2023 ASAP Safety Plan for Managers and Coaches

League ID #4053916

“Play Hard - Play Safe”

Table of Contents

1. Introduction ...........................................................................................................................3
2. Safety Mission ........................................................................................................................4
3. Important Phone Numbers and Contact Info ........................................................................ 4
4. Safety Code ............................................................................................................................ 6
5. Code of Conduct ....................................................................................................................11
6. Safety Procedures ..................................................................................................................12
a. Child Protection ...........................12
b. Communicable Disease.................................12
c. Lightning..........................12
d. Field Maintenance and Storage Shed..............................12
e. Batting Cage........................................13
f. Heat Stress...............................................13
g. Accident Reporting……………………………………………………..14
7. Expectations…………………………………………………………………………………………………….15
8. COVID PRECAUTIONS……………………………………………………………………………………20
ASAP Requirements Cross Reference
Requirement 1 – Safety Officer ...................................................................................................4
Requirement 2 – Plan Distribution ..............................................................................................3
Requirement 3– Emergency Plan ................................................................................................4
Requirement 4 – Volunteer Application ......................................................................................6
Requirement 5 – Training ............................................................................................................5
Requirement 6 – First-Aid Training ..............................................................................................5
Requirement 7 – Field Conditions ...............................................................................................5
Requirement 8 – Facility Survey .................................................................Submitted separately
Requirement 9 – Concession Stand Safety ..................................................................................6
Requirement 10 – Equipment Check ...........................................................................................6
Requirement 11 – Accident Reporting ........................................................................................11
Requirement 12 – First-Aid Kits ...................................................................................................5
Requirement 13 – Enforce Little League Rules ..........................................................................6, 8
Requirement 14 – Player/Coach Data ........................................................Submitted separately
Requirement 15 – Answer Survey Question ...............................................Submitted separately

1. 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”. This
manual is offered as a tool to place some important information at manager’s and coach’s fingertips.
Used in conjunction with the Little League Rule Book, Local Option Rules, the Play it Safe book, Protecting
Young Pitchers Arms guide, and training for managers, coaches and other volunteers, this manual is part of
the overall safety plan for our league.

Please read through this manual thoroughly and share it with your team. Safety is both an individual and team
effort. If there are any questions, contact the Aptos Little League Safety Officer - SEE list of IMPORTANT
NUMBERS for contact information on the next page.

DISTRIBUTION:
This manual is provided to:
Ø Each teammanager
Ø All Board member
Ø District #39 Safety Officer
Ø All parents via email distribution and by posting on website athttps://www.aptosll.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2691448
ØA copy is also available at each primary field location and/or concessions area.

2. Safety Mission

Aptos Little League strives to provide a fun and safe environment for the enjoyment of the game of baseball.
For our players, parents, volunteers, and spectators, Aptos Little League will pursue well maintained facilities
and safety conscious coaches and volunteers.

3. Important Numbers and Contact Info

Police / Fire / EMS 911
Sheriff (non-emergent) 831-471-1121
Aptos Fire- non emergent (8a-5p) 831-685-6690
Aptos Junior High 831-728-7834
Aptos Safety Officer – Sarah Newhouse* 530-318-3171
* Contact Sarah Newhouse to track/report injuries.

