Involved in a Safety Incident?

(1) Call the League Safety Officer:

Andy Shapiro: 533-4212 or 319-4212

(2) Complete an Incident Reporting Form:

Call 911 if it is an emergency!

_______________________________________

Hershey Little League / Hershey Baseball
2008 Safety Manual

Introduction - ASAP - What is it?

In 1995, ASAP (A Safety Awareness Program) was introduced with the goal of re-emphasizing the position of Safety Officer "to create awareness, through education and information, of the opportunities to provide a safer environment for kids and all participants of Little League Baseball". In order to be an ASAP-compliant league, a Little League approved Safety Plan must be filed with Williamsport.

Hershey Little League / Hershey Baseball Safety Plan

The goal of the Safety Plan is to develop guidelines for increasing the safety of activities, equipment, and facilities through education, compliance and reporting. In support of the attainment of this goal, HLL / HBA also commits itself to providing the necessary organizational structure to develop, monitor, and enforce the aspects of the plan.

The Safety Plan, by reference, the League's Safety Code, the Code of Conduct, and the League's Safety Manual. The combination of these documents outlines specific safety issues and the policy or procedure for each issue. All participants, volunteers, employees, spectators, and guests are bound by the guidelines set forth in these documents.

Director of Safety

One of the elected members on this Board is the Director of Safety. This individual acts as the League's primary point of contact for the creation and enactment of the Safety Plan. The Director of Safety authors or modifies the League's Safety Plan, Code of Conduct, Safety Code, and Safety Manual each year, as necessary. These documents are then presented to the Board for approval and ratification (usually in February or March) for the upcoming season. Upon approval the document and reporting forms are uploaded to the Leagues website at www.hersheylittleleague.com .

The ultimate responsibility for ensuring compliance of the Safety Plan lies with the Director of Safety. However, all board officers and coaches are responsible for ensuring that the plan is followed.

Rules Committee

This committee, consisting of the League President in concert with the Chief Umpire is responsible for drafting any proposed new or modified Local Rules for the League. Areas such as competitive balance, player participation, speed of play, and safety are discussed and any changes or additions are presented to the Board for discussion and/or ratification. Each and every year, this committee evaluates existing Local Rules and considers any necessary changes and/or additions to these rules

Volunteer Background Check

All Volunteers in the League shall give permission for the League to conduct a background check using the Little League Volunteer Application, which may include a review of criminal and child abuse records maintained by governmental agencies. All volunteers understand that if appointed, their position is conditional upon the league receiving no inappropriate information on their background. Every volunteer shall release and agree to hold harmless from liability the local Little League, Little League Baseball, Incorporated, the officers, employees and volunteers thereof, or any other person or organization that may provide such information. I also understand that regardless of previous appointments I may not be appointed to a volunteer position. If appointed all volunteers are subject to suspension by the President and removal by the Board of Directors.

Background checks are performed by the Safety Officer or designee on all volunteers each year. Little League provides a free background check service through Choicepoint (http://littleleague.choicepoint.com).

Code of Conduct

The League Code of Conduct has been adopted by the Board of Directors. The Director of Safety, the League President, and the League Vice President enforce this Code. All league officers, participants, employees and volunteers are required to abide by this code. It is the job of the Director of Safety to author and/or make any revisions to this Code of Conduct from year to year, as necessary.

League Code of Conduct:

Speed limit 5 mph in roadways and parking lots while attending any LEAGUE function. Watch for small children around parked cars.
No alcohol allowed in any parking lot, field, or common areas within a LEAGUE complex.
No playing in parking lots at any time.
No playing on and around lawn equipment.
Use crosswalks when crossing roadways. Always be alert for traffic.
No profanity at any time at any LEAGUE function.
No swinging bats at any time within the walkways and common areas of a LEAGUE complex.
No throwing baseballs at any time within the walkways and common areas of a LEAGUE complex.
No throwing balls against dugouts or against backstop. Catchers must be used for all batting practice sessions.
All gates to the fields must remain closed at all times. After players have entered or left the playing field, all gates should be closed and secured.
No children under the age of 16 are to be permitted in the Snack Bars.
No throwing rocks.
No horse play in walkways at any time.
No climbing fences.
No pets are permitted at games or practices.
Only a player on the field and at bat may swing a bat (Age 5 - 12). Juniors (Age 13) on the field at bat or on deck may swing a bat. Be alert of the area around you when swinging bats while in the on deck position.
Observe all posted signs. Players and spectators be alert at all times for foul balls and errant throws.
During games, players must remain in the dugout in an orderly fashion at all times.
After each game, each team must clean up trash in dugout and around stands.
Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in expulsion from the Complex.

