safety - sportsengine · 2019. 1. 20. · safety player safety is a key concern and responsibility...

SafetyPlayersafetyisakeyconcernandresponsibilityofallcoachesandparents.Eachyear,morethan100,000childrenages5to14aretreatedinhospitalemergencyroomsforbaseballorso:ballrelatedinjuries.Threetofourchildrendiefrombaseballinjurieseachyear.

Baseball and so:ball related injuries involve theheadmore thananyotherpartof thebody.ProtecBve equipment, safe playing environments and playing by the rules help to preventinjuriesfromoccurringwhileteachingplayerssafewaystohavefun.

WaylandLiGleLeagueplacesthesafetyofallofourchildren,coachesandspectatorsaboveallelse.PleasereviewthissecBonforanoverviewofourpoliciesregardingsafety.

Coaches Safety Code

• ArrangementsshouldbemadeinadvanceofallgamesandpracBcesforemergencymedicalservices.

• Managers,coachesandumpiresshouldhavesometraininginfirst-aid.First-aidkitsshouldbeavailableatthefield.

• No games or pracBce should be held when weather or field condiBons are not good,parBcularlywhenlighBngisforecasted.

• Playareashouldbeinspectedfrequentlyforholes,damage,glassandotherforeignobjects.• DugoutsandbatracksshouldbeposiBonedbehindscreens.• Onlyplayers,managers,coaches,andumpiresarepermiGedontheplayingfieldduringplay

andpracBcesessions.• DuringpracBceandgames,allplayersshouldbealertandwatchingthebaGeroneachpitch.• Duringwarm-updrillsplayersshouldbespacedsothatnooneisendangeredbywildthrows

ormissedcatches.• Equipmentshouldbeinspectedregularlyandensureitfitsplayersproperly.• BaGersmustwearapprovedprotecBvehelmetsduringpracBceandduringgames.• Catchersmustwear catcher’shelmet,mask, throatprotector, longmodel chestprotector,

shin-guardsandmalecatchersmustwearaprotecBvesupporteratallBmes.• HeadfirstslidesarenotpermiGed(12yearsoldandunder).• DuringslidingpracBcebasesshouldnotbestrappeddownandshouldbelocatedawayfrom

thebaseanchoringsystem.• AtnoBmeshould“horseplay”bepermiGedontheplayingfield.• Parentsofplayerswhowearglassesshouldbeencouragedtoprovide“safetyglasses.”• Playersmustnotwearwatches,rings,pins,jewelryorothermetallicitems.• Catchers must wear catcher’s helmet and mask with a throat protector in warming up

pitchers.ThisappliesbetweeninningsandinbullpenpracBce.

Safe Playing Conditions Beforeallowingplayerstobeginusinganyfacility,anassessmentshouldbetakenofthefacility.If something is found to be unsafe, or jeopardize the safety of players, coaches, umpires orspectatorsitmustrecBfiedbeforeanyLiGleLeagueacBvitycantakeplace.

Indoor Facilities FaciliBes located indoors shouldbe inspected forunsafeplaying condiBons,prior to acBviBescommencing. Report all problems or potenBal safety hazards with the facility to the leaguecommissionerorsafetyofficer immediately. If indoubt,keepplayersawayfromanypotenBalhazardsunBltheproblemisrecBfied.

Outdoor Facilities Coaches should check for thegeneral condiBonof thefield /of all outdoor faciliBespair toLiGleLeagueacBvescommenBng.Coachesshouldinspecttheplayingfieldandmakesureit issafeforplay.Checkfor:• Walk the field prior to every pracBce and game. Look for problem areas such as holes,

damagedfences,loosebags,etc.• Haveplayers report all problemsor potenBal safety hazardswith thefield to the coaches

immediately.• Ensureallplayersareawareofthefencesandgates.• Holes,damagedfences,loosebags,etc.• GeneralcondiBonofthefield.• Holes,lowspots,largerocks.• Flooding,standingwater/puddles.• Pitchersmound.• Baserunningpaths• Theintegrityoffencesandbenches.• Theinfieldorouaieldisclearofanygarbageordebris.• Keepfingersinsidethedugout!Alinedrivehidngafingergraspingachainlinkfenceisvery

painful.Report all problemsor potenBal safety hazardswith thefield to the league commissioner orsafetyofficer immediately. If indoubt,keepplayersawayfromanypotenBalhazardsunBltheproblemisrecBfied.

