Prevention & Emergency Management of Little League

Octorara Area Little League

2019 Safety Program

PA District 23

Ron Deeter 2019 OALL Safety Officer

Octorara Area Little League

1 Safety Program

Saturday, March 2, 2018

Presented By

Phillip Capotrio – President & Ron Deeter – Safety Manager

Cell 610-529-0713

2 Table of Contents Page 3 Table of Contents Page 4 Program Outline Page 5 League Phone Numbers Page 6 Situation Lab Page 7 S.T.E.P.S. Page 9 Policy Statement Page 10 Emergency Procedures Page 12 The P.R.I.C.E. is right Page 13 Universal Precautions Page 14 Facilities and Equiptment Page 15 Weather Page 16 Warm-Up/Stretching Procedures Page 18 Miscelaneous Rules Page 19 Code of Conduct Page 20 Manager Checklist Page 24 First Aid Responsibilities Page 25 Emergency Information Card Page 26 Tips for the Field Page 34 Types of Sports Injuries Page 39 First Aid for Sports Injuries Page 46 Heat Illness (Stroke vs Exhaustion) Page 49 Home Care Instructions Page 52 First Aid for the Eye Page 53 First Aid for Teeth Page 54 Suggest Practice Skills/Enhancements Page 56 Game Reschedule Process Page 57 Instructional Guides for Players Page 72 Lightning Safety Page 75 Claim Form Instruction Page 79 Concession Guidelines

Addendum

Little League Facility Safety Survey Octorara Little League Safety Plan Conflict Resolution Code of Conduct

Prevention & Emergency Management of Little League Baseball Injuries

MARCH 2, 2018 Program Outline

Time Topic 8:00-8:10 Welcome Introduction

8:10-8:15 Overview/Information

8:15-8:25 Sports Liability/Lab

8:25-8:40 Safety is everyone’s responsibility Coaching Safety List

8:40-8:55 Evaluation of Sports Injuries Role Play Lab

8:55-9:00 Break

9:00-9:10 PRICE: First Aid for Sports Injuries

9:10-930 Types of Sports Injuries and Managements Techniques

9:30-9:45 Head & Neck Injuries

9:45-9:55 Heat Illness

9:55-10:00 Questions & Answers *Distribution of Cards

10:00-11:00 Coaches Clinic

2018 Season Octorara Area Little League Phone Numbers

Board Positions 2019 Board Members Email Phone President Phil Capotrio [email protected] 610-529-0713 Vice President Jason Wiley [email protected] 484-798-7926 Player Agent JR Scott [email protected] 484-645-2735 Treasurer Jenn Foster [email protected] 610-908-7042 Safety Ron Deeter [email protected] 570-205-0503 Sponsorship Nicole Naggy [email protected] 724-787-8408 Field Manager Jon Palmos [email protected] 717-756-5534 Equiptment Manager Denim Kurtzhal [email protected] 610-563-6323 Information Officer N/A Events Jackie Stine [email protected] 484-645-9148 Concessions April Pidgeon [email protected] 610-656-4583 Umpire In Chief Denim Kurtzhal [email protected] 610-563-6323

Softball Liaison Todd Lease

Ambulance/Fire/Police (Emergency) 911 Christiana Police (Non-Emergency) 610-593-2234

Location: Christiana Park, Bridge Street, Christiana PA 17509 Highland Township Park, Five Points Rd, Coatesville, PA 19320 3095 Limestone Rd, Cochranville, Pa 19330

SITUATION LAB SPORTS LIABILITY

During a practice one of your players becomes upset and leaves the field. You leave the field briefly to help him, and in your absence another player severely twists his ankle while “playing around” on the bleachers. Can you be held liable for this player’s injury? Why or Why not?

______

S.T.E.P.S. Sports Trauma Emergency Procedures Safety Manual 2019

Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility

Little League Baseball has an outstanding safety record. Each season fewer than 2 out of 100 players have accidents requiring medical attention. This record has been possible because safety is a priority throughout the entire Little League organization.

Make Safety a priority. Remember, you are responsible for your players’ safety.

General Guidelines

1. Properly plan the activity  Teach players skills in a progression so that they are adequately prepared to handle more difficult skills.  Teach basic fundamentals first.  Progress to more advanced skills when they are ready

2. Provide proper instruction  Keep up-to-date on better and safer ways to performing skills  Teach players the rules, correct skills, and strategies

3. Provide a safe physical environment  Periodically inspect playing fields for uneven spots, holes, rocks, glass, etc. Check fences for holes and sharp edges.  Remove all potential hazards

4. Provide proper equipment  Be sure players are using good quality equipment  Inspect equipment regularly  Discard unsafe equipment. Notify Equipment Director and Safety Officer

5. Supervise the activity closely  Do not allow athletes to practice difficult or potentially dangerous skills without proper instruction and supervision. *Forbid Horseplay  Do not allow athletes to use the facility unsupervised

6. Evaluate athlete for injury or incapacity  If an athlete is not able to compete without pain or loss of function, i.e., inability to walk, run, jump, throw, etc. immediately remove them from the activity

7. Provide appropriate emergency assistance  Apply basic first aid  Know your limitations. Use only those skills that you have been trained to administer

Policy Statement

The purpose of this manual is to communicate the safety policies of the Octorara Area Little League. The primary focus of our league is to insure the physical, emotional, and social development of our players. In order to achieve this goal, safety must be our number one priority. The most important job that you have as a coach is to provide for your player’ safety. A child’s parents are entrusting the care of their son/daughter to you. During the several hours that it takes to practice or play a game the safety of that child is completely your responsibility. As a Little League coach, you are protected by the liability insurance coverage that the league provides for you. However, you are not protected against gross negligence. It is up to you to act responsibly and provide a good, safe program for your player. Good planning and organization are the essential keys to help ensure the safety of your players. It is often said that “people don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan.” Here are some suggestions to help you plan a safe program for your players: Make sure that you have your practices and game days well planned. Know what drills you will be doing ahead of time. Take time to evaluate each of them to be sure they will accomplish what you want and that they are safe. Be sure that your players are ready to do the skills you have planned. Teach them skills in progression so that they will be prepared to handle more difficult skills. Know where each of you players are at every minute. It’s your responsibility to supervise them from the time they arrive at a practice or game until mom or dad picks them up. Keep up to date on better and safer ways to performing skills. Be sure to look over the “coaching tips” section of this manual. Attend the coach’s clinics provided by the league. The clinic this year is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Octorara High School. Our league has coaching videotapes and books that you can look at. Talk to other coaches in our league and other leagues and share ideas with them. Talk to an experienced in the league and make arrangements to observe his/her practice. Remember, the goal of this league is to provide a successful and enjoyable experience for every player. The only way that this can happen is if all of our coaches are well prepared and trained. It is our league policy that every coach must complete the Emergency Management Training Course. The course will be held on March 2, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Dutchway. Additionally, we recommend that coaches repeat this course every 3 years for review purposes and because information is updated frequently. We also try to set up CPR training for our coaching staff every few years.

