2020 SAFETY CLINICFor Managers and Coaches

Virtual MeetingsMarch 16th and 18th

Purpose:To increase safety awareness among all members

of the league by giving guidance in the form of communication, education and training

Agenda:

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION: Anthony Ardis, SPLL President

OVERVIEW OF SAFETY PLAN: Guy DiSalvo, SPLL Safety Officer

COACH ORIENTATION: Anthony Ardis, SPLL President

Safety Officer’s Responsibilities

DEVELOP SAFETY BUDGET

COMMUNICATEConduct Pre-season Clinic

Ensure each team receives the Safety Manual

CHECKMake spot checks for first aid kits/manuals at practices & games, restock as necessary

Check fields with managers

ASSISTHelp Parents with Insurance Claims

Communicate to Board of Directors suggestions and concernsMaintain Safety Log to track injuries

ASSESS SAFETY PLANReview, Submit, Distribute and Post

Background Checks

RESPONSIBILITY OF MANAGERS AND COACHESMonitor parents and any other volunteers and report to

President or Safety Officer any concerns

To add a volunteer: Managers should ask their division director to nominate each candidate. League President, VP or Safety

Officer will initiate the volunteer form/background check. Candidate will receive an email from JDP.

WHOAny Volunteer: board member, manager, coach, league official,

others with any regular contact with children.

As of March 16th, 2020 we have completed 103 background checks.

Note that SPLL has moved to a paperless process.

Accident Reporting Procedures

WHEN TO REPORTWithin 48 hours, fill out League Safety “Accident Notification

Form” and send to Guy Disalvo - guydis25@gmail.com.

WHAT TO EXPECT FIRSTContact with the injured party/parents within 48 hours to:

Verify informationObtain other information

Check on status of injured partyAdvice on SPLL insurance coverage and provisions

WHAT HAPPENS NEXTInjury report entered into SPLL database

Periodic check-ins as necessary

WHAT TO REPORTAny incident that causes a player, manager, coach, umpire or

volunteer to receive medical treatment and/or first aid

Returning to Play

According to Little League Baseball International 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.”

Little League Insurance

The Little League Insurance Program is designed to afford protection to all participants at the most economical cost to the local league.

The Little League Player Accident Policy 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

parent’s employer.

This plan makes it possible to offer exceptional, affordable protection with assurance to parents

that adequate coverage is in force for all chartered and insured Little League approved

programs and events.

Important Dos and Don’ts

DOReassure and aid children who are injured, frightened or lost

Provide or assist in obtaining medical attention when required

Know your limitations

Know the location of first aid kits at all fields

Assist those who require attention:LOOK for signs of injury

LISTEN to the injuredFEEL gently and calmly

Have players’ Medical Release Forms at all games and practices

Make arrangements to have a cell phone available where facility does not have public phones

Important Dos and Don’ts

DON’TPractice or play without a signed medical release

Administer any medications (except for participant-provided EpiPen)

Provide food or beverages (other than water)

Hesitate in giving aid when needed

Be afraid to ask for help if you’re not sure of proper procedures

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 Safety Officer

Be alone with a child not your own – instead have your child at least and another parent or coach stay until child’s parent arrives

Urgent Medical AssistanceWHEN TO CALL 9-1-1

If the person is unconscious, call the local police immediately at 914-769-1941

We suggest calling the town police because they know the fields and their precise location. They can respond sooner to critical emergencies. If you don’t have this

number or cannot get in touch with town police for any reason, call 911.

Also, if the victim:- 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 the police and request paramedics

Checklist for Managers, Coaches & Umpires

SAFE PLAYING AREASRegularly inspect all fields (practice and game), structures, and dugouts, and check for:

- Holes, damage, rough or uneven spots- Glass, rocks, and foreign objects

- Damage to screens or fences- Unsafe conditions around the backstop, pitcher’s mound, or warning track

- Proper attire by the catcher at all times, including in bullpens and between innings

SAFE PROCEDURESManagers and coaches must:

- Have all players’ medical release forms at every practice and game- Have first aid kit at all practices and games

- Have access to a telephone in case of emergencies- Know where closest emergency shelter is

- Ensure warm-up procedures are completed- Stress the importance of paying attention (no “horseplay”)

- Instruct the players on proper fundamentals- Have at least 2 coaches at each practice

Checklist for Managers, Coaches & Umpires

SAFE EQUIPMENTAll equipment shall be inspected before use. Managers, coaches, and umpires should:

- Be sure all equipment is LL approved- Inspect all bats, helmets, and other equipment on a regular basis

- Remind a boys that cup protection is mandatory- Keep loose equipment stored properly

- Have players remove jewelry- Encourage parents to provide safety glasses or face guards for players who wear glasses

- Repair or replace defective equipmentCheck out Little League International for approved bats and rules governing bats

BATTING CAGE RULES- MUST be supervised by adults at all times

- ALL participant MUST wear helmets- Protective nets MUST be used by pitchers or those feeding machines

- Only 1 batter and 1 pitcher allowed in a single cage at one time- ONLY Manager and Coaches and Players of SPLL are allowed to use facilities. Parents can help

in the cage only if they were background checked as an assistant coach.