4. Safety Code

• Responsibility for safety procedures should be that of an adult member of the League.
• Arrangements should be made in advance of all games and practices for emergency medical services. Emergency phone numbers will be posted in the concession stand.
• Managers and coaches must have training in first aid (incl CPR/AED) and baseball fundamentals.
• Baseball Fundamental Training: February 26, 2023, 9:30 – 11:30 am
• Mandatory Coach Safety Training: February 2023
• First-aid supplies/kits will be available to each team and are located at each concession stand/score booth.
• No games or practices should be held when weather or field conditions are not good, particularly when lighting is inadequate.
• Play area should be inspected by coaches frequently for holes, damage, rocks, glass, etc.
• If issues are noted on a playing field, please inform the Aptos Facilities Director.
• 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 each pitch.
• During warm-up drills players should be spaced so that no one is endangered by wild throws or missed catches. 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.)
• Equipment should be inspected regularly for the condition of the equipment, as well as for proper fit. Broken equipment must be replaced.
• Batters must wear Little League approved helmets during batting practice and games.
• Catchers 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.
• The Catcher must wear catcher’s helmet and mask with a throat guard in warming up pitchers. This applies between innings and in the bullpen during a game and during practices.
• Adult Coaches may warm up pitchers before or during a game during regular season only. (Rule 3.09).
• Managers should encourage all male players to wear protective cups and supporters for practices and games.
• Except when runner is returning to a base, headfirst slides are not permitted.
• During sliding practice, bases should not be strapped down or anchored.
• During games, breakaway “safety bases” shall be used, if available.
• At no time should “horse play” be permitted on the playing field.
• Coaches/umpires should walk fields before use to ensure fields are safe and playable. Any unsafe conditions should be corrected or, if immediately uncorrectable, reported to the League Safety Officer.
• Parents of players who wear glasses should be encouraged to provide “safety glasses”.
• Players must not wear watches, rings, pins or metallic items during games and practices.
• On-deck batters are not permitted.
• Concession stand coordinators will receive training in proper food handling, and concession stand safety. Safety procedures (See Appendix 2) will be posted.
• All volunteers must fill out a volunteer application form and consent to a mandatory background check. https://www.aptosll.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2696100
• Our League is utilizing JDP Background Screening for all background checks. Instead of completing the application form, please contact the League President and provide your full name and email address. A link will then be provided for you to enter your information directly into the JDP System for processing.
• Anyone that refuses a background check is ineligible to be a volunteer.
• The safety officer will perform an annual safety inspection of the Aptos Little League facilities. Deficiencies shall be communicated to the league president and resolved appropriately. The Annual Little League Facility Survey will be submitted to Little League International with the submission of this annual safety plan and the safety plan registration form. League registration data and/or roster data and coach/manager data will be uploaded to the Little League Data Center upon closing of registration.

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, swelling, 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. If injured person unconscious, call 911 immediately and do not move injured person
..... FEEL gently and carefully the injured area for signs of swelling.
• Make arrangements to have a cell 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.
Do not Hesitate to report any present or potential safety hazard to the Safety Officer, immediately.

5. Code of Conduct

• Speed Limit 5 mph in parking lots while attending any Little League function.
• Watch for small children moving in between and around parked cars.
• No alcohol allowed in any parking lot, field, or common areas within a NASA Area Little League complex.
• No Playing in parking lots at any time.
• No Playing on and around lawn equipment.
• Use cross- walks when crossing roadways. Always be alert for traffic.
• No profanity.
• No swinging bats or throwing baseballs at any time outside the designated areas at the Aptos Little League complex. Players not currently batting in a properly designated areas should not have bats in-hand; bats should be put away or laying on the ground until it is such player’s time to bat.
• No throwing balls against dugouts or against fences and backstops.
• No throwing rocks.
• No horseplay in walkways at any time.
• No climbing fences.
• Only one player on the field with a bat (Age 4 - 12).
• Be alert of area around you when swinging bat.
• Observe all posted signs. Players and spectators should be alert at all times for foul balls and errant throws.
• During game, players must always remain in the dugout area in an orderly fashion.
• After each game, each team must clean up trash in dugout.
• All gates to the field must always remain closed. After players have entered or left the playing field, gates should be closed and secured.
• No children under the age of 15 are to be permitted in the Concession Stand unless granted permission by the adult in charge.
Failure to comply with the above may result in expulsion from the Aptos Little League field or complex.

6. Safety Procedures

CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURE

1. All volunteers having repeated access to the children of the league must complete a Little League Volunteer Application form and will be checked for sexual offenses against children. This includes all board members, managers, coaches, and team parents.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PROCEDURES

1. Bleeding must be stopped, the open wound covered, and the uniform changed if there is blood on it before the athlete may continue.
2. Routinely use gloves to prevent mucous membrane exposure when contact with blood or other body fluids is anticipated (provided in first-aid kit).
3. Immediately wash hands and other skin surface if contaminated with blood.
4. Clean all blood contaminated surfaces and equipment.
5. Managers, coaches, and volunteers with open wounds should refrain from all direct contact until the condition is resolved.
6. Follow accepted guidelines in the immediate control of bleeding and disposal when handling bloody dressings, mouth guards and other articles containing body fluids.

LIGHTNING / STORMS

At Practices....
1. Be aware of weather reports before heading to your practice field.
2. At the first sign of approaching weather or sound of thunder, stop practice immediately and get everyone into cars or inside a walled building. DO NOT congregate under trees or near metal fences/backstops.
3. DO NOT wait for the first sight of lightning. The first one could be the one that hits you!
4. Do not resume practice until the weather has safely passed. Managers are responsible for player safety at practices...DO NOT RISK SAFETY!