Emergency Procedures

Keep everyone informed. Provide parents and players with a list of team rules/policies. It is a good idea to have the player and parent review and sign indicated that they have read and understand them. In this way everyone will know what is expected of them and you will be less likely to have situations occur that may result in injury.

Be prepared for an emergency. Be sure to have a well-stocked first aid kit, ice and water at all practices and games. A first aid kit should be provided with your equipment. If not, tell your Equipment Manager or Safety Officer and they will get one for you. Check and restock your first aid kit regularly. Extra first aid supplies and chemical cold packs are available in the snack shop at the Christiana Field. There are also additional first aid supplies there such as crutches, slings and knee immobilizers that can be signed out to players if needed.

Be certain that you have a completed and signed copy of each players emergency form with you at all times.

You should have a cell phone with you at all practices and games.

In an emergency, if at all possible, stay with the injured athlete. Follow the instructions on the player’s emergency form. Ask an assistant coach or parent to make the phone call.

Know your limitations. Unless you have the training, limit yourself to basic first aid.

Do not move an injured player unless you are confident it is safe to do so. Never attempt to move an unconscious player.

If it is necessary to contact the ambulance, call 911, and provide the following information: 1. Players name and age 2. Type of emergency 3. Your location 4. Vital signs (if you are trained to do this) 5. First aid that has been given 6. Ask them for an estimated time of arrival 7. You should hang up last so that you are sure that you have given all the information that they have requested. Please be certain to have at least 2 adults at every practice. This will help ensure better supervision and instruction. Also, in the event of an emergency, one adult can place the phone call, while the other remains with the injured child and team.

Know where you are by street name and number at all practices and games. It is better to provide too many directions to emergency personnel than not enough.

Report all injuries requiring medical treatment to the League Safety Officer within 8 hours. Be sure to complete the “Little League Baseball Accident Notification Form”. Put the completed form in the folder entitled “Completed Injury Report Forms” which is located in the bin on the back of the door of the lower shed at the Christiana Field. Your League Safety Officer has provided two of these forms to you in this manual. There are also blank copies of these forms and instructions available in the bin on the door of the lower shed.

Be sure that you have a written note from the doctor before you permit an injured player to return to play. Evaluate the player’s ability to run and throw before allowing him to play. Do not permit any player who is not able to perform i.e., limping, showing obvious pain etc. to play. If a player is wearing a cast (support for broken bone) they are not allowed to play.

When Treating a Sports Injury Remember: The P.R.I.C.E. is right

P. - Protection: When handling a sports injury, protect the injured area from any stress or motion that could aggravate it and delay healing. This may mean using a sling or crutches initially and possibly a sports brace when the athlete returns to activity.

R. - Rest: This simply means avoiding any activity, which could be detrimental to healing. The athlete should do rehabilitation exercise and exercise to maintain their fitness level. Exercise is the most important treatment that there is. The injured area will heal stronger and more quickly this way.

I. - Ice: Ice should be applied to the injured area. A good way to do this is to place a wet towel against the skin and then apply the ice over it. If Ice is not available, use a chemical cold pack. Ice should be applied 20-30 minutes as often as possible. Use ice for a 1-day period for mild injuries, 2 days for more severe injuries and 3 days for the most severe injuries. If you have any doubts, use ice; Do Not apply Heat too early. It will only make the injured area bleed and swell more. Apply ice 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off then repeat.

C. - Compression: Wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage. Although ice is applied intermittently, compression can be used constantly. Applying compression to the injury will control swelling and reduce pain. If the injured area becomes numb or cold, be certain to loosen the wrap.

E. - Elevation / Early Exercise: When possible, elevate the injured area above the level of the heart. In this way the effects of gravity help to minimize swelling. Early exercise is important also. It is important to exercise in order to maintain strength, flexibility and coordination of the injured area. Exercises should be done gently so that they do not cause additional injury.

Universal Precautions

1. Use the examination gloves provided to you when treating all injuries or problems that involve bleeding or body fluids. 2. When bleeding occurs, apply direct pressure to control it, and cover the wound with a sterile gauze bandage and dressing. Clean all blood off of the players skin surface. 3. All blood must be cleaned off of the player’s uniform before he continues to play 4. Wash your hands and any other area that may have been exposed to blood 5. Any coach or volunteer with an open wound should refrain from direct contact with players until the condition has resolved 6. Dispose of all blood or fluid contaminated dressings and examination gloves in the red biohazard containers if possible (only available at Christiana Field Complex)

Facilities / Equipment

Only use playing fields designated on the practice schedule. If you would like to schedule a practice at another location you must contact the League President so that our liability insurance coverage can be extended to that facility.

Make sure that the field is safe for practice. Take a walk around the field before each practice. Check the field for holes, rocks, broken glass etc. Check the fence and backstop for holes and sharp edges. Take care of these hazards before you practice. If there are problems that can’t be corrected, practice in another area of the field and notify the League Safety Officer right away. The umpiring crew will be assigned the responsibility of checking the field prior to games.

Be sure that players are using good quality equipment. Check the equipment regularly. Repair equipment if it can be done and used safely. Remove any unsafe equipment from play and notify the Equipment Manager or Safety Officer.

Weather

It is our league policy that all coaches, players and spectators leave a field immediately when lightning is seen and take shelter in a building or car with the windows rolled up. A dugout is not considered safe shelter. You may resume practice or play when no lightning has been seen or thunder heard for at least 30 minutes.

Please use good judgment about play on a wet field. In wet conditions, it is very easy for a player to lose his/her grip on a bat or ball and have it strike someone. It is also easier for a player to slip and get injured.

Please use good judgment and suspend a practice when it is getting dark. This is particularly important in the early season when our daylight period is less.

Recommended Warm-Up / Stretching Procedure

This warm-up and stretching program is recommended before all practices and games. It should only take about 15 minutes to complete. Following this program will help your players prevent injury and perform better Warm up by jogging around the perimeter of the field enough times so that your players begin to sweat lightly. This is an indication that the body core temperature and deep muscle temperature have been raised. Obviously the warm-up times will vary depending on the outside temperature.