Inclement Weather Conditions

If the Wayland recreaBon department determines that fields are open the Wayland LiGleLeaguecommissionersandcoacheswillmakefinaldeterminaBononwhetherit issafetoplayuptotheBmeofthegameorpracBce.OnceagameorpracBcehasbegunandthereisanysubsequentdeterminaBonorreasonthatsafety with regard to inclement weather may be in an issue, it is the responsibility of thecommissioner,coach,umpireorparenttoraisethisissue. If there is any quesBon that the weather condiBons are causing a safety hazard to players,coaches or umpires, play should be halted immediately and if necessary players should bemovedtoasafeplace.

Note:Whenthereisthreatofrain,thunderandlightning,WaylandLiGleLeagueaskcoachestoensurethatALLPARENTSremainatthefieldormakesureyourchildhasadesignatedadultthatisNOTacoach,umpireorWaylandLiGleLeagueofficial.BeforeacBviBesbeginorrecommence,weatherandfieldcondiBonsmustbethatthatallsafetyissueshavebeen addressed and areno longer a factor to the safety of players, umpires andcoaches.

Lighting

Lightning is themost consistent and significantweather hazard thatmay affect LiGle Leaguebaseball. Within the USA, the NaBonal Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) esBmates that 100fataliBes and 400-500 injuries requiringmedical treatment occur from lightning strikes everyyear. While the probability of being struck by lightning is extremely low, the odds aresignificantly greater when a storm is in the area and the proper safety precauBons are notfollowed.When there is threat of rain, thunder and lightning, Wayland LiGle League ask coaches toensurethatALLPARENTSremainatthefieldormakesureyourchildhasadesignatedadultthatisNOTacoach,umpireorWaylandLiGleLeagueofficial.

• Ifaflash-to-bangcountof30seconds isobserved,all individualsshouldhave le:thefieldandreachedasafestructureorlocaBon.

• Thescheduledeventsmayneedtobeterminated. • WhenconsideringresumpBonofanathleBcacBvity,WLLrecommendsthateveryoneshould

ideallywaitat least30minutesa:erthe lastflashof lightningorsoundof thunderbeforereturningtothefieldoracBvity.

ThefollowingstepsarerecommendedbytheNSSLtomiBgatethelightninghazard:(ReprintedwithpermissionfromNCAAandNSSL,forinformaBonalpurposedonly)

• DesignateachainofcommandastowhomonitorsthreateningweatherandwhomakesthedecisiontoremoveteamsorindividualsfromanathleBcsiteorevent. AnemergencyplanshouldincludeplannedinstrucBonsforparBcipantsaswellasspectators.

• Obtain a weather report each day before a pracBce or event. Be aware of potenBalthunderstormsthatmayformduringscheduledinterscholasBcathleBceventsorpracBces.

• BeawareofNaBonalWeatherService-issued(NWS)thunderstormwatchesandwarningsaswell as the signs of thunderstorms developing nearby. A watch means condiBons are

favorableforsevereweathertodevelop inanarea;awarningmeansthatsevereweatherhasbeenreportedinanareaandforeveryonetotakeproperprecauBons.

• KnowwheretheclosestsafestructureorlocaBonistothefieldorplayingarea,andknowhowlongittakestogettothatsafestructureorlocaBon.

• SafestructureorlocaBonisdefinedas:- Any building normally occupied or frequently used by people, i.e. a building with

plumbingand/orelectricalwiringthatactstoelectricallygroundthestructure.- Intheabsenceofasturdy,frequently inhabitedbuilding,anyvehiclewithahardmetal

roof (not a converBble or golf cart) and rolled-upwindows can provide ameasure ofsafety. Avehicle is certainlybeGer than remainingoutdoors. It isnot the rubberBresthatmakeavehicleasafeshelter,butthehardmetalroofwhichdissipatesthelightningstrikearoundthevehicle.DONOTTOUCHTHESIDESOFTHEVEHICLE!

