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Malverne Little League

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23

Mar, 2023

MLL 2023 Safety Plan

Malverne Little League 2023 Commitment to Safety Our league will annually publish a current Safety Plan. This plan is distributed to every manager, coach and safety parent volunteer before any practices or games take place. President: Patrick Rudden (347) 813-1457 Vice President: Brian Cardiff (516) 456-9447 Treasurer: Chris McDaniel (516) 263-5840 Safety Officer: Jason Miletic (646) 418-1974 Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility Malverne Little League’s priority is Safety First! The entire Little League community must work together to ensure that games, practices, and other events remain safe – and therefore fun – for all Malverne Little League players. This Plan explains the necessary contributions from all participants including league officials, managers, coaches, parents, and players. It also provides all of Malverne Little League’s safety rules and other information. The purpose of the Malverne Little League Safety Plan is to communicate guidelines for increasing the safety of activities, equipment, instruction and facilities through education, compliance, and reporting. In support of this goal, Malverne Little League also commits itself to providing the necessary organizational structure and focus to develop, monitor, and enforce compliance with all aspects of the plan. The Safety Plan includes the Code of Conduct and Safety Code adopted by the Malverne Little League Board of Directors. These documents outline specific safety related policies and procedures of the League. All participants, volunteers, employees, spectators, and guests are bound by the guidelines set forth in these documents. A copy of our Safety Plan will, once approved, be posted to our website at www.malvernelittleleague.com and made available to manger s/ coaches and our District Administrator. We value your contributions. Please report any conditions you observe that appear unsafe, or provide any suggestions for enhancing safety, to the Malverne Little League Safety Officer at [email protected] This safety plan provides the guidelines and instructions for the safe operations of the leagues. It will also be summarized at managers and parents meetings. We expect all League volunteers, players and parents to abide by the plan and make safety a high priority in all League activities. The League President and Safety Officer have primary responsibility for developing, implementing, and ensuring compliance with the Safety Plan. However, the entire Malverne Little League Board of Directors, elected League Officers, and Board Approved Managers and Coaches share in the responsibility to ensure awareness and compliance with the Safety Plan relative to their respective position or office. Roles and Responsibilities Safety is everyone’s responsibility Approximately 300 children participate in Malverne Little League, and the job of keeping our kids safe requires the active support of the entire Malverne village. Little League requirements are detailed throughout this Plan. It is helpful, however, to consider the specific contributions each member of the community is expected to make. Safety Officer: has overall responsibility for safety issues, primarily building and ensuring compliance with this Plan. Every member of the community should feel free to communicate with the Safety Officer regarding any concerns. The Safety Officer is responsible for: • Coordinating with Player Agents, Managers and Coaches in order to provide the safest environment possible, and to rapidly resolve any unsafe conditions brought to his/her attention. • Keeping an Injury Log. This log will list where and when accidents and injuries occurred, to whom, in which divisions, and who was under what supervision at the time of the injury. • Scheduling a Safety and First Aid Clinic for all managers, coaches, umpires, and player agents during the pre-season. Equipment Manager: also has safety responsibilities, primarily the inspection, distribution and maintenance of equipment including first aid kits. Outdated and broken equipment are to be disposed of to prevent future use. Player Agents: for each division of play are responsible for communicating training requirements to managers and coaches, and ensuring compliance. Managers/Coaches: bear the primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of players during practices and games. They must meet specified fundamentals and first-aid/safety training requirements, which are specified in this Plan. Umpires: have primary responsibility for enforcing Little League rules, many of which are grounded in safety considerations as well as concern for fair play. These includes inspecting helmets, catcher’s masks, bats and the field looking for potential safety issues prior to each game. Parents: should discuss basic safe practices with players, such as not swinging bats except in appropriate areas under appropriate supervision. Additionally, parents should set a good example