE (Broken Tooth) If tooth is totally broken in half, perform the following: Stabilize portion of tooth left in mouth be gently biting on a towel or handkerchief to control bleeding. Should extreme pain occur, limit contact with other teeth, air or tongue. Pulp nerve may be exposed, which is extremely painful to athlete. Save all fragments of fractured tooth as described under Avulsion, Item 4. IMMEDIATELY TRANSPORT PATIENT & TOOTH FRAGMENT TO DENTSIST. Heat Exhaustion Symptoms may include: Fatigue; irritability; headache; faintness; weak, rapid pulse; shallow breathing; cold, clammy skin; profuse perspiration. Treatment: Instruct victim to lie down in a cool, shaded area or an air-conditioned room. Elevate feet. Massage legs toward heart. Only if victim is conscious, give cool water or electrolyte solution every 15 minutes. Use caution when letting victim first sit up, even after feeling recovered. Heat Stroke Symptoms may include: Extremely high body temperature (106 ー F or higher); hot, red, dry skin; absence of sweating; rapid pulse; convulsions; unconsciousness. Treatment: Call 911 immediately Lower body temperature quickly by placing victim in partially filled tub of cool, not cold, water (avoid over-cooling). Briskly sponge victim.s body until body temperature is reduced then towel dry. If tub is not available, wrap victim in cold, wet sheets or towels in well ventilated room or use fans and air conditioners until body temperature is reduced. DO NOT give stimulating beverages (caffeine beverages), such as coffee, tea or soda. Moving an Injured Person If injury involves neck or back, DO NOT move victim unless absolutely necessary. Wait for Emergency Medical Services to arrive. Page 39

40 If victim must be pulled to safety, move body lengthwise, not sideways. If possible, slide a coat or blanket under the victim: Carefully turn victim toward you and slip a half-rolled blanket under back. Turn victim on side over blanket, unroll, and return victim onto back. Drag victim head first, keeping back as straight as possible. If victim must be lifted Support each part of the body. Position a person at victim s head to provide additional stability. Use a board, shutter, tabletop or other firm surface to keep body as level as possible. Caring for Burns: The care for burns involves the following 3 basic steps: Stop the Burning -- Put out flames or remove the victim from the source of the burn. Cool the Burn -- Use large amounts of cool water to cool the burned area. Do not use ice or ice water other than on small superficial burns. Ice causes body heat loss. Use whatever resources are available-tub, shower, or garden hose, for example. You can apply soaked towels, sheets or other wet cloths to a burned face or other areas that cannot be immersed. Be sure to keep the cloths cool by adding more water. Cover the Burn -- Use dry, sterile dressings or a clean cloth. Loosely bandage them in place. Covering the burn helps keep out air and reduces pain. Covering the burn also helps prevent infection. If the burn covers a large area of the body, cover it with clean, dry sheets or other cloth. Chemical Burns If a chemical burn: Remove contaminated clothing. Flush burned area with cool water for at least 5 minutes. Treat as you would any major burn. If an eye has been burned: Immediately flood face, inside of eyelid and eye with cool running water for at least 15 minutes. Turn head so water does not drain into uninjured eye. Lift eyelid away from eye so the inside of the lid can also be washed. If eye has been burned by a dry chemical, lift any loose particles off the eye with the corner of a sterile pad or clean cloth. Cover both eyes with dry sterile pads, clean cloths, or eye pads; bandage in place. Page 40

41 Sunburn If victim has been sunburned: Treat as you would any major burn (see above). Treat for shock if necessary Cool victim as rapidly as possible by applying cool, damp cloths or immersing in cool, not cold water. Give victim fluids to drink. Get professional medical help immediately for severe cases. Prescription Medication Do not, at any time, administer any kind of prescription medicine. This is the parent s responsibility and York County Little League does not want to be held liable, nor do you, in case the child has an adverse reaction to the medication. Asthma and Allergies Many children suffer from asthma and/or allergies (allergies especially in the springtime). Allergy symptoms can manifest themselves to look like the child has a cold or flu while children with asthma usually have a difficult time breathing when they become active. Allergies are usually treated with prescription medication. If a child is allergic to insect stings/bites or certain types of food, you must know about it because these allergic reactions can become life threatening. Encourage parents to fill out the medical history forms. Study their comments and know which children on your team need to be watched. Likewise, a child with asthma needs to be watched. If a child starts to have an asthma attack, have him stop playing immediately and calm him down till he/she is able to breathe normally. If the asthma attack persists, dial 911 and request emergency service. Page 41