• Beawareofhowcloselightningisoccurring. Theflash-to-bangmethodistheeasiestandmost convenient way to esBmate how far away lightning is occurring. Thunder alwaysaccompanieslightning,eventhoughitsaudiblerangecanbediminishedduetobackgroundnoiseintheimmediateenvironment,anditsdistancefromtheobserver. Tousetheflash-to-bangmethod,countthesecondsfromtheBmethelightningissightedtowhentheclapof thunder is heard. Divide this number by five to obtain how far away (in miles) thelightningisoccurring. Forexample,ifanindividualcounts15secondsbetweenseeingtheflashandhearingthebang,15dividedbyfiveequalsthree;therefore,thelightningflashisapproximately3milesaway.

• Lightningawarenessshouldbeincreasedwiththefirstflashoflightningorthefirstclapofthunder, no maGer how far away. This acBvity must be treated as a wake-up call tointerscholasBcathleBcpersonnel. Themost importantaspect tomonitor ishowfarawaythelightningisoccurring,andhowfastthestormisapproaching,relaBvetothedistanceofasafeshelter.

• Asaminimum,NSSLstaffstronglyrecommendthatbytheBmethemonitorobtainsaflash-to-bangcountof30seconds,allindividualsshouldhavele:theathleBcsiteandreachedasafestructureorlocaBon.AthleBceventsmayneedtobeterminated.

• The existence of blue sky and the absence of rain are not protecBon from lightning.Lightningcan,anddoesstrikeasfaras10milesawayfromtherainsha:. Itdoesnothavetoberainingforlightningtostrike.

• Ifno safe structureor locaBon iswithina reasonabledistance,finda thickgroveof smalltreessurroundedbytallertreesoradryditch. AssumeacrouchedposiBononthegroundwithonlytheballsofthefeettouchingtheground,wrapyourarmsaroundyourkneesandloweryourhead.Minimizecontactwiththeground,becauselightningcurrento:enentersa vicBm through the ground rather than by a direct overhead strike. MINIMIZE YOURBODY'SSURFACEAREA,ANDMINIMIZECONTACTWITHTHEGROUND!DONOTLIEFLAT!Ifunabletoreachsafeshelter,stayawayfromthetallesttreesorobjects(suchaslightpolesorflagpoles),metalobjects(suchasfencesorbleachers),individualtrees,standingpoolsorwater,andopenfields.Avoidbeingthehighestobjectinafield.Donottakeshelterunderasingle,talltree.

• Apersonwhofeelshisorherhairstandonend,orskinBngle,shouldimmediatelycrouch,asdescribedabove.

• Avoid using the telephone, except in emergency situaBons. People have been struck bylightningwhileusingaland-linetelephone.AcellularphoneorportableremotephoneisasafealternaBvetoland-linephones,ifthepersonandtheantennaarelocatedwithinasafestructureorlocaBon,andifallotherprecauBonsarefollowed.

• WhenconsideringresumpBonofanathleBcacBvity,NSSLstaffrecommendsthateveryoneshouldideallywaitat least30minutesa:erthelastflashoflightningorsoundofthunderbeforereturningtothefieldoracBvity.

• People who have been struck by lightning do not carry an electrical charge. Therefore,cardiopulmonaryresuscitaBon(CPR)issafefortheresponder.Ifpossible,aninjuredpersonshouldbemovedtoasaferlocaBonbeforestarBngCPR. Lightning-strikevicBmswhoshowsignsofcardiacorrespiratoryarrestneedemergencyhelpquickly. Prompt,aggressiveCPRhasbeenhighlyeffecBveforthesurvivalofvicBmsoflightningstrikes.