FIELD MAINTENANCE and STORAGE SHED PROCEDURES

1. All individuals using the equipment sheds (i.e., Managers, coaches, Umpires, etc.) are aware of their responsibilities for the orderly and safe storage of rakes, shovels, bases, etc.
2. 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.
3. All chemicals or organic materials stored in Aptos Little League sheds shall be properly marked and labeled as to its contents.
4. 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.
5. Any witnessed “loose” chemicals or organic materials within these sheds should be cleaned up and disposed of as soon possible to prevent accidental poisoning.
6. No one under the age of 18 is allowed to operate any power or electrical equipment or handle any chemicals.
7. When using equipment such as weed whackers, proper eye protection should be used.

BATTING CAGE PROCEDURES

1. A maximum of two children are allowed in the batting cage at a time... a batter with proper batting helmet, and catcher in full gear, if desired.
2. The pitching machine must be set up, put away and operated by an adult only.
3. No children are allowed to stay behind the screen with the adult feeding the machine.
4. The pitching machine shall not be operated during rain. It must be switched off and at least covered or put away.
5. No players should be swinging a bat outside the cages unless in a designated caged, warm-up area.
6. Throwing balls in the area around the cages is not allowed.

HEAT STRESS AWARENESS

Make sure to allow practice breaks that provide fluid consumption and shade from the sun.

Be aware of the following- Signs and Symptoms:
• Mild – sweating, irritability, heat cramps
• Moderate (Heat Exhaustion) – excessive sweating, weakness, dizziness, cold skin, pale/clammy
• Severe (Heat Stroke) – lack of sweat (hot dry skin), headache, nausea, confused/dizzy, rapid pulse

Remember to get help immediately if moderate or severe cases are suspected.

ACCIDENT REPORTING PROCEDURE

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 Officer, appropriate Player Agent, and league President. This includes even passive treatments such as the evaluation and diagnosis of the extent of the injury or periods of rest.

When to report - All such incidents described above must be reported to the Safety Officer, appropriate Player
Agent, and the league President within 48 hours of the incident. (See page 4 for contact info).

How to make the report - Reporting incidents can come in a variety of forms. It is recommended to use Appendix 1,
Incident/Injury Report. Most typically, they are telephone conversations.
At a minimum, the following information
must be provided:
• The name and phone number of the individual involved.
• 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 person reporting the incident.

Safety Officer’s Responsibilities - Within 48 hours of receiving the incident report, the Safety Officer will contact
the injured party or the party’s parents and (1) verify the information received; (2) obtain any other information
deemed necessary; (3) check on the status of the injured party; and (4) 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
Aptos Little League’s insurance coverage’s and the provisions for submitting any claims.

If the extent of the injuries are more than minor in nature, the Safety Officer shall periodically call the injured party to
(1) check on the status of any injuries, and (2) 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.

If any league office reporting is required, the Safety Officer shall be responsible to ensure process is completed in a
timely manner.

7. Expectations

WHAT, AS A MANAGER, DO I EXPECT FROM MY PLAYERS?

To be on time for all practices and games.
To always do their best whether in the field or on the bench.
To be cooperative at all times and share team duties.
To respect not only others, but themselves as well.
To be positive with teammates at all times.
To try not to become upset at their own mistakes or those of others ... we will all make our share this
year and we must support one another.
To 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?

To be on time for all practices and games.
To be as fair as possible in giving playing time to all players.
To do my best to teach the fundamentals of the game.
To be positive and respect each child as an individual.
To set reasonable expectations for each child and for the season.
To teach the players the value of winning and losing.
To be open to ideas, suggestions or help.
To 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?

To come out and enjoy the game. Cheer to make all players feel important.
To allow me to coach and run the team.
To 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!
Little League Parent: http://www.aptosll.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2653373

8. COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS

• If you test positive for COVID-19, it is recommended you stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home. Where a mask when around others.
• Zero equipment sharing beyond baseballs, athletes cannot share gloves, bats, helmets, etc.
• All individuals who are exposed to someone with SARS-CoV-2 should follow the current CDC recommendations for a known exposure.
• Any volunteer, coach, or athlete that is sick MUST stay home.

*Please understand that these rules are constantly changing, and that Aptos little League will continue to monitor and change the rules according to CDC, County, and State Guidelines.