Comprehensive Guide to Developing a Little League Safety Plan

DEVELOPING A SAFETY PLAN STARTING FROM SCRATCH IS HARD, BUT IMPORTANT, WORK IT IS ESPECIALLY HARD IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE POSITION. YOU MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A PREVIOUS SAFETY PLAN FOR REFERENCE I AM GOING TO PRESENT LITTLE LEAGUE S REQUIREMENTS FOR A LEAGUE SAFETY PLAN. BY ADDRESSING THESE, YOU COME UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY PLAN THAT FITS YOUR LEAGUE I WILL OFFER A MODEL SAFETY PLAN SET UP SO YOU CAN MODIFY IT TO MATCH YOUR LEAGUE LITTLE LEAGUE HAS NOT PUBLISHED THE SAFETY PLAN REQUIREMENTS FOR 2021, THEY WILL COME OUT IN EARLY DECEMBER

WHY WRITE A SAFETY PLAN? LEAGUES WITH SAFETY PLANS IN PLACE EXPERIENCE FEWER INJURIES OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON THAN LEAGUES WITHOUT A SAFETY PLAN. LITTLE LEAGUE KNOWS THIS IS TRUE VIA ACCIDENT STATISTICS YOU GET A MONETARY BREAK ON YOUR LL INSURANCE THROUGH TIMELY SUBMISSION OF YOUR SAFETY PLAN WRITING AND REVIEWING THE SAFETY PLAN HELPS YOU BECOME MORE FAMILIAR WITH YOUR FACILITY FROM A SAFETY POINT OF VIEW AND AWARE OF POTENTIAL ISSUES YOU CAN ACT TO HEAD OFF BY BEING THE FACE OF YOUR SAFETY PLAN YOU CAN GAIN AUTHORITY IN THE EYES OF OTHERS THINK PROACTIVE VERSUS REACTIVE (WHICH IS A LOT MORE WORK)

SAFETY PLAN INFORMATION 15 LL REQUIREMENTS FOR A LEAGUE SAFETY PLAN DEVELOPING A SAFETY PLAN RAISES SAFETY AWARENESS HAVING A SAFETY PLAN GIVES A REFERENCE POINT FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION SEVERAL INSURANCE FORMS AND INSURANCE CLAIM INFORMATION SHOULD SUPPORT THE SAFETY PLAN THERE ARE NUMEROUS POSTERS AVAILABLE TO ENHANCE SAFETY AWARENESS IN YOUR FACILITY BY BEING SAFETY AWARE, YOU CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE ALL INVOLVED, ESPECIALLY THE PLAYERS, CAN ENJOY THEMSELVES

REQUIREMENT #1: SAFETY OFFICER ACTIVE SAFETY OFFICER ON FILE WITH LITTLE LEAGUE (Data Center) LIST SAFETY OFFICER CONTACT INFO IN SAFETY PLAN YOU WILL BE THE FIRST PERSON TURNED TO IN THE EVENT OF AN INJURY YOU MAY CONSULT WITH OTHER BOARD MEMBERS ON NEXT STEPS YOU MAY ALSO CONSULT WITH ME. I AM HERE TO HELP!

#2: SAFETY MANUAL DISTRIBUTION PUBLISH AND DISTRIBUTE SAFETY MANUAL TO VOLUNTEERS MAY USE LEAGUE WEBSITE FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION- BOARD MEMBERS, LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP, UMPIRES YOU MUST EMAIL A WEBSITE LINK TO ALL RELEVANT PERSONNEL TEAMS, EQUIPMENT/MAINTENANCE FACILITIES, SCOREBOOTHS AND SNACK BAR SHOULD HAVE PRINTED COPIES FOR REFERENCE PRINTED COPIES OF YOUR LEAGUE SAFETY MANUAL ARE REQUIRED FOR CA DISTRICT 33 TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATION- ONE MANUAL WITH EACH TEAM PARTICIPATING SHARE A DIGITAL COPY WITH THE DISTRICT SAFETY OFFICER