Equipment

As with all sports, wearing and using the right gear can go a long way toward prevenBnginjuries.WaylandLiGleLeagueprovideeachteamakitbackwhichincludesbats,balls,helmetsandcatchersgear.ThisequipmentshouldbeinspectedonaregularbasistoensurethatitisingoodgoodandserviceablecondiBonandfitforpurpose.InaddiBonthereareruleswhichmustbeobservedinbothgamesandpracBcestoensurethesafetyofplayersatallBmes.

• Badnghelmetsmustbewornwheneveraplayer isatbat,waiBng tobat,or running thebases.Helmets shouldalwaysfitproperlyandbeworncorrectly. If thehelmethasa chinstrap, it shouldbe fastened,and if thehelmethasaneye shieldorother faceguard, thisshouldbeingoodcondiBon,securelyaGachedtothehelmet.

• Acatchermustalwayswearahelmet,facemask,throatguard,full-lengthchestprotector,athleBcsupporterwithacup,shinguardsandacatcher'smiGwhenevertheyarecatchingpitches,whetherit'sinthegame,inthebullpenorduringwarm-ups.

• ClipsOUTonshinguards.Clipsinwillgetcaughtandtriptheplayer.• AppropriatesportsshoesshouldbewornappropriatetothesurfacethegameorpracBceis

beingplayedon.Baseballcleatsongrass/clayaresuggested.

• BaseballcleatsmusthavemoldedplasBcorrubbercleats.MetalcleatsarenotpermiGedatthe LiGle League Level. Some players use soccer cleats that meet these guidelines arepermiGed.

• It is recommended that all players wear athleBc supporters; most, parBcularly pitchers,catchersandinfielders,shouldwearprotecBvecups.

• ProtecBveeyewearforchildrenwithglassesorcontacts.

BatsBatspresentaveryseriousdangertoplayerswhen misused or used negl igent ly.Consequently the use of bats are to bestrictlycontrolledbythecoaches.Rules governing the use of bats must beintroducedatthefirstpracBceandreinforcedtotheplayersbeforeeachpracBceandgame.• Bats are only to be picked up when

instructedbyacoach.• When carrying a bat it must be held

down to the groundwith a straight armanddraggedbehindtheplayer

• Playersmustneverswingtheirbatunlessdirectedbythecoach.• Players must never swing their bat around other people (players, coaches, umpires,

spectatorsetc).Checkfirstthatthereisnoonearoundyou!!• Usethe,“DoubleDistance”rule.Playerswithbatsmustbemorethantwobatlengthsaway

fromthenextclosestplayer.• Alwaysswingthebatundercontrol.• Alwaysdropthebat.Neverthrowit.• Alwayswearahelmet,whenondeck,duringlivebadngpracBceorbadnginagame.• Batsarenevertobeheldorswunginthedugoutoronthebench.• Batsmustbeeitherplacedinaplayersequipmentbag,placedonabatrackorneatlyplaced

leaningagainstafencewhennotinuse.

At Bat / BattingWhilebadngisthereallyfunandexciBngpartofbaseball it must also be done in an appropriatemannerwithregardtosafetyissues.Whether badng takes place in a pracBce or agame badng should be carried out in a safe,controlledenvironment.ThepotenBalforplayerstobehitbyabatishighunlesssomerulesareintroducedimmediatelyandreinforcedeachBmethereisapracBceoragame.Other common sense ways include wearingquality,league-approvedsafetygear,andregularly

inspecBngtheequipmentandplayingfield.Badnghelmetsmustbewornwheneveraplayerisatbat,waiBngtobat,orrunningthebases.• Helmetsshouldalwaysfitproperlyandbeworncorrectly.Ifthehelmethasachinstrap,it

shouldbefastened,andifthehelmethasaneyeshieldorotherfaceguard,thisshouldbeingoodcondiBon,securelyaGachedtothehelmet.

• EnsurethebatisLiGleLeagueapproved.• Usetherightsizebatfortheplayers(oncesizedoesnotfitall)• MakesurethebatgripsareingoodcondiBon.• BatsshouldbeingoodcondiBonandnotdamaged.• Alwaysswingthebatundercontrol.• Alwaysdropthebat.Neverthrowit.