for players. Players: should review these portions of the Code – with a parent as applicable – and adhere to them. Volunteer Background Check Malverne Little League requires that all volunteers fill out the required volunteer form and submit and pass a third-party-run criminal and sex offender background check. All Board of Director members, Managers, Coaches, and any other persons who will regularly come in contact with players or teams must apply for a background check prior to serving. As mandated by Little League International, Malverne Little League will not permit any person to participate in the league, whose background check reveals a conviction or guilty plea for any crime involving or against a minor. Background checks are required prior to the applicant assuming his/her duties for the current season. Failure to complete a background check as required by the league and upon request makes that adult ineligible to volunteer in any capacity with Malverne LL. Information provided or revealed during a background check may be securely stored by Malverne LL for all personnel named above, for a minimum of the duration of the applicant’s service to the league. Malverne LL will maintain the privacy of these records, and will use them only for the intended purpose, i.e., to perform the mandatory background check. Malverne Little League will prohibit any individual from participating as a volunteer or hired worker, if the league deems the individual unfit to work with minors. Manager & Coach Responsibilities The Manager is responsible for the safety of his/her players, and is ultimately responsible for the actions of designated coaches. If a Manager leaves the field or is unavailable, that Manager shall designate a Coach as a substitute and such Substitute Manager shall have the duties, rights and responsibilities of the Manager. Manager and coaches must follow all rules set forth by Little League International and Malverne Little League. Managers Must: • Read this Safety Manual and bring it and the First-Aid Kit supplied by Malverne LL to each to all practice or games. • Make sure that telephone access is available at all activities including practices. • Attend a training session on CPR, concussion/head injuries, injury prevention and First Aid given by Malverne LL. • Attend the fundamentals training. A manager or coach from each team must attend annually. • Teach players the fundamentals of the game while advocating safety, including but not limited to: -Fielding ground balls and fly balls -Throwing correctly and only to players expecting a throw -Warming up to avoid injury -Safely handling a baseball bat -Turning away properly from a pitch thrown at the player -Sliding correctly • Understand and manage to what the players are safely capable of. • Notify a parent/guardian that if a child sustains a serious injury or suspected concussion; that child cannot return to practice unless they have a note from their doctor. • Encourage players/volunteers/parents to bring water bottles and sunscreen to practices and games. • Verify their coaches and volunteers have submitted completed current year volunteer application forms for background checks. Do not permit anyone to assist with practice or games or have substantial contact with Malverne LL children who have not complied with this requirement. • Insure all Medical Release, and Parent/Player Code of Conduct forms are executed by players and parents and supplied to you before a player may attend practice or games with Malverne Little League. Prior to the Game Managers will: • Work with the umpire to walk the field prior to the game for hazards. Look for rocks, glass, holds etc. and correct if feasible. It is the coach/managers responsibility to assure the players safety during the game. If there is a facility issue, report to the Safety Officer. • Work with the umpire to inspect the players’ equipment. If a player has unsafe equipment, it is recommended it be made unusable. • Ensure the players warm up prior to the game, are ready to play, are not injured or sick. During the Game Managers will: • Make sure that players carry all gloves and other equipment off the field and to the dugout when their team is up at bat. No equipment shall be left lying on the field, either in fair or foul territory. • Keep players alert in the field and orderly in the dugout. • Make sure catchers are wearing the proper equipment including cup and mask with dangling throat-guard. Catchers must wear catcher’s mask/helmet during warmup and infield/outfield practice. • Observe the “no on-deck” rule for batters and keep players behind the screens at all times. Bats stay in bags or racks in the dugout. • Keep players off the fences, backstops, and cages • Encourage players to drink often and apply sunscreen. • Never allow children to play if they are ill, sustained a suspected concussion or head injury, or are injured. In the event of a collision play it safe and test for suspected concussion using league-provided tool. • Players in a cast may not enter a game. • Immediately attend to players who become injured in a