After completing the warm-up run, do arm circles. In a standing position, perform arm circles in a clockwise and then counterclockwise direction. Start the circles small, progressing to larger circles. Do 30 seconds in each direction.

Perform the stretching program presented below in the following manner: Stretch slowly and gently, find a point in the range of motion where a point of resistance is first felt.

Do Not bounce when you stretch. Hold this position for 30-60 seconds Repeat each exercise 2-3X

Stretching Exercises:

1. Front Shoulder Stretch - Grasping the elbow of your throwing arm, pull the arm up slowly and back behind you. Keep the elbow of the throwing arm bent at a 90 degree angle.

2. Back Shoulder Stretch - Grasping the elbow of your throwing arm, pull the arm slowly across the front of your body. Keep the elbow of the throwing arm bent at a 90 degree angle.

3. Hamstring Stretch - Extend one leg out in front of you with the knee slightly bent and lean forward slowly. Bend the other leg up so that it is out of your way. Keep the back slightly arched, repeat with other leg.

4. Quadriceps Stretch - Lying on your side, grab your ankle, pull your leg slightly backward at the hip and bend your knee, repeat with other leg.

5. Groin Stretch - Sitting with your legs spread apart, lean forward slowly toward the ground

6. Calf Stretch - Standing about 3 feet away from the fence, extend one leg backward. Keep the heel on the ground and lean your upper body slowly forward toward the fence.

Additional Stretches for Pitchers

Rotator Cuff Stretching

Posterior Stretch - Lay on the side of your pitching arm on the edge of a bench or bleachers. Bring the arm up on a position where it is straight out to the side and bed the elbow to 90 degrees. Reach across with your opposite hand and push the back of your throwing hand downward slowly.

Anterior Stretch - Lay on your back on the edge of a bench or bleacher. With your arm positioned in a throwing motion hold a 1 pound weight and let your arm slowly stretch backward.

Elbow Stretch - Extend your throwing arm with the palm up. Take your opposite hand and grasp your throwing hand. Push your throwing arm gently downward and outward.

Miscellaneous Rules

The Octorara Area Little League Board of Directors has adopted the following rules:

All players should wear proper fitted helmets with chin straps fastened (where equipped) at all times during practice and games while batting and running the bases.

Catchers must wear full equipment at all times when catching. This includes warming up a pitcher and practices. Full equipment includes facemask with dangling throat protector, helmet, chest protector, shin guards and hard athletic cup.

Coaches and Managers may not warm up the pitcher. This includes practices even if you are standing by the backstop as an informal catcher during batting practice.

A protective cup must be worn by all male players. This is a Little League rule for catchers and we feel it is just as important for infielders. Since players change positions frequently, we feel that everyone should be protected. A pelvic protector is also recommended for female players.

No baseball pitcher below the Junior/Senior League should throw breaking balls. There is an abundance of medical evidence, which shows that significant damage can occur to the elbow of a growing child when this is done. When a breaking ball is introduced, we suggest beginning with a cut fastball and gradually progressing from there.

The use of a mouth guard is recommended for all players.

No horse play is allowed.

Octorara Area Little League - Code of Conduct

We expect appropriate behavior from all coaches, players and spectators. Abusive language, taunting or fighting will not be tolerated.

During a game all players must remain in the dugout and behave in an orderly manner at all times.

During a game, fans must remain in the stands and behave in an orderly manner at all times.

No alcohol is permitted in any parking lot, field or common area within the Octorara Area Little League facilities.

Tobacco use is not permitted by any player. Tobacco use is not permitted by coaches and spectators on any playing field or in the dugout area.

A speed limit of 5mph in roadways and parking lots will be observed while attending all Octorara Area Little League functions. Please be particularly careful to watch for small children playing in these areas.

Ball playing is permitted on Octorara Area Little League fields and designated warm-up areas only. Do not permit children to play ball around the bleacher areas, concession stand or parking lot areas.

No climbing on fences or trees is permitted.

After every game, each team is responsible for trash clean up in their dugout and around the bleachers.

No one under the age of 14 is permitted in the concession stands.

In the major division (age 12) and younger, only the player who is up at bat, may swing the bat. On deck batting is not permitted with this age group. In the Junior/Senior league (age 13 and older), players may warm-up by swinging the bat in the on deck circle. Please be alert for those around you when you are swinging the bat in the on deck area.

In the major division (age 12) and younger, no headfirst sliding is permitted. This is allowed in the Junior/Senior league (age 13 and older) to return to a base only.

All male players are required to wear a protective cup. Also, it is strongly recommended for female catchers and all infielders to wear a pelvic protector.

Use of a mouth guard is recommended for all players.

Individuals who violate these rules will be given a Verbal warning. If the behavior continues a penalty of 1 game suspension will be applied. A repeat offense may result in permanent suspension from all league activity.

The Checklist

The checklist on this page and the following page is proposed as an aid to Little League managers so they can personally evaluate themselves with respect to those attributes regarded as important to a youth leader. By the thoughtful use of this tool, the individual manager can get a rather clear picture of himself/herself as a coach and as a person. If the inspection indicates certain weaknesses, then concentrate upon improving them to the betterment of service to the children and the program.

Checklist for Little League Managers

Personal Attributes - The Manager’s Seldom or Usually Always (3) personality is an important factor in the Never (1) (2) success of Little League Baseball and Softball

Appearance - Do you...

1. Dress suitably

2. Groom properly

Disposition - Do you display...

1. Pleasantness

2. A sense of humor

3. Even Temper

4. Courtesy

5. Sympathy

6. Enthusiasm

Poise - Do you...

1. Self-control

2. Behave in an adult manner

Character - Are you...

1. Sincere

20 2. Truthful

3. An example of Little League Ideals

Leadership - Do you...

1. Accept responsibility

2. Have the ability to plan and organize

3. Have a good understanding of the emotional and psychological characteristics of pre-adolescents (9 thru 12 years of age)

4. Have good rapport with each player

5. Try to understand the personal needs and problems of players and adjust accordingly

6. Have discipline suited to the age level of the players

7. Discipline fairly and impartially

8. Temper discipline with good judgment and humor

Relations with Others - The nature of a manager’s work brings him into close contact with many people

With Parents - Do you...

1. Seek their cooperation and understanding in trying to achieve the goals of the Little League Program

2. - Show consideration for their opinions and feelings

3. Display friendliness and courtesy

Side B Checklist for Little League Managers

You can obtain an estimate of your rating by Seldom or Usually Always checking the most appropriate blank to the Never (1) (2) (3) right of the question then totaling up your score at the end of the checklist

With Colleagues - Are you...