Safety when battingThe potenBal for players to be hit by a bat or a thrown ball is high unless some rules areintroducedimmediatelyandreinforcedeachBmethereisapracBceoragame.Whether badng takes place in a pracBce or a game badng should be carried out in a safe,controlledenvironment.• Theareashouldbeappropriateandfreeofhazards.• Badnghelmetsmustbewornwheneveraplayer isatbat,waiBng tobat,or running the

bases.• Helmetsshouldalwaysfitproperlyandbeworncorrectly.• Ifthehelmethasachinstrap,itshouldbefastened.• Ifthehelmethasaneyeshieldorotherfaceguard,thisshouldbeingoodcondiBon,

securelyaGachedtothehelmet.• BatsmustbeinserviceablecondiBon,notdamagedandbeLiGleLeagueapproved.• Playersshouldusetherightsizebatfortheirageandsize.• EnsurethatbatgripsareingoodcondiBon.• Playersshouldalwaysswingthebatundercontrol.• Playersmustalwaysdropthebat.Neverthrowit.• WhenplayersstepintothebaGersbox-bereadyfortheballtobepitched.• PitchersmustnotthrowtheballunBlthebaGeris

Safety using and handling batsBatspresentaveryseriousdangertoplayerswhenmisusedorusednegligently.Consequentlytheuseofbatsaretobestrictlycontrolledbythecoaches.Rulesgoverningtheuseofbatsmustbe introducedatthefirstpracBceandreinforcedtotheplayersbeforeeachpracBceandgame.• Batsareonlytobepickedupwheninstructedbyacoach.• Whencarryingabat itmustbehelddowntothegroundwithastraightarmanddragged

behindtheplayer• Playersmustneverswingtheirbatunlessdirectedbythecoach.• Players must never swing their bat around other people (players, coaches, umpires,

spectatorsetc).Checkfirstthatthereisnoonearoundyou!!

• Usethe,“DoubleDistance”rule.Playerswithbatsmustbemorethantwobatlengthsawayfromthenextclosestplayer.

• Alwaysswingthebatundercontrol.• Alwaysdropthebat.Neverthrowit.• Alwayswearahelmet,whenondeck,duringlivebadngpracBceorbadnginagame.• Batsarenevertobeheldorswunginthedugoutoronthebench.• Batsmustbeeitherplacedinaplayersequipmentbag,placedonabatrackorneatlyplaced

leaningagainstafencewhennotinuse.

Throwing and Catching

Baseballs are extremely hard and canreachupwardsof60mph.Thispresentsareal hazard to players coaches andspectators. This dangerwill only increaseas players get older and stronger, (andballs get harder) therefore these rulesshould be adhered to at all LiGle Leaguelevels not just the instrucBonal leaguelevel.Afewbasicrulescanensurecangoalongway to ensuring everyone is as safe astheycanbe.Coacheshavearesponsibilityfor:• Controllingthecircumstancesaroundwhereandwhenaplayershouldthrowaball.• Ensuringplayersonlythrowballswheninstructedtodoso.• All players should be throwing in the same direcBon with adequate separaBon between

adjacentplayers.• Makingsureplayersdon’ttrytoretrieveballsinthelineofballsbeingthrown• Ensuringthatappropriateballsareuseforyouragegroup/league.(T-ballleaguesuseso:er

ballsthanthemajorsandminorsleaguesforexample.)

PlayersshouldbecoachedtounderstandafewsafetyprecauBonsaroundwhenandwheretheyshouldthrowballs.

Playersshould:• Alwayswarmupandwarmtheirarmsupbeforethrowingbegins.• Alwaysthrowtoanotherplayerundercontrol.• AlwayshaveplayersfacetheballduringbadngpracBce.• Ensureplayersfacetheballandpresentatarget(gloveup)whencatching.• Donotthrowtheballunlesstheirpartnerislookingatthem.• Learnproperthrowingtechniquessuchas:releasingtheballoutinfrontofthebodya:er

thearmpasses thehead,usinga smooth throwingmoBonandkeeping theireyeson thetarget.

