AGAWAM LITTLE LEAGUE

• Safety is everyone’s responsibility. The League aggressively promotes a safe environment for all concerned through a variety of methods. Each manager, coach and assistant coach must attend a mandatory educational coaches clinic prior to the regular season and is continually monitored by League Board Members throughout the season and post season. Basic drills, practice expectations, coaches responsibilities, safety awareness, safety code, injury do’s and don’ts, personal protection, emergency phone numbers, code of conduct and league expectations are all covered.

Safety Officer 2009

•The Agawam Little League Board of Directors shall appoint one of its members as Safety Officer who will file with Little League International. The Safety Officer will coordinate and oversee safety activities within the league, as well as to conduct relevant training programs for the league players, managers, coaches, umpires and other applicable league volunteers and officials. The Safety Officer for the 2009 season is Gordie Duffus.

Safety Code

•This document will be provided to every manager of every team in every division of Agawam Little League (“ALL”) at the mandatory coaches clinic on April 5, 2009 at 6:30PM held at Extra Innings indoor baseball facility in Agawam, MA. Every team must be represented and all coaches will receive there coaches badges which means they have had there back ground check completed. ( one representative from each team must be in attendance, sign in sheet will be used)

•It is the policy of ALL to provide an environment in which the risk of injury is reduced to the lowest possible level by the application of our published safely code. Behavior in violation of the safety code will be treated as misconduct and may remit in the application of appropriate corrective action up to and including dismissal. The 2009 Safety Officer for ALL is Gordie Duffus.

•Dedicated to injury prevention

•Responsibility for safety should be that of an adult member of Agawam Little League.

•First aid kits will be available to all teams at the concession stand and other designated locations.

•No games or practices should be held when weather or field conditions are not good, especially in when visibility is inadequate.

•Playing surfaces should be inspected regularly for hazards; i.e., glass, rocks, etc

•Only players, managers, coaches, and umpires are allowed on the field or in the dugout during games and practices.

•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 manager or coaches.

•Procedures should be established for the retrieval of foul balls batted out of the playing area.

•During practices and games, all players should be alert and watching the batter on each pitch.

•During warm up drills, all players should be spaced so that no one is endangered by wild throws or missed catches.

•No one other than the current batter should have a bat in their hands, unless they are participating in another drill with a coach. In Games only the batter is allowed to have a bat, NO ON DECK SWINGING.

•Equipment should be regularly inspected for the condition of it as well as proper fit.

•Batters MUST wear Little League approved protective helmets during games and practices.

•Catchers must wear catcher’s helmet, mask, throat guard, shin guards, chest protector, and PROTECTIVE CUP at all times while acting as the Catcher.

•It is recommended that all players wear protective cups for practices and games.

•Except when returning to a base, headfirst slides are not permitted.

•A player must slide into a base, no collisions are allowed.

•At no time will “horse play” be allowed on the playing field.

•Players with glasses are recommended to wear “safety glasses”.

•No jewelry of any type is allowed during practice and games. The only exception is a “medic alert” bracelet. In this case it must be taped over with a red “X” on the tape.

•Never leave any players unattended at practices or games.

First Aid Training

•Agawam Little League will provide First Aid and CPR training at the mandatory coaches clinic at Extra Innings in Agawam, MA. On April 5, 2009 @ 6:30 PM. At least one representative from each team must be present for the training and I sign in sheet will be used.

First Aid Kits

•There are complete first aid kits located in the Concession stand at School Street. All equipment boxes are equipped with a first aid kit and ice packs. Managers and coaches are requested to use standard precautions when attending to an injury. Managers and coaches are instructed to call for immediate assistance from a trained individual as a first responder or call 911 to request the Emergency Medical Service to treat the injury. All volunteers must identify themselves as a trained professional to treat an injury, if there is no one trained to treat for the injury the EMS system will be notified.

Injury’s Do’s

•Reassure and aid children who are injured.

•Provide, or assist in attaining medical attention for those who require it.

•Know the location of all First aid kits.

•Look for signs of injury (blood, black and blue, deformity, etc.).

•Listen to the injured to describe what happened and what hurts if conscious.

•If unconscious call EMS, even if regain consciousness quickly. Any one that is knocked unconscious NEEDS to see a doctor immediately.

•Know your limitations. WHEN IN DOUBT, CALL EMS!

•Know any pre-existing medical conditions of your players ahead of time.

Injury’s Don’ts

•Administer any medications.

•Provide any food or drink (other than water).

•Hesitate in giving aid when needed.

•Be afraid to ask for help if you are not sure of proper procedures (i.e., CPR, etc.).