1. Friendly

2. Cooperative

3. Courteous

4. Considerate with game officials

Do you...

1. Display courtesy

2. Respect their decisions and accept them gracefully

3. Avoid bickering and “umpire baiting”

Managerial Duties - The manager should have knowledge of the game of baseball or softball, of its fundamentals and its strategy

Coaching Procedures - Are....

1. Practice sessions well planned and conducted as coaching and learning situations

a. Practice sessions snappy; everyone busy

B. Players properly taught fundamental skills and game strategy through the use of various drills

C. Instructions given at the players’ level of understanding

22 2. Practice sessions ended before the players become bored or disinterested

3. Practice sessions spaced so they do not become a chore for players and managers alike

4. Adequate precautions taken to prevent accident or injury

a. Items of protective gear are used and are in good repair

B. Players kept from reaching extreme limits of physical and emotional fatigue

5. Players continually encouraged

Development of Desirable Habits in Players - Do you...

1. Encourage promptness

2. Encourage clean living and good health habits

3. Encourage responsibility and leadership

4. Encourage sportsmanship and fair play at all times

a. Teach good manners and courtesy

B. Congratulate opponents after each game

C. Accept defeat gracefully

D. Accept victory humbly

TOTAL

Excellent = 130 and over, Above Average = 120 to 129, Average = 90 to 119, Below Average = 80-89, Unsatisfactory = 79 and below You can obtain an estimate of your rating by checking the most appropriate blank to the right of the question / then totaling up your score at the end of the checklist. If your answer is “seldom or never”, “give yourself 1 point; “Usually” 2 points; and “always” 3 points.

Excellent is 130 and over, above average is 120 to 129, average is 90 to 119, below average is 80 to 89, and unsatisfactory is 79 and below.

23 (adapted from Little League’s Greatest Challenge, by Dr. Arthur A. Esslinger) First Aid Responsibilities

1. Keep everyone informed. Provide parents and players with a list of team rules/policies. 2. Have an emergency card similar to the one illustrated on the next page for each of your athletes. It will be useful when notifying parents and calling for emergency service. Always have these cards with you at all practices and games. 3. If you do not have a cellular phone, know the location of the nearest phone. Keep two quarters taped inside the first aid kit for phone calls as a precautionary measure. a. Christiana Complex - Usually a cell phone in the concession stand b. School District Fields - Inside maintenance building 4. Know where you are by street name and number at all practices and games. It is better to have too many directions than not enough. 5. Contact the player’s parents. Keep them calm and well informed. 6. Send responsible personnel to meet and direct the ambulance. 7. Have first aid supplies available at all practices and games, i.e. ice, First Aid Kit, and water 8. Be available to provide a complete report to the arriving EMD personnel. Then, remember, these individuals are professionals and should be allowed to take control of the situation. 9. Report all injuries requiring medical treatment to the League Safety Officer within 48 hours of the incident. 10. Obtain written documentation from a physician before allowing an injured athlete to return to play 11. Stop practices and games immediately if lightning is evident or darkness occurs.

Emergency Information Card (stored in SI Play App as well)

Name: ______

Family Physician: ______Phone: ______

Hospital: ______

Parent / Guardian: Mother ______

Father: ______

Address: ______

City, State, Zip: ______

Home Phone: ______

Cell Phone: ______

Alternate Phone: ______

Medical Problems (That would affect his/her ability to play) ______

______

Allergies: ______

Please complete and hand back to the coach

Tips for the Field:

Safe Ball Handling

1. Lack of ability when handling the ball is the most common way for a player to be injured. Misjudging the flight of a batted ball may be corrected by drilling with pop-flies that begin easy and made more difficult as a player’s judgment and skill improves. Everyone should eventually be able to handle balls that go overhead.

2. In addition to a player never losing sight of a ball from the time it leaves the bat, the player should keep the glove positioned and the body relaxed for a last split- second move.

3. An infielder can best be protected by an aggressive short hop fielding play by always keeping the “nose pointed at the ball: and the eyes glued to it. Also, if moving forward, the player is in a better position to make a throw.

4. It is safer for the player to knock a ball down and re-handle it then to let the ball determine the play.

Collisions

Collisions result in more injuries than is the case with most other types of accidents. They are usually caused by errors of judgment or lack of teamwork between fielders. It is important to establish zones of defense to avoid collisions between players. It is particularly important when players are chasing high fly balls. Once the zones are established, play situation drills should be held until these zones and patterns become familiar to the players. The responsible player should callout the intentions in a loud voice to warn others away. Here are some general rules to follow.

1. The fielder at third base should catch all balls that are reachable and are hit between third and the catcher.

2. The fielder at first base should catch all balls reachable that are hit between second and the catcher.

3. The shortstop should call all balls reachable that are hit behind third base. 4. The fielder at second base should catch all balls reachable that are hit behind first base.

26 5. The shortstop has the responsibility for fly balls hit in the center of the diamond and in the area of second base. Since the glove is on the left hand it is easier for the shortstop than the fielder at second to catch fly balls over second base.

6. The centerfielder has the right of way in the outfield and should catch all balls that are reachable. Another player should take the ball if it is seen that it is not reachable by the centerfielder.

7. Outfielders should have priority over infielders for fly balls hit between them.

8. Priorities are not so easy to establish on ground balls, but most managers expect their third base player to field all ground balls they can reach, cutting in front of the shortstop on slow hit grounders.

9. The Catcher is expected to field all topped and bunted balls that can be reached except when there is a force play or squeeze play at home plate.

Warning Track

In addition to collisions between players, occasionally a player chasing a fly ball will crash into the fence. These accidents also can be controlled by suitable drill work. In this case it is simply a matter of giving the outfielders an opportunity to practice getting the feel of the warning track under their feet. They must learn to judge their distance from the fence and the probably point where the ball will come down. It would be worse than futile to not only miss catching the ball by a wide margin but also be injured by a collision with the fence.

Retrieving Balls

Persons who have been specifically assigned to that duty should retrieve balls that go out of the park. Such persons should be youngsters who can be relied on not to endanger themselves by climbing fences or getting into a scramble for possession of a ball.

Keep Grounds Clear

Another duty that should be given in turn to alert substitute players is the picking up of bats and proper placement in the rack. The clearing up of other loose playing equipment should be included in this assignment.

