Background Checks

• All volunteers must complete an online background check via this link: Click Here!
  *Little League International requires all leagues and districts in the United States to conduct an annual background check, including a nationwide criminal search and a search of the National Sex Offender Registry. Little League's preferred provider, J.D Palatine, has a Criminal File database that contains more than 600 million records, including criminal and sex offender registry records covering 50 states and the District of Columbia, meeting the current Little League Regulation 1(c) 8 & 9 requirement. 

A Safety Awareness Plan (ASAP)

• The ASAP is a safety manual that addresses the individual needs of the league via a minimum of 15 required elements.
• Every league submits an ASAP, or the league safety plan, every single year. 
  
• Download the 2024 ASAP Plan Here!

If a player or other person is injured at a field/Little League activity, the Injury Tracking Form must be completed and submitted to League Safety Officer Brandy Machuca at [email protected]

Each league determines its procedure for completing the injury tracking form: in most cases it is the manager (for injured player), or a league official (for injured adult or non-player). 

Within 24 hours of receiving the injury tracking form, the Safety Officer should follow up with the parent/guardian of the injured player/person and verify the information received, obtain any other information necessary, and check on the status of the injured player/person. 

IF MEDICAL ATTENTION IS REQUIRED , the Little League Accident Notification Form must be completed by the parent/guardian or injured adult as well as a league official (preferably the safety officer).

This form must be submitted to Little League International within 20 days of the incident. It serves to report the injury to Little League, as well as activate the secondary insurance policy carried by Little League.* 

Why do we document and report injuries and near misses? 

Injury tracking, including near misses, can reveal patterns, which helps inform injury prevention efforts (such as field, training or officiating issues).

Ensures league officials are aware of an injury, follow-up with the family or injured person, and make certain they recover; this includes ensuring(SYN) appropriate return to play after an injury.

Injuries requiring medical attention need to be documented and reported to Little League International. 

*The Little League Player Accident Policy, underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company (a member company of AIG). is an excess coverage, accident only plan, to be used as a supplement to other insurance carried under a family policy or insurance provided by an employer. The policy is subject to a $50 deductible that is the responsibility of the claimant. If a covered injury requires necessary treatment in the form of medical services or supplies provided by a physician, nurse, therapist, or other medical professional within 30 days after the date of the accident the Company will pay the reasonable expenses incurred. 

Such reasonable expenses must be incurred within 52 weeks after the date of the injury to be considered (subject to any deferred benefits). The maximum accident medical expense benefit is $100,000 for any one injury to any one Insured. 

The role of parents and coaches in injury prevention is crucial. When a child complains of arm pain, they MUST act in the best interests of the child.  46% of youth respondents said they were encouraged on at least one occasion to keep playing despite having arm pain (Makhni EC, AJSM).

Risk factors for elbow pain in baseball/softball:

• Pitching while fatigued
• Poor Pitching Mechanics
• Pitch Velocity
• Pitch Counts (120-130/140 per game)

Prevention strategies

• Limit fatigue and overuse by following pitching/throwing guidelines, taking periodic time off from baseball/softball, and using age-appropriate strength and conditioning programs (consult a professional).
• Maintain range of motion throughout the body and the shoulder.
• Preparing to throw: Warm up to throw, don’t Throw to warm-up! (see next)

DYNAMIC WARM-UP FOR BASEBALL & SOFTBALL

Warm up to throw, don’t throw to warm up!

Begin with a general body warm-up that mimics baseball movements to increase the heart rate and blood flow to muscles, and to prepare the body for more intense versions of these movements.

Progress to a dynamic warm-up that involves gentle, repetitive movements that gradually increase the range of motion, and stays within the normal range of motion. The goal of a warm-up is to optimize , not maximize , the range of motion.

Examples of dynamic warm-ups for baseball and softball from the University of Rochester Sports Medicine .

Our Mountain Community knows full well that the weather can change rapidly up here. Weather is a safety issue as well!

Current weather-tracking technology is better that it’s ever been, which means it’s becoming easier to identify potentially inclement conditions. Checking the weather before a game or practice is an easy task. Coaches and umpires should be quick to postpone a practice or game if the weather conditions become dangerous, Down Load a cell phone app to Monitor: Example is 

Desktop & Mobile Weather Apps | WeatherBug

https://www.weatherbug.com › appdownload

Download the desktop and mobile apps to get the most precise weather forecasts from weather stations in your neighborhood. 

Thunder and Lightning:

The old adage “If you hear it, clear it; if you see it, flee it” is an important one. Baseball and softball fields are big, open spaces, which are susceptible to potential lightning strikes. A strike can hit from up to 10 miles away, which means it could happen before you even see dark clouds in the sky. The only way to be as prepared as possible for a thunderstorm is to monitor the weather. If a storm should strike, have everyone head to an enclosed space. Cars are also safe. Shelter houses without walls and dugouts are NOT safe places. Be sure to wait at least 30 minutes after the storm to begin resuming activities, being sure to monitor the weather anyway you can.