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43 Colds and Flu The baseball season usually coincides with the cold and flu season. There is nothing you can do to help a child with a cold or flu except to recognize that the child is sick and should be at home recovering and not on the field passing his cold or flu on to all your other players. Prevention is the solution here. Don t be afraid to tell parents to keep their child at home. Insect Stings In highly sensitive persons, do not wait for allergic symptoms to appear. Get professional medical help immediately. Call 911. If breathing difficulties occur, start rescue breathing techniques; if pulse is absent, begin CPR. Symptoms: Signs of allergic reaction may include: Nausea Severe swelling Breathing difficulties Bluish face Lips and fingernails Shock or unconsciousness. Treatment for an Allergic Reaction For mild or moderate symptoms, wash with soap and cold water. Remove stinger or venom sac by gently scraping with fingernail or business card. Do not remove stinger with tweezers as more toxins from the stinger could be released into the victim s body. For multiple stings, soak affected area in cool water. Add one tablespoon of baking soda per quart of water. Page 43

44 Accident Notification and Reporting Procedures Little League Baseball and Softball is constantly looking for ways to improve the safety of everyone involved. In order to help YCLL Little League in this effort, all managers and coaches shall be required to provide detailed reports of all accidents and/or injuries. You should have access to electronic injury reports. Within 24 hours of any injury, regardless of how minor, the manager or coach shall contact the Safety Officer Michael Holland so that a report can be filed. The Safety Officer s contact information is (757) or safety@ycll.net What to Report Any incident that causes any player, manager, coach, umpire or volunteer to receive medical treatment and/or first aid must be reported to the YCLL Safety Officer. This includes even passive treatment such as the evaluation of any injury that only results in a period of rest. When to Report All accidents/injuries described above shall be reported to the YCLL Safety Officer within 24hrs of the initial incident. The 2017 YCLL Safety Officer is Michael Holland and he can be reached at the following: o Cell phone (757) o safety@ycll.net When contacting the Safety Officer, please leave a detailed message and contact number. How to Make a Report As a minimum, the following information must be provided: Name and phone number of the player that was injured Date, time and circumstances of the injury Detailed description of the incident Preliminary estimate of the extent of the injured player A YCLL Accident Form is included in this safety plan. This form must be filled out and provided to the YCLL Safety Officer within 24hrs of initial injury. Page 44

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49 Guidelines for Games during Inclement Weather The chances of encountering one of the following during a game includes: Rain Lightning Heavy winds Tornados Very hot summer days Rain Light rain that does not create an unsafe environment may not be a factor for a practice or game to be stopped. Heavy rain that leads to pooling or soaking wet field conditions mag cause a practice or game to be stopped. Besides pooling or slick field conditions, heavy downpours can also cause very poor visibility putting players, managers, coaches and spectators in danger from batted or thrown balls. One a game has started, it is the responsibility of the umpire to stop the game. If it is a practice, then the manager and coaches must make the decision to stop the practice. If a game or practice is stopped, managers and coaches must ensure that all players are accounted for when they are picked up by their parents or guardians. If it has been raining prior to a practice or game, then managers, coaches and umpires must carefully inspect the field conditions and make a determination. Managers will notify their team via blast if there is a change in their practice or game schedule. Lightning If a practice or game is currently in progress and there is thunder or lightning (with or without rain), the manager or umpire will immediately stop the game and move everyone to a safe area (usually a vehicle or inside a building). Practice and games are not permitted to continue until 30 minutes after a flash of lightning or sound of thunder. Players may NOT remain on the field or in the dugout during this time. Practice and games may not resume until the umpire or manager gives an ALL Clear. Page 49

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51 Heavy Winds Heavy winds can cause dust particles to obstruct a player s ability to focus on the game and can even hamper a player s ability to see clearly. Heavy winds can also cause serious risk of safety to everyone out at the ball field. Therefore in the event of heavy winds, any winds registering 35mph or greater, the game or practice must be stopped immediately. It is the responsibility of the umpire or manager to make this call. Page 51