•DO NOT MOVE UNCONSCIOUS ATHLETES. They could have a neck injury.

•Don’t hesitate to report and present any unsafe or potential hazards to the safety coordinator.

Injury Personal Protection

•Bleeding must be stopped, the open wound covered and the uniform changed if there is blood on it before the athlete may continue.

•Use gloves provided in first aid kits when contact with blood and/or other body fluid is anticipated to prevent disease transmission.

•Immediately wash hands and other skin surfaces with soap and water if contaminated with blood.

•Clean all blood contaminated surfaces and equipment with a 1 to 10-bleach/water mixture.

•Managers, coaches, volunteers, and athletes with open wounds should refrain from all contact until the condition has resolved.

•Follow acceptable guidelines in the immediate control of bleeding and disposal when handling blood soaked materials or articles.

Accident Reporting

•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 Safety Coordinator.

•When to report – All such incidents described above must be reported to the Safety Officer within 48 hours of the incident. The Safety Officer for Agawam Little League is Gordie Duffus and he can be reached at (H)413-786-6775 or (C)413-219-4403. In the event he is not available Dave DeMatteo the President can be reached at (H) 413-786-3982 or (C) 413-374-0975

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

•Name and phone number of the individual involved.

•Date, time, and location of incident.

•As detailed a description of the incident as possible.

•Preliminary estimation of the extent of injury.

•Name and phone number of person reporting the incident.

•Safety Coordinator’s responsibilities – Within 48 hours of receiving the report, the Safety Coordinator will contact the injured party to verify the information received, obtain any other information deemed necessary, and check on the status of the injured party.

Safe Playing Areas

•Managers, coaches, and umpires should routinely check playing area for:

•1. Holes, damage, rough or uneven spots, slippery areas, and long grass

•2. Glass, rocks, foreign objects

•3. Damage to screens or fences, including holes, sharp edges, or loose edges

•4. Unsafe conditions around backstop, pitcher’s mound, or warning track

•5. Proper attire by the catcher at all times, including in the bull pens and in between innings

Safe Equipment

•All equipment shall be inspected before each use. Regular safety inspection of equipment is essential. Managers, coaches, and umpires should:

•1. Be sure all equipment is LL approved

•2. Inspect all bats, helmets, and other equipment on a regular basis. 3. Dispose of unsafe equipment properly.

•NOTIFY SAFETY OFFICER, EQUIPMENT MANAGER, OR ANY OTHER BOARD MEMBER OF NEED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR HAZARDOUS FIELD CONDITIONS OR EQUIPMENT

•Agawam little League Board of Directors has appointed Steve DePalma as Equipment Manager. Any coach needing to replace unsafe equipment should communicate the need of replacement equipment through their league coordinator.

Weather Conditions

•Before the Storm

•1. Check the weather forecast before leaving for a game or practice.

•2. Watch for signs of an approaching storm.

•3. Postpone outdoor activities if storms are imminent

•Approaching Thunderstorm

•1. Take caution when you hear thunder. if you hear thunder, you are close enough to get struck by lightening.

•During a game, the umpire will clear the field in the event of an approaching storm.

•2. Abide by Agawam LL’s Lightning Safety Policy

Lightening Guidelines

•All participants in Agawam LL must observe the 30-second flash to bang method of lightning safety. This method measures the interval between the time lightning is seen to hearing the thunderclap associated with it. Each five-second count represents one mile between the lightning and the person counting. When the Flash to Bang interval reaches 30 seconds, (6 miles), it is time to evacuate to a safe shelter, (see 10), A dugout IS NOT A SAFE SHELTER!

•There will be an air horn in the concession stand at the School St complex that will be sounded. All other sites have no notification.

•Stay away from tall or individual trees, lone objects, metal objects (i.e. fences, metal bleachers), standing pools of water, and open fields. Avoid being the tallest object in a field!

•If you feel your hair stand on end, your skin tingle, or hear crackling noises, immediately crouch down with only your feet touching the ground. Keeping your feet close together, wrap your arms around your knees and lower your head to minimize your body’s surface area and covers your ears. DO NOT LIE FLAT! Lightning strike victims do not carry an electrical charge. CPR is safe and if the victim is not breathing and has no pulse, it is imperative to begin immediately. Pay more attention to the threat of lightning than to rain. It does not have to be raining for lightning to strike. It may strike as far as ten miles away from the rain shaft.

•The situation of the game (i.e. bottom of the 7th, playoff game, etc) will have ABSOLUTELY no bearing on the decision or the need to evacuate! The league coordinators will decide how to resolve the situation should the game be called.