Safety Code

The League Safety Code has been adopted by the Board of Directors and is enforced by the Director of Safety, the League President, and the League Vice President. All league officers, participants, employees and volunteers are required to abide by this code.

It is the job of the Director of Safety to make any revisions to the Safety Code from year to year, as necessary.

League Safety Code

Responsibility for safety procedures should be that of all adult members of LEAGUE.
Arrangements should be made in advance of all games and practices for emergency medical services
Managers, coaches and umpires should have training in first aid. First-aid kits are issued to each team manager and are located at each concession stand.
No games or practices should be held when weather or field conditions are not good, particularly when lighting is inadequate.
Managers, coaches and/or umpires will inspect and check play area before practices and games for holes, damage, stones, glass and other foreign objects.
All team equipment should be stored within the team dugout, or behind screens, and not within the area defined by the umpires as "in play".
Only players, managers, coaches, and umpires are permitted on the playing field or in the dugout during games and practice sessions.
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.
Procedure should be established for retrieving foul balls batted out of playing area.
During practice and games, all players should be alert and watching the batter on each pitch.
During warm-up drills players should be spaced so that no one is endangered by wild throws or missed catches.
Equipment should be inspected regularly for the condition of the equipment as well as for proper fit.
During practices and the season it is the responsibility of the managers to inspect their team’s equipment and request replacements for that equipment not meeting standards.
In the off season it is the responsibility of the League Equipment Officer to insure all equipment not meeting standards is replaced.
Batters must wear Little League approved protective helmets during batting practice and games.
Catcher must wear catcher's helmet, mask, throat guard, long model chest protector, shin guards and protective cup with athletic supporter at all times (males) for all practices and games. NO EXCEPTIONS. Managers should encourage all male players to wear protective cups and supporters for practices and games.
Except when runner is returning to a base, head first slides are not permitted.
During sliding practice, bases should not be strapped down or anchored.
At no time should "horse play" be permitted on the playing field · Parents of players who wear glasses should be encouraged to provide "safety glasses"
Player must not wear watches, rings, pins or metallic items during games and practices.
The Catcher must wear catcher's helmet and mask with a throat guard in warming up pitchers. This applies between innings and in the bull-pen during a game and also during practices.
Managers and Coaches may not warm up pitchers before or during a game.
On-deck batters are not permitted (except in the Juniors Division).
All pre-game warm-ups should be performed within the confines of the playing field and not within areas that are frequented by, and thus, endanger spectators (i.e., playing catch, pepper, swinging bats, etc.)

Injury Reporting Procedures

The following reporting procedures should be used by all managers, coaches, parents, umpires, and volunteers concerning injuries.

What to report

An incident that causes any player, manager, coach, umpire, or volunteer to receive medical treatment and/or first aid must be reported to the Director of Safety. The terms "medical treatment and/or first aid" should include even passive treatments such as the evaluation and diagnosis of the extent of the injury. Any incident that (a) causes a player to miss any practice or game time; or (b) any event that has the potential to require medical assistance must be reported promptly.

When to report

All such incidents described above must be reported to the Director of Safety within 48 hours of the incident. The Director of Safety for 2008, Andy Shapiro, can be reached at the following:

Day and Evening Phone: 717-533-4212
Cell: 717-319-4212
Email: otismidas@aol.com

How to make the report

Reporting incidents can come in a variety of forms. Most typically, they are telephone conversations. At a minimum, the following information must be provided:

The name and phone number of the individual involved (or of 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.

A League Incident Report should be filled out and submitted to the Safety Officer after initial notification. Forms are located on the web site at www.hersheylittleleague.com and an example form is in Attachment 1 of this manual.

Director of Safety's Responsibilities

The Director of Safety will receive this injury report and will enter it into the league's safety database. Within 48 hours of receiving the incident report, the Director of Safety will contact the injured party or the party's parents and

Verify the information received;
Obtain any other information deemed necessary;
Check on the status of the injured party; and
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 League's insurance coverage’s and the provisions for submitting any claims for reimbursement.

If the extent of the injuries is more than minor in nature, the Director of Safety shall periodically call the injured party to

Check on the status of any injuries, and
To check if any other assistance is necessary in areas such as submission of insurance forms, etc. 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).

General Health

Physical Exams

With regard to the general health of its participants, Little League includes the following wording in its Registration Booklet:

"While physical exams are not required by league policy, National Little League strongly recommends that participants be in good general health. If your child has a physical impairment that the league should be aware of, PLEASE note the information on the registration form, and contact your leagues' Player Agent. Items such as allergies, eye problems, diabetes, etc., will be kept confidential, except that your child's manager and coach will be aware of any potential problem."