27 Sliding Safety

As is the case with other baseball fundamentals, a correct slide is also a safe one. It is well, too, to guard against the accident of a collision and the possibility of a player being struck by a thrown ball as that player “hits the dirt”. It goes without saying that steel spikes are not being worn. The following can make learning period safer:

1. Long grass has been found to be better than a sand or sawdust pit to teach sliding. You can also use a large piece of cardboard.

2. The base must not be anchored down.

3. Sliding pads are recommended.

4. The player should make approaches at half speed and keep constantly in mind that hand and feet should be in the air. Once committed to slide, the player must not change strategy. Last minute hesitation causes most sliding injuries.

5. Tennis shoes are suggested for beginning sliding and tagging practice to avoid injury to the defensive player.

6. If the ground along the baselines becomes soft on a rainy day, such weather offers an excellent opportunity to have sliding drills.

7. It should be kept in mind that headfirst sliding is not recommended except when returning to a base.

28 Batter Safety

A batter’s greatest accident exposure is from the unsafe acts of others, namely wild pitches, which account for a major portion of all accidents. Again, the best defense is an alert, confident concentration on the ball. This type of injury is more prevalent in Major than Minor League play. Since the danger is increased as pitchers learn to throw with greater force and as more games are played, it is doubly important to take whatever counter-measure necessary to offset this exposure.

1. A well-fitted, approved helmet is the first requirement.

2. The development of the novice batter’s ability to take evasive action can be improved by getting the player to relax and concentrate on the ball from the time the pitcher starts delivery until it lands in the catcher’s mitt. Players with slow reflexes can also be helped by stimulated batting and ducking practice with a tennis ball.

3. The unsportsmanlike practice of crowding the plate or jumping around to rattle the pitcher should not be tolerated. This could endanger the batter if it causes the pitcher to lose control. Umpires should stop such actions.

4. Painful finger and hand injuries can be reduced by making sure the batter holds the bat correctly when bunting. Youngsters have a tendency to lean too far over the plate and not keep the ball well out toward the end of the bat. This should be corrected.

5. When the batter becomes a base runner, that player should be taught to run outside the foul lines when going from home plate to first and from third to home, to reduce the chance of being hit by a thrown ball.

29 Safe Handling of Bats

A review of the batter’s potential for causing injuries to others points up the following:

1. The easiest prevented accident is the too frequent fault of beginners throwing the bat while running to first base. This unthinking act may be corrected through individual instruction to drop the bat safely by:

○ Having the player hand the bat to the coach will serve as a reminder before each ball is pitched.

○ Having the player drop the bat in a marked-off circle near where running starts.

○ Counting the player “out” in practice whenever the player fails to drop the bat correctly.

○ Providing bats with grips that are not slippery.

2. Coaches and umpires should be on the alert to correct batters that have a tendency to step into the catcher as they swing.

30 A Dangerous Weapon

We use this heading to note the seriousness of an accident exposure that may sound impossible but one that has actually caused some very serious accidents on several occasions. The preceding precautions apply to the actions of individuals who should have control over the bat they are using.

A more serious injury is waiting for the absent-minded youngster who unconsciously walks into the swing of the coach’s bat when the coach is hitting flies, or the equally unwary player who walks into the swing of a player in the on-deck circle. These situations demonstrate the need for everyone to become safety-minded, not only for their own good but also for the safety of others. The following precautions are suggested:

A) The player, usually a catcher, assigned to catching balls for the coach hitting flies should be given the specific assignment of warning away anyone who comes too close.

B) All players and adults should be trained to walk around the on-deck circle whether it is in use or not. The ingrained safety habit of keeping clear may save someone a painful injury.

31 Catcher Safety

1. The catcher, as might be expected from the amount of action involved, has more accidents than any other player. Statistics show that the severity of injuries is less in Major than in Minor League play. Again, this bears out the fact that the more proficient the player, the less chance of injury. Assuming that the catcher is wearing the required protection, the greatest exposure is to the ungloved hand. The catcher must learn to:

○ Keep it relaxed.

○ Always have the back of the throwing hand toward the pitcher when in position to catch.

○ Hold all fingers in a cupped position near the mitt, ready to trap the ball and throw it.

2. The catcher should always be taught to throw the mask in the direction opposite the approach in going for a high fly.

3. As the catcher learns to play this difficult position, a good habit is to keep a safe distance back from the swinging bat. Estimate this as one foot farther from the batter than the ends of the outstretched fingers.

4. To repeat, the best protection is keeping the eye on the ball.

32 General Inattention

Going one step back to the “whys” of most ball handling accidents, it appears that inattention due to inaction or boredom is an underlying accident cause with which we must deal. This situation can be partly offset by using idle time to practice basics of skillful and safe play, such as:

1. Otherwise idle fielders should be encouraged to “talk it up”. Plenty of chatter encourages hustle and enthusiasm. 2. Players waiting for a game or practice to start can pair off and play catch to improve their basic eye-on-ball technique. 3. Practice should include plenty of variety in the drill work. 4. Put a time limit on each drill and do not hold the total practice for more than two hours or less if interest begins to lag. 5. Idle players along the sidelines can be given the job of studying to form of other players to improve their own techniques. They may then report on what they have learned to improve their own form on running, ball handling, throwing, batting, and sliding.

33 TYPES OF SPORTS INJURIES

Injuries to the musculoskeletal system (the bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons) are the most frequently seen in sports medicine. It is important that you can evaluate these injuries properly and apply first aid. Immediate care at the scene of the injury may reduce the pain, shorten recovery time and enable an athlete to return to activity sooner.

There are several kinds of injuries involving the musculoskeletal system:

1. Fracture

*Occurs when there is a break in the continuity of the bone.

*A bone may just be cracked or broken into many pieces.

*May result from a direct or indirect force. (Figure 1)

A. Direct Fracture B. Indirect Fracture

Figure 1

2. Sprain - Occurs when a ligament is torn adjacent to a joint.  Ligaments are responsible for holding the bones of a joint in place and function like hinges.

3. Strain - Occurs when a muscle or tendon is torn (tendons connect muscles to bones)

4. Dislocation  Occurs when the bone ends that form a joint are displaced so that the joint surfaces are no longer in proper alignment - sometimes the displaced bones return to their normal position spontaneously  By definition, this injury: always involves ligament tears  It may also involve a fracture in or near the joint

IN THIS WORKSHOP IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL SERIOUS BONE AND JOINT INJURIES BE DEALT WITH AS FRACTURES UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE BY A PHYSICIAN

It is difficult to diagnose a fracture without the use of x-rays. However, the following list of signs and symptoms will help you to recognize on the field injuries, which require follow-up care.