#3 EMERGENCY PLAN POST AND LIST EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS- POLICE, FIRE DEPARTMENT, POISON CONTROL LIST KEY LEAGUE OFFICIAL S CONTACT INFORMATION- CELL PHONE AND EMAIL- PRESIDENT, VP, SAFETY OFFICER, PLAYER AGENT(S), CAN INCLUDE ALL BOARD MEMBERS CONTACT LEAGUE SAFETY OFFICER OR PRESIDENT TO REPORT AND BEGIN TRACKING INJURIES

#4 VOLUNTEER APPLICATION VOLUNTEERS MAY FILL OUT THE CURRENT YEAR S VOLUNTEER APP MUST BE DONE EVERY YEAR, BEGINNING ON JANUARY 1st. THIS YEAR S VOLUNTEER APPLICATION EXPIRES DECEMBER 31st THIS PROCESS MAY BE DONE ONLINE VIA JDP, PROVIDED YOU HAVE VERIFIED THE ACCURATE SPELLING OF THE PROSPECTIVE VOLUNTEER S FULL NAME ON A GOVERNMENT ISSUED PHOTO ID AND HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL. JDP WILL TAKE THE NAME AND EMAIL AND PROMPT THE INDIVIDUAL TO COMPLETE THE VOLUNTEER APPLICATION ONLINE A DESIGNATED LEAGUE OFFICIAL IS ABLE TO TRACK THE PROCESS

VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION NO INDIVIDUAL MAY PARTICIPATE IN LEAGUE ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING TRYOUTS, PRACTICES OR GAMES WITHOUT HAVING SUBMITTED AND PASSED A BACKGROUND CHECK PRACTICE COACHES MUST ALSO PASS A BACKGROUND CHECK, EVEN IF THEY DO NOT INTEND TO COACH DURING GAMES ANY VOLUNTEERS OR HIRED WORKERSWHO PROVIDE REGULAR SERVICE TO THE LEAGUE AND/OR HAVE REPETITIVE ACCESS TO OR CONTACT WITH PLAYERS OR TEAMS MUST BE BACKGROUND CHECKED THIS INCLUDES: LEAGUE OFFICIALS, COACHES, UMPIRES, TEAM PARENTS, REPEAT GAME SCORERS, REPEAT SNACK BAR WORKERS

#5 FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING ONE COACH OR MANAGER FROM EACH TEAM MUST ATTEND A QUALIFIED COACHES FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING EACH YEAR HAVING ATTENDED, THE COACH IS QUALIFIED FOR THIS SEASON AND THE NEXT TWO SEASONS. THIS IS TRACKED ON THE CA DISTRICT 33 WEBSITE. ONLY CA DISTRICT 33 APPROVED CLINICS WILL BE COUNTED YOUR SAFETY MANUAL MUST LIST TWO FUNDAMENTALS CLINIC DATES FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON WITH ADVANCE CA DISTRICT 33 APPROVAL, LEAGUES MAY HOST FUNDAMENTALS CLINICS FOR THEIR LEAGUE AND OTHER LEAGUES IN THE DISTRICT. PARTICIPANTS MUST HAVE PASSED BACKGROUND CHECKS AND BE REGISTERED WITH LL VIA THE DATA CENTER

#6 FIRST AID/SAFETY AWARENESS ONE COACH OR MANAGER FROM EACH TEAM MUST ATTEND A QUALIFIED FIRST AID/SAFETY AWARENESS TRAINING EACH YEAR HAVING ATTENDED, THE COACH IS QUALIFIED FOR THIS SEASON AND THE NEXT TWO SEASONS. THIS IS TRACKED ON THE CA DISTRICT 33 WEBSITE. ONLY CA DISTRICT 33 APPROVED CLINICS WILL BE COUNTED YOUR SAFETY MANUAL MUST LIST TWO FIRST AID/SAFETY AWARENESS CLINIC DATES FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON WITH ADVANCE CA DISTRICT 33 APPROVAL, LEAGUES MAY HOST FIRST AID CLINICS FOR THEIR LEAGUE AND OTHER LEAGUES IN THE DISTRICT. PARTICIPANTS MUST HAVE PASSED BACKGROUND CHECKS AND BE REGISTERED WITH LL VIA THE DATA CENTER