Medical Approval and Release

The League registration form shall contain a medical release and a request for medical information. That information will be provided to all managers. This form contains vital information regarding the child's current general health, the child's doctor's name, address, and phone number, and any other special medical considerations (i.e. allergies, etc.). Managers are strongly encouraged to have this information with them for every practice and game.

Communicable Disease Procedures

While the risk of one participant infecting another with HIV/AIDS during league activities is small, there is a remote risk other blood borne infectious disease can be transmitted. 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.
Routine use of gloves or other precautions 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.
Clean all blood-contaminated surfaces and equipment with a solution made from a proper dilution of household bleach or other disinfectant before competition resumes.
Practice proper disposal procedures to prevent injuries caused by needles and other sharp instruments or devices.
Although saliva has not been implicated in HIV transmission, to minimize the need for emergency mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, or other ventilation devices should be available for use.
Managers, coaches, umpires, and volunteers with bleeding or oozing skin should refrain from all direct athletic care until condition is resolved.
Contaminated towels should be disposed of or disinfected properly.
Follow acceptable guidelines in the immediate control of bleeding and when handling bloody dressings and other articles containing body fluids.

Training Opportunities

HLL / HBA will hold at least one safety class and one fundamentals training class in 2008.

These will be on-going each year and will require at least one manager/coach from each team to attend.

All managers and coaches are required to attend a safety and a fundamentals training once every three years.

Parents and “part-time” coaches are encouraged to attend as well.

Each year, classes will be held in February and March once coaches are selected.

Additionally, LEAGUE will host a Safety Information table at the Opening Day Event each year. The Hershey Volunteer Fire Company will provide basic information and discussion on safety practices related to typical sports injuries.

Emergency Phone Numbers for Safety Plan

Police Department	717-
Medical or Police Emergency #	911

Manager's Expectations

What Do I Expect from My Players?

Be on time for all practices and games.
Always do their best whether in the field or on the bench.
Be cooperative at all times and share team duties.
Respect not only others, but themselves as well.
Be positive with teammates at all times.
Try not to become upset at their mistakes or those of others ... we will all make our share this year and we must support one another.
Understand that winning is only important if you can accept losing, as both are important parts of any sport.

What Can You and Your Child Expect from Me?

Be on time for all practices and games.
Be as fair as possible in giving playing time to all players.
Do my best to teach the fundamentals of the game.
Be positive and respect each child as an individual.
Set reasonable expectations for each child and for the season.
Teach the players the value of winning and losing.
Be open to ideas, suggestions or help.
Never holler at any member of my team, the opposing team or umpires. Any confrontation will be handled in a respectful, quiet and individual manner.

What Do I Expect from You as Parents and Family?

Come out and enjoy the game. Cheer to make all players feel important.
Allow me to coach and run the team.
Try not to question my leadership. All players will make mistakes and so will I.
Do not holler at me, the players or the umpires. We are all responsible for setting examples for our children. We must be the role models in society today. If we eliminate negative comments, the children will have an opportunity to play without any unnecessary pressures and will learn the value of sportsmanship.
If you wish to question my strategies or leadership, please do not do so in front of the players or fans. My phone number will be available for you to call at any time if you have a concern. It will also be available if you wish to offer your services at practice. A helping hand is always welcome.

Finally, don't expect the majority of children playing Little League baseball to have strong skills. We hear all our lives that we learn from our mistakes. Let's allow them to make their mistakes, but always be there with positive support to lift their spirits.

Some Important Do's and Don'ts

Do...

Reassure and aid children who are injured, frightened, or lost.
Provide, or assist in obtaining, medical attention for those who require it.
Know your limitations.
Carry your first-aid kit to all games and practices.
Keep your "Prevention and Emergency Management of Little League Baseball and Softball Injuries" booklet with your first-aid kit.
Assist those who require medical attention - and when administering aid, remember to ...
LOOK for signs of injury (Blood, Black-and-blue deformity of joint etc.).
LISTEN to the injured describe what happened and what hurts if conscious. Before questioning, 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.
Have your players' Medical Clearance Forms with you at all games and practices.
Make arrangements to have a cellular phone available when your game or practice is at a facility that does not have any public phones.

Don't...