• Beawareoftheirsurroundings(otherplayers/obstacles/etc)• Neverusedamagedorwetbaseballs.• WhenpitchingtoabaGer-waitforthebaGertobeinposiBonandbereadytoreceivethe

pitch.• Ifindoubt-don'tthrowtheball.

Throwing / Pitching

Thereareanumberofriskstoplayerswhenthrowingorpitchingbaseball,thatofbeingstruckby a baseball or an injury as a result of throwing a baseball. Stepsmust taken to protectsplayersfrom

• Ensure that appropriate balls are use for your age group / league. (LiGle League T-ballleaguesuseso:erballsthanthemajorsandminorsleaguesandshouldnotbegivenharderbaseballs.)

• Damagedorwetbaseballsmustnotbeused.• Playersshouldalwayswarmupadwarmtheirarmsupbeforethrowingbegins• Makesureplayerslearnproperthrowingtechniquessuchas:releasingtheballoutinfront

of thebodya:er thearmpasses thehead,usinga smooth throwingmoBonandkeepingtheireyesonthetarget.

• Playersshouldalwaysthrowtoanotherplayerundercontrol.• AlwayshaveplayersfacetheballduringbadngpracBce.• Donotthrowtheballunlesstheirpartnerislookingatthem.• Ensureplayersfacetheballandpresentatarget(gloveup)whencatching.• Proper throwing and pitching technique should be taught and reinforced to reduce the

chanceofinjury.• LiGleLeagueprovidesageappropriatepitchcountsforpitchersduringgames-thesecounts

mustbeadheredto.• Ageappropriateplayer restperiodsmustbe consideredandadhered towhen scheduling

gamesandrosters.

Concussion Concussion, a type of traumaBc brain injury, is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head.Concussionscanalsooccur fromablowto thebodythatcauses theheadandbrain tomoverapidlybackandforth-literallycausingthebraintobouncearoundortwistwithintheskull.Thissuddenmovementofthebraincausesstretchingandtearingofbraincells,damagingthecellsandcreaBngchemicalchangesinthebrain.Concussionscanresultfromafallorfromathletescollidingwitheachother,theground,orwithanobstacle,suchasagoalpost.Evena“ding,”“gedngyourbellrung,”orwhatseemstobeamildbumporblowtotheheadcanbeserious.AsacoachyouareonthefrontlineinidenBfyinganathletewithasuspectedconcussion.Youknow your athletes well and can recognize when something is off—even when the athletedoesn’tknowitordoesn’twanttoadmitit.

Sotohelpspotaconcussion,youshouldwatchforandaskotherstoreportthefollowingtwothings: 1.Aforcefulbump,blow,orjolttotheheadorbodythatresultsinrapidmovementofthe head. AND 2. Any concussion signs or symptoms, such as a change in the athlete’sbehavior,thinking,orphysicalfuncBoning.

Signsandsymptomsofconcussiongenerallyshowupsoona:ertheinjury.ButthefulleffectoftheinjurymaynotbenoBceableatfirst.Forexample,inthefirstfewminutestheathletemightbeslightlyconfusedorappearaliGlebitdazed,butanhourlatertheycan’trecallcomingtothepracBceorgame.Youshouldrepeatedlycheckforsignsofconcussionandalsotellparentswhattowatchoutforathome.Anyworseningofconcussionsignsorsymptomsindicatesamedicalemergency.

SYMPTOMSREPORTEDBYATHLETE:• Headacheor“pressure”inhead• NauseaorvomiBng• Balanceproblemsordizziness• Doubleorblurryvision• SensiBvitytolight• SensiBvitytonoise• Feelingsluggish,hazy,foggy,orgroggy• ConcentraBonormemoryproblems• Confusion• Justnot“feelingright”oris“feelingdown”

SIGNSOBSERVEDBYCOACHINGSTAFF:• Appearsdazedorstunned• IsconfusedaboutassignmentorposiBon• ForgetsaninstrucBon• Isunsureofgame,score,oropponent• Movesclumsily• AnswersquesBonsslowly• Losesconsciousness(evenbriefly)• Showsmood,behavior,orpersonalitychanges•Can’trecalleventspriortohitorfall• Can’trecalleventsa:erhitorfall

NomaGerwhethertheathlete isakeymemberoftheteamorthegame isabouttoend,anathletewith a suspected concussion should be immediately removed from play. To help youknowhowtorespond,followtheHeadsUpfour-stepacBonplan:

1.REMOVETHEATHLETEFROMPLAY.Lookforsignsandsymptomsofaconcussionifyourathletehasexperiencedabumporblowtotheheadorbody.Whenindoubt,sitthemout!