52 Tornados At any point during a practice or game if there is a tornado, the game or practice must immediately be cancelled. The manager and coach should gather all their players of their team and remain at a safe area near the field, if possible. The manager or coaches should remain near the field, if possible, for at least 30 minutes after a tornado or thunderstorm has passed for parents or guardians to pick up their child. If it is unsafe to remain near the field, the manager or coach should gather all the players and go to an area that is safe. Hot Summer Days During the summer, the temperatures can rise to uncomfortable levels. It is the managers and coaches responsibility to make sure that all players have sufficient amounts of water for drinking. Additionally, all managers and coaches should review this safety item and the importance of adequate hydration and wet clothes with parents at the team s initial parent meeting. Page 52

53 Volunteer Application and Background Checks As part of ensuring a safe environment for all players, all local little leagues are required to conduct background checks on board members, managers, coaches, umpires and other volunteers who provide regular services to YCLL and/or have repetitive access or contact with players or teams. Individuals are also required to complete and submit a 2017 Little League Volunteer Application. YCLL will conduct background checks using First Advantage and the U.S. Department of Justice, National Sex Offender Registry ( any individual refusing to submit the required volunteer application and submit to the background check, will not be allowed to participate within YCLL baseball and softball programs. Page 53

54 Concession Stand Safety Policy Concession stand safety is very important to YCLL. YCLL is constantly striving to provide the community with safe, healthy foods. By following the policy listed below, YCLL will ensure that we are doing everything we can do to reach our goal. This policy will be posted in our concession stand at all times. The Safety Officer will work with concession personnel to review, implement and update this policy as needed. All items on the menu will have prior approval by the YCLL BOD. YCLL will not allow anyone under the age of 18 years old to be in the concession stand unless when being accompanied and supervised by a parent or volunteer. YCLL will require that at least 3 volunteers be present at the time of concession stand is open. All volunteer in the concession stands must wash their hands on a regular basis. All volunteers must wear gloves when handling and preparing food. Nothing in glass containers will be sold in the concession stand. All concession stand equipment must be turned off and cleaned thoroughly at the end of the day. All food utensils must be properly cleaned and stored at the end of the day. The floors must be swept and mopped, garbage emptied out in the dumpsters and recycling placed outside at the end of the day. A stocked first aid kit shall be kept in the concession stand at all times. A list of emergency phone numbers will be posted in the concession stand. Volunteers must report any accidents or incidents that results in an open cut or bleeding must stop working immediately and seek medical treatment. Any volunteers who are feeling ill or have an active cough, runny nose, or other symptoms, will not be allowed to volunteer in the concession stand that day. Page 54

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57 Food Poisoning Food poisoning is caused by consuming foods or beverages that have been contaminated by the presence of harmful substances or organisms. There are at least eight major food handling errors commonly made which can cause food-borne disease outbreaks: Failure to properly cook food. Failure to properly cool or store food. Failure to properly re-heat cooked food to temperatures to kill bacteria. Allowing foods to remain in the temp danger zone (45F to 145F). Preparing food several hours to several days in advance of serving the food. Raw, contaminated ingredients that are mixed into foods that receive no additional cooking. Cross-contamination through improperly cleaned equipment and utensils Contamination of food from volunteers who are ill or who practice poor personal hygiene. In the event of someone complaining of food poisoning, concession volunteers should do the following: Stop serving the suspected food. Advise the affected person to contact their physician or immediately seek medical attention. Notify the Safety Officer. Save the questionable food. Separate and label suspected food to prevent its use. It is extremely important to act immediately so other people do not become ill. Page 57

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59 Facility Survey An annual survey has been conducted for the 2017 season. This survey was conducted utilizing resources that were provided by All facilities have been found to be safe for practice and games and meet all little league baseball and softball requirements. A copy of this 2017 Facility Survey will be submitted to Little League International along with a copy of the 2017 Safety Plan safety improvements that were added to the facility safety plan include the following: Re-grade baseball and softball fields at Zook #1 and Zook #2. Constructed shelter protection for dugouts at softball field for Zook #2. Upgraded sanitation services to restrooms. Remodeled old concession building. Build new storage shed to store baseball and softball equipment Replace worn benches from dugouts. Add warning tracks to both baseball and softball fields at Zook. Remodeled announcement booth that allow for safer and easier access. Page 59

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