#7 CHECK FIELD CONDITIONS COACHES AND UMMPIRES ARE REQUIRED TO WALK THE FIELD PRIOR TO GAMES TO ENSURE THE FIELD IS IN PLAYABLE CONDITION ANY ANOMOLIES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED COMMON SENSE PREVAILS- ANY BROKEN GLASS, HOLES, SLICK AREAS? IDENTIFY WHO IS MOST RESPONSIBLE- FOR EXAMPLE: HOME TEAM PREPS INFIELD, VISITING TEAM CHECKS THE OUTFIELD. UMPIRES, ESPECIALLY FOR THE FIRST GAME, SHOULD WALK THE FIELD UNLESS INFORMED IT WAS DONE BY COACHES

#8 FACILITY SURVEY IN ORDER FOR THE LEAGUE SAFETY PLAN TO BE APPROVED, A FACILITY SURVEY MUST BE COMPLETED FOR THE CURRENT YEAR THIS IS BUILT INTO THE LEAGUE SAFETY PLAN SUBMISSION. YOU CAN SEE THE DATA FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR AS YOU UPDATE IT FOR THIS SEASON. YOU CAN PRINT A FACILITY SURVEY TO WORK FROM IF YOU NEED TO VERIFY ANY DETAILS PREVIOUSLY LISTED THE FACILITY SURVEY CAN ONLY BE COMPLETED ONLINE VIA THE DATA CENTER

#9 CONCESSION STAND SAFETY WRITTEN PROCEDURES REGARDING WHO MAY WORK IN THE CONCESSION STAND- AGE MINIMUMS, FOOD PREP TRAINING SIGNS/POSTERS AND TRAINING IN FOOD PREP SAFETY ARE REQUIRED SAFETY PROCEDURES IN THE LEAGUE SAFETY MANUAL TRAINING SHOULD COVER USE, CARE AND INSPECTION OF EQUIPMENT

#10 EQUIPMENT CHECK MANAGER AND COACHES RESPONSIBLE FOR CHECKING PLAYING EQUIPMENT- BATS, HELMETS, CATCHER S GEAR BEFORE EACH USE DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED UMPIRES MAY CHECK THE SAME EQUIPMENT, BUT IT WILL BE REMOVED FROM PLAY IF DEFECTIVE ONLY LITTLE LEAGUE APPROVED BATS (CURRENT YEAR) MAY BE USED FOR GAMES OR TOURNAMENTS IRREPAIRABLE EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE DESTROYED SO IT DOES NOT SHOW UP AGSIN WITH SOMEONE ELSE

#11 ACCIDENT REPORTING ACCIDENTS TO BE REPORTED TO THE LEAGUE SAFETY OFFICER OR PRESIDENT WITHIN 24-48 HOURS INJURY TRACKING REPORT INITIATED IF MEDICAL ATTENTION IS WARRANTED, AN ACCIDENT CLAIM FORM IS TO BE WRITTEN STARTED BY THE MANAGER/COACH WITH FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE INJURY. SAFETY OFFICER REVIEWS, PARENTS COMPLETE THEIR PART OF THE ACCIDENT CLAIM FORM YOUR LEAGUE SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAILING THE CLAIM FORM AFTER MAKING A COPY FOR THE LEAGUE AND PARENTS ESTABLISHING A CLAIM IS IMPORTANT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL

#12 FIRST AID KITS FIRST AID KITS ARE REQUIRED TO BE AT EVERY GAME AND PRACTICE THEY SHOULD REMAIN WITH THE TEAM EQUIPMENT BAG, NOT A COACH OR MANAGER (WHO MAY BE ABSENT) THIS REQUIREMENT MUST BE NOTED IN YOUR LEAGUE SAFETY PLAN TEAM FIRST AID KITS ARE REQUIRED FOR TOURNAMENTS, EVERY DIVISION