2. ENSURE THAT THE ATHLETE IS EVALUATED BY AN APPROPRIATE HEALTH CAREPROFESSIONAL.Donottrytojudgetheseverityoftheinjuryyourself.Healthcareprofessionalshaveanumberofmethodsthattheycanusetoassesstheseverityofconcussions.Asacoach,recordingthefollowinginformaBoncanhelphealthcareprofessionalsinassessingtheathletea:ertheinjury:• Causeoftheinjuryandforceofthehitorblowtotheheadorbody• Anylossofconsciousness(passedout/knockedout)andifso,forhowlong• Anymemorylossimmediatelyfollowingtheinjury•Anyseizuresimmediatelyfollowingthe

injury• Numberofpreviousconcussions(ifany)

3.INFORMTHEATHLETE’SPARENTSORGUARDIANS.Let them know about the possible concussion and give them the Heads Up fact sheet forparents.Thisfactsheetcanhelpparentsmonitortheathleteforsignorsymptomsthatappearorgetworseoncetheathleteisathomeorreturnstoschool.

4.KEEPTHEATHLETEOUTOFPLAY.AnathleteshouldberemovedfromplaythedayoftheinjuryandunBlanappropriatehealthcareprofessionalsaystheyaresymptom-freeandit’sOKtoreturntoplay.A:eryouremoveanathletewithasuspectedconcussionfrompracBceorplay,thedecisionaboutreturntopracBceorplayisamedicaldecision.

PLAYERSWHOHAVESUFFEREDPOSSIBLECONCUSSIONS PursuanttoCDCtrainingandWLLpolicy,anyWLLplayerwhohasreceivedablowtotheheadanddemonstratesoneormoresigns/symptomsofaconcussionduringpracBceoragamemustberemovedfromtheacBvityandexaminedbyamedicalprofessional.

Thatplayermaynotresumeplayingforhis/herleagueteam,ineitherpracBcesorgames,unBltheplayer'sheadcoachreceiveswriGenmedicalclearancefromtheplayer'smedicalproviderorviawriGenparentcommunicaBonthatmedicalclearancehasbeenreceived.

Themedicalclearancemuststateeither:1. Theplayerdidnotreceiveaconcussionfromtheblowtothehead;or2. The player did receive a concussion from the blow to the head, but has sufficiently

recoveredsuchthathe/shecanreturntoplay.

AllWayland LiPle League head coaches must take the following on-line training from theCentersforDiseaseControl:hPp://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/coach.html

Moredetailscanbefoundatwww.waylandliPleleague.org>Resources>CoachesCorner• Coachesmust provide their cerBficate of compleBon to their league commissioner before

commencinganyLiGleLeaguerelatedpracBcesororganizedevents.

Player safety factorsAswithmanysports,therearetwotypesofcommonbaseballandso:ballinjuries-impact,andoveruse.Impact,ortraumaBcinjuriesarecausedbysuddencontactwiththeground,anobject,oranotherperson.Commoncausesofimpactbaseballinjuriesincludebeingstruckbyabatorball, or colliding with another player. Overuse baseball injuries are those that occur fromexcessiveuseofthewrist,arm,andshoulderjointsfrompitchingandbadngtheball.