•Allow a minimum of 30 minutes to pass after the last lightning flash and bang of thunder before resuming activity.

•Any individual who feels that they are in danger from lightning have the right to leave the field or event site to seek safe shelter.

•SAFE SHELTER is defined as: Any building normally occupied or frequently used by people, i.e. a building with plumbing and or electrical wiring that acts to ground the structure. In the absence of a safe building, a vehicle with a hard metal roof can provide a measure of safety.

•What to do if someone is struck by lightning?

•1. The person who has been struck will carry no electrical charge; therefore, they are safe to touch.

•2. Call 9-1-1 as soon as possible for help.

•3. Check for burns to the body.

•4. Give first aid as needed.

•5. If breathing and/or heartbeat have stopped, perform CPR until EMS arrives.

•6. Contact the league Safety Officer and the league President ASAP.

A.L.L. Code of Conduct

•Speed limit of 5 mph in parking lots while attending any Agawam Little League function. Watch for small children around parked cars.

•No alcohol allowed in any parking lot, field, or any common areas within the Agawam Little League Complex.

•No playing in parking lots at any time.

•No playing on or around lawn equipment.

•No profanity allowed at all please.

•No swinging bats or throwing balls at any time within the walkways or common areas.

•No throwing balls against dugouts or against backstop.

•No rock throwing.

•No horseplay.

•No climbing of fences.

•Only a player on the field and at bat, may swing a bat.

•Observe all posted signs. Players and spectators should be alert at all times for foul balls and errant throws.

•During games, players must remain in the dugout area in an orderly fashion at all times.

•After each game and practice, each team must clean up trash.

•Parents are not allowed on the playing field, except in the event of their child’s injury.

•Failure to comply with the above may result in the expulsion from the Agawam Little League field or complex.

Managers Checklist

•1. Keep loose equipment stored properly.

•2. Have all players remove all personal jewelry.

•3. Parents should be encouraged to provide safety glasses for players who wear glasses.

•4. Repair or replace defective equipment.

•Managers and coaches must:

•1. Know where the first aid kits are located at all practices and games.

•2. Have access to a telephone in case of emergencies (cell phones)

•3. Know where the closest emergency shelter is in case of severe weather.

•4. Ensure warm-up procedures have been completed by all players

•5. Stress the importance of paying attention, no “horse playing allowed”.

•6. Instruct the players on proper fundamentals of the game to

•ensure safe participation.

•7. Each practice should have at least 2 coaches in case of an emergency.

Coaches

•The Little League Parent/Volunteer Pledge

•I will teach all children to play fair and to do their best

•I will positively support all managers, coaches and players

•I will respect the decisions of umpires

•I will praise a good effort despite the outcome of the game

•Mandatory coaches clinic held at Extra Innings April 5, 2009 at 6:30PM. At least one representative from each team must attend. There will be a sign in sheet.

Storage Shed

•The following applies to all the storage sheds and lock boxes provided by Agawam LL and applies to anyone who has been issued a key to use these.

•All individuals with keys to the sheds and lock boxes should be aware of their responsibilities for the orderly and safe storage of all equipment within.

•Before you use any machine or piece of equipment please be aware of how to properly use.

•All chemicals or organic material stored shall be properly marked and labeled as to its content.

•Any spilled chemicals or organic materials within sheds should be cleaned up and disposed of as quickly as possible to prevent accidental poisoning.

•Sheds and lock boxes are to be locked when you are done using them. Please make note if you are the last person on the field and they are open, please lock all storage areas.

Concession Stand Safety

•Before working or helping in the Agawam LL concession, please read the following safety tips on preparing and handling food.

•Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often

•Wash hands in soapy water before preparing foods and after using the bathroom or handling pets

•Wash cutting boards, utensils, and counter tops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item and before going on to the next one.

•Consider using paper towels to clean up kitchen surfaces. Or, if using cloth towels, wash them often in the hot cycle of the washing machine.

•Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate

•Separate raw meat from other foods.

•Store raw meat on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator so juices don’t drip onto other foods.

•Never place cooked foods on a plate, which previously held raw meat.

•Cook: Cook to proper temperatures

•Make sure that meat is cooked all the way through.

•Do not serve ground beef that is still pink on the inside.

•Chill: Refrigerate promptly

•Refrigerate or freeze perishables.

•Never defrost food on the counter. Use the refrigerator, cold water, or a microwave.

Facility Survey 2009

•Attached to Safety Plan.

•A copy will be maintained in the concession stand along with the copy of the Agawam Little League Safety Plan.