35 FRACTURES

F. Loss of Function

R. Redness or Discoloration

A. Abnormal Appearance - deformity

C. Crack, Snap or Pop - unusual sounds or sensations experienced by the athlete when the incident occurred.

T. Tenderness - a very specific point of pain

U. Unusual Motion - where it isn’t expected

R. Rubbings or grating sensations

E. Exposed bone

S. Severe swelling

Any or all of the above signs and symptoms are an indication that the injury should be treated as a fracture. It is far better to be cautious than to allow an athlete to become permanently disabled by allowing him to play after having suffered a fracture or severe ligament injury. It is also advisable to take special care with athletes under the age of 18, since permanent damage may result when the epiphysis (growth center of the bone) is injured. Any young athlete who has sustained a joint injury should be suspected of having injured the epiphysis.

2. Management of Severe Bone and Joint Injuries

Evaluations - An injury should be considered severe if any of the following signs or symptoms are present: 1. The athlete is unable to move the injured limb. 2. Loss of feeling 3. Severe deformity 4. An open fracture (there is skin wound near the suspected fracture site)

36 Action

1. Activate EMS (911) 2. Do not attempt to straighten the limb if deformity is present 3. Do not move the athlete unless trained medical personnel give permission

Injury Assessment

What is the Coaches Role?

The purpose of assessment is to enable you to look at an injured athlete and determine what is wrong with him. You should be able to determine the severity of injury, apply appropriate first aid and make arrangements for emergency care when indicated. When you evaluate an injury, you must have an organized approach.

For the purpose of this workshop, there are four basic steps that you should know:

1. History 2. Physical Examination 3. Evaluation 4. Action

A brief assessment should be made at the scene of the injury. First, calm the athlete down. Many times the athlete is overcome emotionally and is unable to cooperate with the examination. Before moving the injured athlete, determine, the method best suited to move him. To make this determination, follow these steps on the field:

1. History ○ Talk to the athlete, ask his name, and ask how old he is ○ Ask where he hurts ○ Ask how the injury occurred ○ Ask if he felt any abnormal sensations or heard any unusual sounds, i.e. snap, crack, pop, etc. ○ Isolate the problem ○ If conscious, go on to the physical examination

2. Physical Examination ○ Touch and observe the athlete ○ Compare the injured side to the non-injured side where appropriate

37 ○ Look for obvious wounds ○ Look for obvious deformities - feel for pain and tenderness ○ Feel and look at the skin for color and temperature 3. Evaluation ○ An evaluation of the injury can now be made ○ Determine the body part involved, i.e. arm, knee, ankle, etc ○ Determine the type of injury, i.e. bruise, strain, fracture, etc. ○ Determine the severity of injury: critical or non-critical 4. Action ○ The decision whether or not to move the athlete and how to move him can now be made. ○ Follow the action portion of the other chapters in the manual ○ Do not move the athlete, who has neck pain, has a head injury, can’t move voluntarily, is not alert and conscious, has evidence of a severe fracture ○ If the athlete is not to be moved, access Emergency Medical Services (EMS) (911) ○ If the athlete can be moved safely, remove him to the sideline for further assessment and appropriate first aid ○ Finally, know your limitations and don’t attempt to do anything beyond the scope of your abilities. Know what to do, but as importantly, know what not to do.

38 First Aid for Sports Injuries

P.R.I.C.E.

Of major importance in providing immediate care for bone and joint injuries is the initial control of hemorrhage, inflammation, muscle spasm, and pain. The fundamental approach accepted by most sports medicine practitioners is referred to as PRICE. The P stand for Protection, R is for Rest, I is for Ice, C is for Compression, and E stands for elevation and early exercise.

Protection - P The injured part should be protected to allow healing to take place. In the early phase of recovery this may involve the use of crutches or a sling. Later this may mean using a knee or ankle brace to support the injury during activity.

Rest - R A period of rest is important after injury to insure healing without complication. Stress which could be detrimental to healing must be avoided.

Ice - I The application of cold to an injury is a valuable first aid procedure. Cold decreases blood flow to the injured area. It reduced the swelling which usually occurs for several hours following an injury. It also minimizes pain and muscle spasm.

A good rule of thumb is to apply cold to an injury for 30 minutes and repeat this procedure every 30 minutes as often as possible. Remember 30 minutes on 30 minutes off. Depending on the severity of the injury, the application of cold may be necessary for 24-72 hours.

39 Compression - C Placing external pressure on an injury helps to decrease hemorrhage and swelling. An elastic wrap that has been soaked in water and frozen can provide both compression and cold when applied to an injury. Pads can be cut from felt or foam rubber to provide compression of an acute injury. (Figure 2)

A horseshoe-shaped pad can reduce swelling from an ankle injury.

Although cold is applied intermittently, compression can be maintained throughout the day. At night, a wrap can be loosened rather than removing it completely.

Elevation - E This is a sometimes neglected yet very important procedure to follow to control swelling. By elevating the injury above the level of heart, gravity is utilized to decrease swelling.

40 Early Exercise

Early controlled motion can be an important part of the rehabilitation process. Exercise can maintain joint motion without disturbing the structures which need to be protected for proper healing. Atrophy which affects muscles that are not being used can also be prevented and movement can help remove swelling from the injured area.

41 Emergency Splinting

Any suspected fracture should be splinted before the athlete is moved. Splinting is a fairly simple procedure. The basic idea is to keep the injured part still so that further injury can be prevented. It isn’t necessary to have an expensive, commercially made splint to do an effective job. A splint can be made from many different items or immobilized by hand.

An athletes arm may be splinted by simply bringing the tail of his shirt up over the arm and holding it to form a sling. The body can often be splinted to itself, i.e., buddy taping two fingers together or securing an arm against the chest. One of the best splints can be made from any rigid, straight material. A newspaper, program, or magazine can be wrapped to the injured part to serve as a splint. See Figure 3

Basic Rules for Splinting

Always splint the injury in the position in which it is found.

Do Not Move the injured area for any reason.

Pad the splint to prevent pressure against the injured area.

When applying the splint, leave the fingers or toes exposed to allow for observation. If the finger or toes become too cold or blue, the splint should be loosened.

Immobilize the joint above and below the injury.

42 Head and Neck Injuries

Injuries to the head and neck are potentially the most serious of all athletic injuries because of the risk of damage to the brain and spinal cord. More deaths have resulted from head and neck injuries than any other sports injury. Although emergency situations are rare in sports, it is important to be prepared. The prompt recognition and care of these injuries is extremely important if a potentially serious or life threatening situation is to be prevented.