game. You must notify a parent no matter how small or insignificant the injury is. If there was an injury requiring professional medical care, complete an accident report form and provide the forms and information to the Malverne LL Safety Officer. • Supervise ejected, ill or injured players until released to the parent, guardian, or person the parent or guardian designates. • Discuss any safety problems that occurred before, during or after the game with the Malverne LL Safety Officer. • Ensure players use equipment appropriate and allowed for age, division, and ability. For example, do not use hardballs in divisions where safety balls are provided and mandated. Safety Code The Board of Directors has adopted the Malverne Little League Safety Code. All league officers, participants, members and volunteers are required to abide by this code. On game day and during practices it is expected that team managers and umpires will take actions necessary to comply with this code. The League Safety Officer will monitor compliance and make revisions to the Safety Code from year to year, as necessary. Malverne Little League Safety Code • Little League Rules and the Safety Code will be in force at all league activities. • A comprehensive survey shall be conducted each year for all fields used by Malverne Little League, and the results documented on appropriate forms. • Access to a phone in order to contact emergency medical services is required for every league activity. • Managers, coaches and umpires will be provided with basic training in first aid, concussion and head injury detection and issues, proper mechanics/fundamentals, and Little League philosophy. More advanced training is available to coaches and teams upon request. • First-aid kits are issued to each team manager, and shall be present at each Little League game or practice. Each field (Harris and Whelan) has first aid kits for use. • No games or practices should be held when weather or field conditions are unsafe, particularly when footing is poor or lighting is inadequate. • Managers and/or umpires shall walk the fields and inspect for hazards prior to using the field. Play area should be inspected frequently for holes, damage, rocks, glass and other foreign objects that could cause injury. • All team equipment should be stored within the team dugout, or behind screens, and not within areas defined by the umpires as "in play". • 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. • During practice and games, all players should be alert and watching the batter on each pitch. • Only a player on the field called to bat by the umpire may swing a bat (Age 5 - 12). No on deck position or swings are permitted. When called to bat by an umpire proceed to the batter’s box and take a couple of practice swings before entering. At all times, players need to be alert of the area around them when swinging bats. • No swinging bats at any time within the walkways, common areas, on deck position and dugouts. • During warm-up drills, establish enough space between players so that no one is endangered by wild throws or missed catches. • Equipment should be inspected regularly for condition, proper fit, and compliance with Little League Baseball rules and regulations. • Batters must wear NOCSAE approved protective helmets during batting practice, coaching or running bases, and at bat during games and practices. Face masks are required for T-ball through Majors. • Players shall be instructed on how to properly turn away from pitches thrown at them rather than ducking or turning into the pitch. • Catcher must wear catcher's helmet, mask, throat guard, chest protector, shin guards and protective cup (males) at all times for all practices and games. NO EXCEPTIONS. Managers should encourage all other male players to wear protective cups for practices and games. • The Catcher must wear catcher's helmet and mask with a throat guard while warming up pitchers. This applies to before games, between innings and in the bullpen during all games and practices. NO EXCEPTIONS. • No anchored bases except first base– only breakaway bases - are allowed on league fields. • Parents of Players who wear glasses should be encouraged to provide "safety glasses". • 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 (i.e., playing catch, pepper, swinging bats, etc.). • Reduced impact balls are to be used for T-ball and farms for all practices. • Player’s are to be encouraged to drink water, or sports drinks in moderation during practice and games. • Remember, safety is everyone's job. Prevention is the key to reducing accidents to a minimum. Report all hazardous conditions to the League Safety Officer or another Board member immediately. Do not play on a field that is not safe or with unsafe playing equipment. Be sure your players are fully equipped at all times, especially catchers and batters. And, check your team's equipment often. Guidelines for Use of Batting Cages The Malverne Little League has implemented the following guidelines for use of batting cages: • Adult supervision is required at all times • Batters must wear