#13 ENFORCE LITTLE LEAGUE RULES LITTLE LEAGUE RULES EXIST FOR THE SAFETYOF THE PLAYERS, COACHES AND BYSTANDERS (FANS) PLAYERS, CATCHERS INCLUDED, NEED TO HAVE THE APPROPRIATE SAFETY EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING ATHLETIC CUPS COACHES AND MANAGERS NEED TO ENFORCE SAFETY RULES AT PRACTICES AS WELL AS GAMES COACHES AND MANAGERS ARE EXPECTED TO FOLLOW THE COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT WHICH IS PART OF YOUR LEAGUE SAFETY PLAN RULE 3.09 ADULTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CATCH/WARM UP PITCHERS INCLUDING DURING BATTING PRACTICE

#14 PLAYER AND COACH DATA REGISTERED PLAYERS AND COACHES AND MANAGERS WHO HAVE BEEN BACKGROUND CHECKED ARE TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE DATA CENTER FOR YOUR LEAGUE IN THE EVENT OF AN INJURY, THIS LIST WILL BE REVIEWED BY LL TO MAKE SURE THE INJURED INDIVIDUAL IS LISTED AND THUS, COVERED, BY LL INSURANCE INDIVIDUALS NOT LISTED IN THE DATA CENTER AS HAVING A ROLE IN YOUR LEAGUE MAY NOT BE COVERED IN THE EVENT OF AN INJURY- THE LIABILITY MAY FALL TO YOUR LEAGUE, WHICH COULD DEVASTATE YOUR BUDGET PLAYER/COACH REGISTRATION DATA MUST BE SUBMITTED TO LL BEFORE YOUR LEAGUE SAFETY PLAN IS APPROVED

#15 SURVEY QUESTION EACH YEAR, A SURVEY QUESTION IS POSED BY LITTLE LEAGUE 2020: Is your league aware of Abuse Awareness training provided by USA Baseball and SafeSport? PROVIDE DATA ON THE NUMBER OF COACHES WHO COMPLETED THE TRAINING FYI, ABUSE AWARENESS TRAINING WAS REQUIRED BY EACH CA D-33 LEAGUE FOR ALL COACHES, MANAGERS AND BOARD MEMBERS ;AST SEASON 2021 SURVEY QUESTION HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED, SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY DECEMBER, THE SOONEST LEAGUE SAFETY PLANS CAN BE SUBMITTED FOR NEXT YEAR

2021MODEL SAFETY PLAN AS SOON AS LITTLE LEAGUE FINALIZES AND PUBLISHES THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A LEAGUE SAFETY PLAN FOR 2021, I WILL DEVELOP AND POST ON THE NEW CA DISTRICT 33 LITTLE LEAGUE WEBSITE A MODEL SAFETY PLAN FOR 2021 EACH YEAR I CAREFULLY REVIEW THE CURRENT SAFETY PLAN AND LOOK AT WHETHER THE LANGUAGE CAN BE MODERNIZED OR IN SOME CASES, SIMPLIFIED THIS YEAR WILL INCLUDE A STATEMENT ABOUT ADHERING TO STATE, COUNTY AND LOCAL GUIDELINES FOR COVID19, AMONG OTHER CHANGES. ANY LEAGUE MAY USE THE MODEL SAFETY PLAN AS A STARTING POINT AND CHANGE IT TO FIT THEIR LEAGUE OR, DEVELOP THEIR OWN LEAGUE SAFETY PLAN

LEAGUE SAFETY PLAN DUE DATES LITTLE LEAGUE ASKS THAT YOU SUBMIT A DIGITAL COPY OF YOUR LEAGUE S SAFTY PLAN TO CA DISTRICT 33 AS WELL AS TO THEM IF YOU SUBMIT TO ME AHEAD, I LOOK FOR DATE DISCREPANCIES, AWKWARD LANGUAGE OR MISSING DETAILS LEAGUE SAFETY PLANS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO CA DISTRICT 33 BY THE JANUARY DISTRICT MEETING, THE FIRST THURSDAY IN JANUARY YOUR SAFETY PLAN SHOULD BE IN PLACE (SUBMITTED AND APPROVED) BY THE TIME ANY PLAYER TRYOUTS START TREAT FEBRUARY 1STAS THE LATEST DEADLINE FOR SAFETY PLAN SUBMISSION I AM AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU DEVELOP YOUR PLAN. OUR DISTRICT IS AT 100% SUBMISSION FOR 20 YEARS, 18 UNDER MY WATCH