Administer any medications
Provide any food or beverages (other than water)
Hesitate in giving aid when needed
Be afraid to ask for help if you're not sure of the proper procedures (i.e., CPR, etc.)
Transport injured individuals except in extreme emergencies
Leave an unattended child at a practice or game
Hesitate to report any present or potential safety hazard to the Director of Safety immediately.

Lightning Evacuation Procedures

Stop Game/Practice.
Stay away from metal fencing (including dugouts) !!
Do not hold a metal bat.
Walk, don't run to car and wait for a decision on whether or not to continue the game or practice.

Lightning Facts and Safety Procedures

WHEN YOU HEAR IT - CLEAR IT

WHEN YOU SEE IT - FLEE IT

Consider the following facts:

The average lightning stroke is 6 - 8 miles long.
The average thunderstorm is 6 -10 miles wide and travels at a rate of 25 miles per hour.

Once the leading edge of a thunderstorm approaches to within 10 miles, you are at immediate risk due to the possibility of lightning strokes coming from the storm’s overhanging anvil cloud (for example, the lightning that injured 13 people during a concert at RFK during 1999 occurred while it was sunny and dry).

On the average, thunder can only be heard over a distance of 3 - 4 miles, depending on humidity, terrain, and other factors. This means that by the time you hear the thunder, you are already in the risk area for lightning strikes.

“Flash-Bang” Method

One way of determining how close a recent lightning strike is to you is called the “flash-bang” method. With the “flash-bang” method, a person counts the number of seconds between the sight of a lightning strike and the sound of thunder that follows it. Halt-play and evacuation should be called for when the count between the lightning flash and the sound of its thunder is 15 seconds or less.

Rule of Thumb

The ultimate truth about lightning is that it is unpredictable and cannot be prevented. Therefore, a manager, coach, or umpire who feels threatened by an approaching storm should stop play and get the kids to safety - regardless of whether or not the lightning detector goes off, or if the “flash-bang” proximity measure applies. When in doubt, the following rule of thumb should be applied:

Where To Go

No place is absolutely safe from the lightning threat, but some places are safer than others. Large enclosed shelters (substantially constructed buildings) are the safest (like our snack bars and press boxes). For the majority of participants, the best area for them to seek shelter is in a fully enclosed metal vehicle with the windows rolled up. If you are stranded in an open area and cannot get to shelter in a car, put your feet together, crouch down, and put your hands over your ears (to try and prevent eardrum damage).

Where Not To Go!

Avoid high places and open fields, isolated trees, unprotected gazebos, rain or picnic shelters, dugouts, flagpoles, light poles, bleachers (metal or wood), metal fences, and water.

First Aid to a Lightning Victim

Typically, the lightning victim exhibits similar symptoms as that of someone suffering from a heart attack. In addition to calling 911, the rescuer should consider the following:

The first tenet of emergency care is “make no more casualties”. If the victim is in a high-risk area (open field, isolated tree, etc.) the rescuer should determine if movement from that area is necessary - lightning can and does strike the same place twice. If the rescuer is at risk, and movement of the victim is a viable option, it should be done.
If the victim is not breathing, start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If it is decided to move the victim, give a few quick breaths prior to moving them.
Determine if the victim has a pulse. If no pulse is detected, start cardiac compressions as well.

Note: CPR should only be administered by a person knowledgeable and trained in the technique.

Keep It Clean: Concession Stand Tips

‘12 Steps to Safe and Sanitary Food Service Events’.

The following information is intended to help you run a healthful concession stand. Following these simple guidelines will help minimize the risk of food borne illness.