helmets • Pitcher/pitching machine operator must use an “L” screen • Only coaches may pitch to batters. No 'kid pitchers' allowed • Pitching machine must be operated by an adult. • Only batter and one pitcher/machine operator allowed during batting Reporting Accidents & Injuries All managers, coaches, parents, umpires, and volunteers should use the following procedures for reporting injuries. Bring this information with you to every Malverne LL event. PHONE NUMBERS Call 911 in any true emergency or for urgent medical assistance. Cell phone callers will be connected to the Malverne Police dispatcher. Stay on the line and provide information requested by the dispatcher including the location of the field or practice area you are calling from. Non-emergency calls contacts: Malverne Police Dept: (516) 599-3141 Malverne Fire Dept: (516) 742-3300 LIJ Valley Stream Hospital: (516) 256-6000 900 Franklin Avenue, Valley Stream NY 11580 Jason Miletic, Safety: (646) 418-1974 Patrick Rudden, President: (347) 813-1457 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 Safety Officer. The terms "medical treatment and/or first aid" include any injury that (a) causes a player to miss any practice or game time; or (b) any event that has the potential to require the medical assistance of a physician for evaluation and diagnosis must be reported promptly. WHEN TO REPORT Report all such incidents described above must be reported to Jason Miletic League Safety Officer, within 48 hours of the incident. USE THE INCIDENT TRACKING FORM TO REPORT INJURIES The form is available for download from the Safety section of the League website: In completing the form make sure the following information is provided: • The name and phone number of the individual involved (and their parents). • The date, time, and location of the incident. • As detailed a description of the incident as possible. • The preliminary estimation of the extent of any injuries. • The name and phone number of the individual reporting the incident. SAFETY OFFICER RESPONSIBILITY FOR INJURY REPORTING The League Safety Officer will receive this injury report and will enter it into the league's safety database. Within 48 hours of receiving the incident report, the Safety Officer will contact the injured party or the party's parents and (1) verify the information received; (2) obtain any other information deemed necessary; (3) check on the status of the injured party; and (4) in the event that the injured party required other medical treatment (i.e., Emergency Room visit, doctor's visit, etc.) will advise the parent or guardian of the Malverne Little League's insurance coverage’s and the provisions for submitting any claims for reimbursement. If the extent of the injuries are more than minor in nature, the League Safety Officer may periodically call the injured party to check on the status of any injuries and to check if any other assistance is necessary such as submission of insurance forms, the medical release form, etc. or until such time as the incident is considered "closed" (i.e. no further claims are expected and/or the individual is participating in the league again). RETURNING TO PLAY FOLLOWING INJURY OR ILLNESS – According to Little Baseball National Headquarters Regulation III (D) for all levels of baseball and softball: ”When a player misses more than seven (7) continuous days of participation for an illness or injury, the team Manager must receive written permission given by a physician or other medical provider for a return to full baseball/softball activity.” Physician or other medical provider permission must also be secured following a concussion or head injury as outlined in the Concussion Information Sheet parents and players are required to review and sign in the registration process before play with the league and as attached. Some Important Do's and Don'ts for an Injured player DO ... • Reassure and aid children who are injured • Provide or obtain medical attention for those who require it. • Give aid when needed to the extent of your ability. Know your limitations. • Carry your first-aid kit to all games and practices. • Assist those who require medical attention before any other priority. • Make arrangements to have a cellular phone available at every Malverne LL event. • Ask for help if you're not sure of the proper procedures (i.e. CPR, etc.) • Report any present or potential safety hazard to the League Safety Officer immediately DON'T ... • Administer any medications. • Provide any food or beverages (other than water) to an injured individual • Transport injured individuals except in extreme emergencies. • Leave an unattended child at a practice or game. • Be alone with a child not your own, but instead always have your child at least and another parent or coach stay until the child’s parent arrives. Emergency Care * In the event of a player injury or illness that appears to be an emergency, the game or practice shall be suspended until the crisis is resolved. If the player’s parent/guardian is present, all Malverne LL officials will aid in providing emergency support, according