The cardinal rule to follow when examining an athlete suspected of having a head or neck injury is DO NOT MOVE THE ATHLETE until a complete evaluation has been performed and you are certain that he/she can be moved safely.

1. Immobilize the head and neck 2. Do not remove any headgear like a helmet that the athlete may be wearing. 3. When checking an athlete with a head injury, always evaluate them for a neck injury as well. 4. The first step when evaluating a head or neck injury is to obtain a history by talking to the athlete. Find out if there have been any previous head injuries. Someone who has had a concussion is 4 times more likely to have another one. 5. If the athlete is unconscious, talk to other players or officials to find out what happened and call 911

On the Field Evaluation of Head and Neck Injuries Flow Chart

Yes - Activate Emergency Plan (911) 1. Loss of consciousness? No - Continue Exam

Yes - Activate Emergency Plan (911) 2. Cervical Spine Pain? (neck) No - Continue Exam

3. Neurological Signs (stinging, burning, Yes - Activate Emergency Plan (911) numbness in arms or legs) Loss of sensation or strength No - Continue Exam

Yes - Activate Emergency Plan (911)

43 4. Decreased Neck ROM No - Continue Exam (Range of Motion)

Yes - Activate Emergency Plan (911) 5. Mental Status Changes No - Continue Exam

If there are no positive findings from this exam, an athlete may be safely removed from the competition. The athlete should rest for at least 20 minutes and during this time he should be monitored for any changes in his functional status. The exam should include the following:

Evaluate Memory Ask questions such as: Where are you? What day is it today? What did you have for breakfast today?

Check the Eyes Are they eyes clear or glassy? Are the pupils of normal size and do they react normally to light? Does the athlete have normal vision?

Ask the Athlete About the Presence and Intensity of: Headache, Nausea, Dizziness, Ringing in the Ears

After 20 minutes, if the athlete is symptom free at rest and on exertion he/she may return to competition. In most situations an athlete’s condition quickly returns to normal following an injury to the head. If the athlete’s condition is getting worse, activate the emergency system (Call 911)

Concussion Grading Scale

Mild Moderate Severe

No loss of consciousness No loss of consciousness Loss of Consciousness No mental status change Amnesia present Neurological findings Nausea, Vomiting

Concussion Management

Remove from play Remove from competition Activate emergency care

44 plan (911)

Recheck in 20 minutes May not return to game

Evaluate for symptoms at rest and exertion

Inform parents of problem Notify Parents Immediately Notify Parents Immediately

45 HEAT ILLNESS - A REVIEW

In order to effectively prevent and treat heat illness it is important to understand how the body responds to exercise in a hot environment. Sweating is the most effective means for the body to dissipate the internal heat generated from exercise. They regulation of the body temperature results almost exclusively from the evaporation and cooling produced by heat. Under extreme conditions, the body’s ability to cool itself effectively may be compromised. When profuse sweating rate and the evaporative cooling process is diminished if water is not replaced. The decreased blood volume that results can lead to cardiovascular collapse and decreased evaporative cooling can cause a dangerous rise in body temperature.

HEAT ILLNESS CONDITIONS

1. Heat Cramps - These are painful muscle cramps that result from loss of fluids and electrolytes. Effective treatment consists of relieving the cramp by applying pressure and stretching the involved muscle. The athlete should be given ample amounts of fluid and perhaps a small quantity of an electrolyte drink. Salt tablets should not be used under any condition as they tend to cause stomach upset and actually worsen dehydration. Ice can be applied to the affected muscle to reduce pain and relieve the spasm.

* Another effective means of treating a muscle cramp is using a method called “acupinch”. In this procedure, the tissue of the upper lip just beneath the nose is compressed between the thumb and index finger until the cramp subsides.

2. Exhaustion - This condition results from a decrease in blood volume due to excessive sweating. Characteristic symptoms include: weakness, headache, dizziness, and nausea - Treatment consists of removing the victim from competition, cooling them down and replenishing fluids. This condition is usually not serious and is quickly corrected.

3. Heat Stroke - This is a medical emergency. The skin is hot and dry, reaching temperatures of 106 degrees and higher. Body temperatures rises because the sweating mechanism has failed. First Aid consists of cooling the victim down immediately by using whatever means available. Preventing serious injury or even death requires lowering the body temperatures within minutes. A temperature over 106 degrees for more than several minutes will cause irreversible damage to the liver, kidney, and brain cells. * The key features that will allow you to distinguish heat stroke from heat exhaustion are dry skin and elevated body temperature. The heat exhaustion victim is sweating and has a near normal body temperature. (See figure 10)

Symptoms of Heatstroke and Heat Exhaustion

47 PREVENTION

1. Check the Environment - Probably the most important point to be emphasized here is how dangerous an extremely humid environment is. Several deaths have occurred on the football field when the temperature was well under 75° Fahrenheit but the humidity was over 95%. The higher the humidity, the more difficult it is for the body to cool itself effectively because the evaporation process is severely compromised. A good rule to remember is that when the combination of temperature and humidity exceeds a total of 150, outdoor activities should be cancelled. (See Table 1)

2. Acclimatization - This is the process of adaptation that enables humans to tolerate heat stress. A significant level of acclimatization can be achieved in ten to twenty days. Initial practices should be of short duration and low intensity. There should be a gradual increase as athletes become accustomed to the heat. As the body conditions itself to the heat, the sweating rate increases, the exercise pulse decreases and the body core temperature is maintained at a lower level during activity.

3. Wear Proper Clothing - Clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, and preferably of mesh type material. Initially, tee shirts and shorts may be used and gradually be replaced by the additional equipment required in that particular sport.

4. Watch High Risk Individuals - Individuals who are heavily muscled and/or overweight seem to be susceptible to heat problems. In fact, most of the heat related deaths in football have occurred in linemen. A good way to screen athletes who may be at risk from heat problems is to record body weight before and after practice. A loss of 3% of the total body weight should invoke caution and necessities an immediate fluid increase. A loss greater than 3% can be dangerous. It is also a good idea to encourage these athletes to report any signs or symptoms which may indicate heat illness to the coach or trainer, i.e. weakness, dizziness, nausea.

5. Provide Plenty of Fluids - Athletes should have unlimited availability to a supply of cool water consuming small quantities of fluids at frequent intervals is advisable. Fluids high in sugar content should be avoided. This is essential to maintain the body’s fluid balance. It is also important to provide sufficient rest periods so that these fluids are absorbed. The thirst mechanism is not well regulated and cannot be relied upon to assure complete fluid replacement. It is imperative that the coach supervise the “water break” and encourage his athletes to drink.