Menu. Keep your menu simple, and keep potentially hazardous foods (meats, eggs, dairy products, protein salads, cut fruits and vegetables, etc.) to a minimum. Avoid using precooked foods or leftovers. Use only foods from approved sources, avoiding foods that have been prepared at home. Complete control over your food, from source to service, is the key to safe, sanitary food service.
Cooking. Use a food thermometer to check on cooking and holding temperatures of potentially hazardous foods. All potentially hazardous foods should be kept at 41º F or below (if cold) or 140º F or above (if hot). Ground beef and ground pork products should be cooked to an internal temperature of 155º F, poultry parts should be cooked to 165º F. Most food borne illnesses from temporary events can be traced back to lapses in temperature control.
Reheating. Rapidly reheat potentially hazardous foods to 165º F. Do not attempt to heat foods in crock pots, steam tables, over sterno units or other holding devices. Slow-cooking mechanisms may activate bacteria and never reach killing temperatures.
Cooling and Cold Storage. Foods that require refrigeration must be cooled to 41º F as quickly as possible and held at that temperature until ready to serve. To cool foods down quickly, use an ice water bath (60% ice to 40% water), stirring the product frequently, or place the food in shallow pans no more than 4 inches in depth and refrigerate. Pans should not be stored one atop the other and lids should be off or ajar until the food is completely cooled. Check the temperature periodically to see if the food is cooling properly. Allowing hazardous foods to remain unrefrigerated for too long has been the number ONE cause of food borne illness.
Hand Washing. Frequent and thorough hand washing remains the first line of defense in preventing food borne disease. The use of disposable gloves can provide an additional barrier to contamination, but they are no substitute for hand washing!
Health and Hygiene. Only healthy workers should prepare and serve food. Anyone who shows symptoms of disease (cramps, nausea, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, jaunt-dice, etc.) or who has open sores or infected cuts on the hands should not be allowed in the food concession area. Workers should wear clean outer garments and should not smoke in the concession area. The use of hair restraints is recommended to prevent hair ending up in food products.
Food Handling. Avoid hand contact with raw, ready-to-eat foods and food contact surfaces. Use an acceptable dispensing utensil to serve food. Touching food with bare hands can transfer germs to food.
Dishwashing. Use disposable utensils for food service. Keep your hands away from food contact surfaces, and never reuse disposable dishware. Ideally, dishes and utensils should be washed in a four-step process:

Washing in hot soapy water;
Rinsing in clean water;
Chemical or heat sanitizing; and
Air drying.

Ice. Ice used to cool cans/bottles should not be used in cup beverages and should be stored separately. Use a scoop to dispense ice; never use the hands. Ice can become contaminated with bacteria and viruses and cause food-borne illness.
Wiping Cloths. Rinse and store your wiping cloths in a bucket of sanitizer (example: 1 gallon of water and ½ teaspoon of chlorine bleach). Change the solution every two hours. Well sanitized work surfaces prevent cross-contamination and discourage flies.
Insect Control and Waste. Keep foods covered to protect them from insects. Store pesticides away from foods. Place garbage and paper wastes in a refuse container with a tight-fitting lid. Dispose of wastewater in an approved method (do not dump it outside). All water used should be potable water from an approved source.
Food Storage and Cleanliness. Keep foods stored off the floor at least six inches. After your event is finished, clean the concession area and discard unusable food

Clean Hands for Clean Foods

Since the staff at concession stands may not be professional food workers, it is important that they be thoroughly instructed in the proper method of washing their hands. The following may serve as a guide:

Use soap and warm water.
Rub your hands vigorously as you wash them.
Wash all surfaces including the backs of hands, wrists, between fingers and under fingernails.
Rinse your hands well.
Dry hands with a paper towel.
Turn off the water using a paper towel, instead of your bare hands.
Wash your hands in this fashion before you begin work and frequently during the day, especially after performing any of these activities:

After touching bare human body parts other than clean hands and clean, exposed portions of arms.
After using the restroom.
After caring for or handling animals.
After coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue.
After handling soiled surfaces, equipment or utensils.
After drinking, using tobacco, or eating.
During food preparation, as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross-contamination when changing tasks.
When switching between working with raw food and working with ready-to-eat food.
Directly before touching ready-to-eat food or food-contact surfaces.
After engaging in activities that contaminate hands.

Storage Shed Procedures and Lights

The following applies to all of the storage sheds used by the League and apply to anyone who has been issued a key or code by The League to use those sheds. All individuals with keys or codes to the League equipment sheds (i.e., Managers, Umpires, etc.) are aware of their responsibilities for the orderly and safe storage of rakes, shovels, bases, etc.

Before you use any machinery located in the shed (i.e., lawn mowers, weed whackers, lights, scoreboards, public address systems, etc.) please locate and read the written operating procedures for that equipment.

All chemicals or organic materials stored in the League sheds shall be properly marked and labeled as to its contents. All chemicals or organic materials (i.e., lime, fertilizer, etc.) stored within these equipment sheds will be separated from the areas used to store machinery and gardening equipment (i.e., rakes, shovels, etc.) to minimize the risk of puncturing storage containers. Any witnessed “loose” chemicals or organic materials within these sheds should be cleaned up and disposed of as soon possible to prevent accidental poisoning.

Do not allow children to turn the field lights on or off or to operate any league equipment.

Summary

Remember, safety is everyone's job. Prevention is the key to reducing accidents to a minimum. Don't play on a field that is not safe or with unsafe playing equipment. Report all hazardous conditions to the Director of Safety or another Board member immediately. Be sure your players are fully equipped at all times, especially catchers and batters. And check your team's equipment often.

Safety Policy and Incident Reporting