to the parent/guardian’s direction. The manager/coach, or the umpire, is authorized by Malverne LL to call 911 and request emergency services if the manager/coach or umpire believes it is necessary in the best interests of the player(s). * If the player’s parent/guardian, or a person designated as an emergency contact, is not present, the manager/coach will address emergencies according to the protocol stated herein. * The manager, coach or team representative will address any urgent potentially life-threatening issues as indicated by the event. Next the manager or coach will attempt to reach the emergency contact designated in the Consent to Treat/Release form. To the extent reasonable, the manager, coach or team representative will follow the designated emergency contact’s instructions in obtaining emergency care. * If the manager, coach or team representative is not able to reach a designated contact, or in the absence of reasonable instructions, the manager/coach shall take such steps as appear necessary in the best interests of the player(s). The manager/coach is authorized by Malverne Little League to make conservative decisions tending to minimize risk to players, such as calling ”911”, summoning ambulance/EMT support, and calling for ambulance transportation. * If it becomes necessary to transport an injured or ill player to a hospital ER, a manager, coach, or designated team representative will remain with the player until the arrival of the player’s parent/guardian, or a designated emergency contact. If treatment concludes before arrival of the player’s parent/guardian or designated emergency contact, the manager, coach or team representative will remain with the player, but may leave the ER as appropriate in the discretion of the manager, coach or team representative. Head Injuries 1. A youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury must be removed from play – “when in doubt, sit them out” 2. A youth athlete who has been removed from play must receive written clearance from a licensed health care provider prior to returning to play WHAT IS A CONCUSSION? A concussion is an injury that changes how the cells in the brain normally work. A concussion is caused by a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. Concussions can also result from a fall or from players colliding with each other or with obstacles, such as a goalpost, even if they do not directly hit their head. Watch for the following two things among your athletes: 1. A forceful blow to the head or body that results in rapid movement of the head. - 2. Any change in the athlete’s behavior, thinking, or physical functioning. (See the signs and symptoms of concussion.) PREVENTION AND PREPARATION As a coach, you can play a key role in preventing concussions and responding to them properly when they occur. Here are some steps you can take to ensure the best outcome for your athletes and the team: Teach athletes and parents that it’s dangerous to play with a concussion. Sometimes players and parents wrongly believe that it shows strength and courage to play injured. Discourage others from pressuring injured athletes to play. Don’t let athletes persuade you that they’re “just fine” after they have sustained any bump or blow to the head. Ask if players have ever had a concussion. A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers from the first—usually within a short period of time (hours, days, or weeks)—can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of having long-term problems. In rare cases, repeat concussions can result in brain swelling, permanent brain damage, and even death. This more serious condition is called second impact syndrome. Keep athletes with known or suspected concussion from play until they have been evaluated and given permission to return to play by a health care professional with experience in evaluating for concussion. Remind your athletes: “It’s better to miss one game than the whole season.” ACTION PLAN WHAT SHOULD A COACH DO WHEN A CONCUSSION IS SUSPECTED? 1. Remove the athlete from play. 2. Evaluate the player using HitCheck. 3. Keep the player out of the game if a concussion is suspected. 4. Contact parent/guardian and advise the athlete be evaluated right away by an appropriate health care professional. 5. Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself. Health care professionals have a number of methods that they can use to assess the severity of concussions. As a coach, recording the following information can help health care professionals in assessing the athlete after the injury: • Cause of the injury and force of the hit or blow to the head • Any loss of consciousness (passed out/knocked out) and if so, for how long • Any memory loss immediately following the injury • Any seizures immediately following the injury • Number of previous concussions (if any) 6. Allow the athlete to return to play only with written permission from a health care professional with experience in evaluating for concussion. Prevent common long-term problems and the rare second impact syndrome by delaying the athlete’s