• PerformdynamicstretchingbeforeeverygameandpracBce.• PerformstaBcstretchinga:ereverygameandpracBce(SeeWarminguptheAthlete).• EnsureplayerswhoweareyeglasseswearathleBceyeglassesoreyeglasseswithstraps.• Ensureplayerskeephydratedduringanda:erallgamesandpracBces–especiallyonhot

days.RegularbreaksforplayerstotakeonfluidsareessenBal.• EnsuretheplayerspayaGenBonandneverclownaround.• BeawareofandtakeintoaccountofanymedicalcondiBonsyourplayersmayhave.• Haveplayersinformthecoachimmediatelyiftheyaresickorinjured.Don’tplayplayerswho

areillorinjured,nomaGerhowmuchtheyareneeded.• Bandage all cuts and be aware of blood-borne pathogens. Always use disposable gloves

whenbandaginganinjury.• ReportallinjuriestotheleagueandparentsiftheyarenotinaGendance.• Follow-upwithaphonecallthatday.• Keepgoodrecordsoninjuriestoplayers.• Neverallowplayerstomoveanyonewhoishurt.• NeverallowplayerstostartthepracBcewithoutthecoachbeingpresent.• Whenindoubtastotheseriousnessoftheinjury,call911.AlwayserronthesideofcauBon.• The LiGle League also has guidelines for blunt force chest injuries. Make sure you

understandwhatisrequiredofthecoachwhenaplayersustainsabluntforcechestinjury.• MakesuretheyareawareoftheinjurypotenBalwhenslidingintoabase.• BeawareofexposingplayerstothesunforextendedperiodsofBme.Keepplayers inthe

shadeasmuchaspossible.Coveringskinwithclothingandheadwearreducesexposureandappropriateeyewearcanhelpprotectplayerseyes.

• Remindparents that sunscreenwith a sun protecBon factor (SPF) of 15 or higher on hotsunnydaysisanessenBalitemtopackintheirkitbags.Italsoshouldbesweatandwater-resistantandreappliedeverytwotofourhours.

• Keep your players hydrated during and a:er all games and pracBces – especially on hotdays.RegularbreaksforplayerstotakeonfluidsareessenBal.

• Bandage all cuts and be aware of blood-borne pathogens. Always use disposable gloveswhenbandaginganinjury.

• Reportallsicknessorinjuriestotheleagueandparents(iftheyarenotinaGendance.)• Follow-upwithaphonecallthatday.• Neverallowplayerstomoveanyonewhoishurt.• NeverallowplayerstostartthepracBcewithoutthecoachbeingpresent.

• Whenindoubtastotheseriousnessoftheinjury,call911.AlwayserronthesideofcauBon.• The LiGle League has guidelines for blunt force chest injuries.Make sure you understand

whatisrequiredofthecoachwhenaplayersustainsabluntforcechestinjury.• Make sureplayers are awareof the injury potenBalwhen sliding into a base andhow to

minimizetheriskofinjury.• TrainingerrorscanoccurwhenyouenthusiasBcally takeontoomuchphysicalacBvity too

quickly. Going too fast, exercising for too long or simply doing toomuch of one type ofacBvitycanstrainyourmusclesandleadtoanoveruseinjury.

• Techniqueerrors. Improper technique canalso take its toll on yourbody. If youusepoorformasyoudoasetofstrengthtrainingexercises,swingagolfcluborthrowabaseball,forexample,youmayoverloadcertainmusclesandcauseanoveruseinjury.Commoncausesofimpact baseball injuries include being struck by a bat or ball, or colliding with anotherplayer.Overusebaseballinjuriesarethosethatoccurfromexcessiveuseofthewrist,arm,andshoulderjointsfrompitchingandbadngtheball.

• PlayersshouldnotplayorpracBceiftheyareexperiencingpersistentpainorlossofmoBon.

Facility conditions

Coaches should inspect theplayingfieldandmakesure it is safe forplay. - that therearenoholesorstumpsintheinfieldorouaieldandclearanygarbageordebris.• WalkthefieldpriortoeverypracBceandgame.Lookforproblemsareasandhazardssuch

asholes,damagedfences,loosebags,etc.• ReportallproblemsorpotenBalsafetyhazardswiththefieldtotheleaguecommissioneror

safetyofficerimmediately.• Ifindoubt,keepplayersawayfromanypotenBalhazardsunBltheproblemisrecBfied.• Ensureallplayersareawareofthefencesandgates.