Weather Conditions

BEFORE EVERY GAME OR PRACTICE- Check the weather forecast before leaving for a game or practice

- Watch for signs of an approaching storm- Postpone activities if storms are imminent

LIGHTNING AND THUNDERSTORMS- When lightning is observed or thunder heard, clear the field and move to a safe location. Do

not go under a tree or stay in the dugout- If no sturdy shelter is near, get inside a hard top automobile

- Stay away from water, metal pipes, or electric linesPlayers may not return to field until 30 minutes after the last lightning strike or thunder clap

IF SOMEONE IS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING- The person will carry no electrical charge and is safe to touch

- Call the town police or 9-1-1 ASAP- Check for burns on body- Give first aid as needed

- If breathing and/or heartbeat have stopped, perform CPR until EMS arrives- Contact League Safety Officer or President ASAP

Coaches Orientation

TEAM ROLES

- Managers run the team, communicate with parents/coaches/division directors, ensure safety, work with coaches and other volunteers to facilitate practices and games. Managers set lineups and make in-game decisions.

- Coaches support the Manager in each of their responsibilities.

- Other volunteers may assist at practices and in games to fill a vacancy, announce a game or help in the snack stand.

- All roles within a team require a background check.

- Volunteers will not be assigned to a team if their profile does not exist in the system, or if their profile is not associated to a player (unless we happen to know which player they should be linked with).

- Managers are required to keep a scorebook and as part of this they are required to log the volunteers that are in the dugout during each game, as well as the Umpire.

Coaches Orientation, continued

IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS

- Conduct – Kids will emulate your actions. Parents will too. This is recreational baseball and softball. Set the right example. Severe misconduct will result in penalty and/or suspension. Managers who do NOT act in the capacity of managing (ie. Ignore their responsibilities, fail to communicate with directors, managers, parents, players) will be replaced by a Coach.

- Communication is key. Inform parents of upcoming events, their role (ie. Fill out medical releases and photo registration), and changes in schedule. Utilize the SI Play app.

- Field Maintenance – delegate field maintenance responsibilities to parents and players. Keep the dugouts clean and rake the field if you have the last game of the day. Do this to ensure you get to play on the nicer fields.

- Maintain Equipment – keep your bag clean, especially when you return it. Pickups TBD.

- Rainouts/Makeup games – will be assigned by the League. This is NOT subject to manager or coach feedback. Our goal will be to schedule make-ups within a week but this may not always be possible. 12 games are needed to meet the requirement for LL Tournament play.

Coaches Orientation, continued

IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS, continued

- Field assignment – Intention is for Majors will play all games on Broadway and Volunteer, Minors to play some games on Broadway and Volunteer Field, clinic to play a one or two at most. Managers of a home game on Volunteer will staff the snack bar.

- Practice schedule – division directors will communicate the practice slot that you received. Do not begin practice until fields have been prepped, presumably by April 6th, given the COVID-19 evolving situation.

- Master schedule – league software will show all practices and games for your team. Expect all entries to be made in the coming weeks. These events will be visible in your team SI Play App.

- Umpires – Treat the umpires with respect. One umpire will not catch all plays. Home teams are responsible for paying the umpires. You will receive a check from Joe Delpozzo in advance of the season. You are expected to return unused funds to SPLL. Umpire assignment is based on availability and NOT subject to manager or coach feedback or approval. Umpire assignment is NOT expected to be proportionate to each team.

Coaches Orientation, continued

IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS, continued

- Throwing arms – Pitch counts and catcher limitations will be enforced. Be conservative. Colder temperatures and early season starts require LOWER pitch counts. Safety is our priority.

- Pitch Count Process - Majors and Minors baseball will report pitch counts. Local rules may be adjusted to ensure lower pitch counts at the start of the season.

Coaches Orientation, continued

OPENING DAY (April 18th)

- Photos – Online registration is preferred. Forward the link and remind your parents that they should fill it out ahead of photo day. You are responsible as managers to corral your players in the cafeteria before photos. No late starts. Overcommunicate the importance of early arrival and online registration! Expect photo schedules two weeks prior to Opening Day –pending possible adjusted timelines due to COVID-19. Communicate to your team when you receive your schedule. Manager requests for new time slots will not be accommodated.

- Marching – inform your team to be at HES Upper no later than 10:40AM. Players will march up Chelsea, past the local businesses, then to Broadway.

- Opening Ceremony – will be brief, on field. Keep the players on the grass.

- Lunch – will be served compliments of Applebees. Teams playing at 1pm will get their food first.

- Opening Games at 1pm-ish on Broadway and Volunteer. Communicate this to your parents and players. Encourage them to stay for the games!

- Rain date is April 19th.

LOCAL RULE HIGHLIGHTS➢ Field & Dugout maintenance➢ Volunteer snack bar duties➢ Tournament hosting responsibility➢ Pitch counts in the early part of the season➢ 4 total adults in the dugout – Minors and below.➢ 3 total adults in the dugout – Majors and above.➢ Managers CANNOT choose their own call-ups. Division Directors will assign.➢ No bunting in Minors.

2020 SAFETY CLINICQuestions?