return to the activity until the player receives appropriate medical evaluation and approval for return to play. General Health PHYSICAL CONCERNS – Parents/guardians of players with special conditions or needs must ensure that the team’s manager/coaches are aware of any such conditions or needs. Malverne LL provides a registration form permitting you to describe any conditions or needs of which the manager/coaches for your child’s team should be aware. MEDICAL APPROVAL AND RELEASE – Every player must have on file with the team a completed and signed “Consent to Treat/Release” form, provided by Malverne Little League. A copy of the form is available from the website. In addition, A manager/coach from each team, or a designated team representative, must maintain a copy of a completed and signed form for each player on the team. The forms must be available at each practice and game, and scheduled Little League event in which the team is participating, in the event that there is an emergency requiring use. COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PROCEDURES – While the risk of one participant infecting another during league activities is small, there is a remote risk other blood borne infectious disease can be transmitted. Managers and coaches should anticipate such a situation to arise during practice or games and gloves are provided in the safety kit issued to each team. Procedures for reducing the potential for transmission of infectious agents should include, but not limited to the following: • Bleeding must be stopped, the open wound covered and if there is any excess amount of blood on the uniform, it must be changed before an athlete may participate. • Gloves or other precautions should be used to prevent skin and mucous membrane exposure when contact with blood or other body fluids is anticipated. • Immediately wash hands and other skin surfaces if contaminated (in contact) with blood or other body fluids. Wash hands immediately after removing gloves. Basic Fundamental Training and Safety Clinic for Managers/Coaches & Players In order to ensure that Malverne LL Coaches and Managers are well prepared for the task of coaching little league baseball/softball they are required to attend both instructional clinics including safety offered internally or in district around the start of practice in March. These clinics provide instruction on proper warm-up exercises, basic first aid, injury prevention and head injuries, coaching techniques, and instructional methods to teach proper hitting, throwing and catching mechanics. We will provide information on AED and CPR training as an option for coaches/ managers who are interested, as well as information on concussion testing. Lightning Procedures When lightning is seen/heard anywhere near the vicinity of the field: • Stop Game/Practice immediately • Stay away from metal backstop, fencing, bleachers (including dugouts) • Wait for an official Umpire decision on whether or not to continue the game or coach determination to continue practice. • Websites to check for assistance: • NOAA Lightning Safety Annual Facility Survey Little League International provides a “Facility Survey” with a checklist guiding an annual inspection of ball fields, school yards, and parks used for Little League games and practices. Malverne LL has completed that Survey. Because conditions may change over the course of a season, please contact the Safety Officer if you observe an unsafe condition. Malverne Little League has a responsibility to maintain both Whelan and Harris fields. For these facilities, Malverne LL performs additional inspections: Prior to the beginning of each season, the Facility Manager inspects each storage shed and box to ensure proper storage conditions and that equipment and supplies are in good repair. Field Inspections Prior to each practice, a manager or coach should inspect the field for obvious hazards, such as soccer equipment or other items left on the field, animal waste, etc., or holes and erosion creating a hazard. Concession Stands and Food Handling All concession stands shall provide one of the following for cleansing hands: • Running water, hand soap and paper towels. • “Dry” or gel soap for cleansing hands without running water. Concession volunteers will be instructed to wash hands prior to beginning shift. Appropriate tissues and gloves shall be provided, and all unpackaged foods shall be handled using such skin barriers. Food Storage Perishable foods shall be stored in the refrigerator, and disposed at the perish date. Perishable foods shall not be re-prepared (cheese for nachos, hot dogs etc. should be disposed if heated and not sold). Concession Stand Safety A fully stocked First Aid kit and fire extinguisher shall be provided in each concession stand. COVID-19 Our little League would be comfortable participating in the LLI Tournament should COVID-19 present a future outbreak. With respect to additional actions, LLI may consider providing local LLs with financial resources to apply towards PPE and other items related to traveling to the LLI Tournament. ### #### ###