OCTORARA AREA LITTLE LEAGUE HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Head Injury

General

Quite often the signs of a serious head injury do not appear immediately after the trauma but hours or even days after the injury has occurred. The purpose of this fact sheet is to alert you to the symptoms of a significant head injury. These symptoms must be recognized if a serious problem is to be prevented. If your son/daughter experiences any of the following symptoms, get medical help immediately.

If you have any doubt how to handle the situation contact a physician.

Symptoms

1. Severe headache, particularly at a specific location 2. Problem remembering recent events or meaningful facts 3. Mental confusion 4. Dizziness 5. Weakness or loss of feeling in the arms or legs 6. Abnormal drowsiness or sleepiness 7. Stiffness of the neck 8. Convulsions or seizures 9. Loss of appetite 10. Nausea or vomiting 11. Persistent ringing in the ears 12. Slurring of speech 13. Dilated or unequal pupils 14. Bleeding or clear fluid draining from the ears or nose

49 OCTORARA AREA LITTLE LEAGUE HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Abdominal injury

General

A direct blow to the abdomen can cause a very serious and possible fatal injury. It is extremely important to watch your son/daughter closely since the initial symptoms may disappear when internal bleeding stops and then reappear hours, days or even weeks later when bleeding starts again.

Specific

If any of the following symptoms develop refer your child to a physician immediately.

If you have any doubt how to handle the situation contact a physician.

1. Severe pain when the abdomen is touched or when the child moves 2. Rapid breathing 3. Vomiting 4. Cool and moist skin 5. Dizziness and fainting 6. Blood in the urine or stool 7. Referred pain. Many injuries affecting the abdomen will cause pain to be felt in a location away from the injured area. This pain may be present in the shoulders, arms or back.

Keep the child warm and let him/her remain in a position that is most comfortable for them. Do not give them anything to eat or drink if these symptoms are present since this may make their condition worse and interfere with medical treatment.

50 OCTORARA AREA LITTLE LEAGUE HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Sprain, Strain, Contusion

General

How well your son/daughter recovers from these types of injuries and how quickly they are able to return to play is very often determined by the treatment that is given over the next several days. The instructions presented below are designed to reduce pain, swelling and bleeding in the injured area and cut down recovery time. The injury will require some time to heal, but proper treatment will make a difference.

If you have any doubt how to handle the situation contact a physician.

Specific - P.R.I.C.E.

1. P - Protection - Protect the part from any activity that may irritate the injury and delay healing. This may mean using crutches, a splint or sling.

2. R - Rest - It is important to rest the injured part and prevent further injury.

3. I - Ice - Apply ice to the injured area for 20-30 minutes at a time. Place a damp towel or cloth over the injury and wrap a bag of ice on with an elastic bandage. Remember 30 minutes on, 30 minutes off then repeat for 24-72 hours.

4. C - Compression - Provide compression to the injured part by wrapping an elastic bandage around it.

5. E - Elevation - Elevate the injured part above the level of the heart. This will use gravity to decrease blood flow and swelling in the injured area.

51 First Aid for the Eye

To remove grit or foreign bodies from the eye…

Wash the eye liberally with eye wash (if available) or clean tap water. Give tears a chance to wash out speck.

If object is under upper lid, lift upper eyelid outward and down over lower lid so that foreign body may stick to it.

Try to wipe speck gently with moistened sterile gauze or moistened tip of a clean handkerchief.

If under the lower lid, pull down lower lid and wipe off speck gently.

If foreign object doesn’t come out…

Keep eye closed

Place gauze pads or clean cloths over both eyes and hold in place lightly with adhesive tape.

Do not rub eye.

Get professional medical help immediately

If eye is cut or scratched… Do not wash out eye with water.

Bandage lightly

See a doctor at once.

Chester County Branch, Inc. of the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind 71 South First Avenue Coatesville, PA 19320-5408 (610)384-2767 phone (610)384-8005 Fax Rev. 2002

53 Suggested 2 Hour Combined Teams Practice and Skill Enhancements - (2 Teams)

With the idea of two teams using the same field to practice for two hours we might want to try to combine practices. Since the weather is not cooperating at this time and with the idea the fields may not be ready for use until the beginning of April we need to have a plan in place. Keep in mind our goal is to give all boys and girls who want to learn how to play the game of baseball or softball the opportunity to receive our best effort to teach the proper techniques required to play the game to all who participate. I hope that we as coaches, board members, and officers would agree that is why we are here which is to help each child succeed. Hopefully the following practice schedule will show each parent what our goal is and how we as a league plan to accomplish that goal.

Baseball & Softball

Two teams of 13 = 26 kids, 8 different stations - 8 groups of 3 or 4 players per group. Two hour practice 8 stations - 15 minutes at each station

FIRST STATION - Hitting 1. Have batting T’s set up at home plate and have the players hit into the fence or the batting net. Someone can prepare the double T’s set up here if they want to. 2. Somewhere in the outfield we can set-up temporary home plate and we would pitch ping pong balls to the players to watch their bat speed, hand and eye coordination etc., (I have a bucket of ping pong balls)

SECOND STATION - Fielding & Throwing 1. Teach proper fielding position while rolling ground balls to players (with no glove) and toss the ball to second base to player at the base (with glove) 2. Teach proper fielding position and roll ground ball to players (with glove) and have the player throw the ball to player covering first base.

THIRD STATION - Catching Fly Balls 1. Teach each player the proper position to catch fly balls and throw to player or coach. (Temporary base should be made available to represent or simulate throw to second base) 2. Teach proper position for players during relay throw from the outfield. Players should rotate relay position after each throw.

54 FOURTH STATION - Running the Bases 1. Teach each player how to run as fast as they can when running to first and to run through the base. (Don’t stop on first base) 2. Teach players how to make the turn at first and explain how important it is to get back on the base. 3. We could work with pitchers here too?

To accomplish the above practice you would need minimum of one (1) coach for each station. I would prefer to have two (2) coaches at each station with extra coaches filling in where needed. Please review and let me know what you think please understand this is only a suggestion, but keep in mind this is how I plan to run my practices.

55 Game Reschedule Process

Since the fields are few and the teams are many, we need to work in an orderly manner to reschedule games. This is to ensure that not only do you have a field to play on, but also umpires to call the game. Therefore, it is imperative that you follow the process below when your game needs to be rescheduled.

1. The Home Team will be responsible for calling in all game changes. This includes rain outs. 2. Before a call is ever made, both coaches involved need to agree on a day and time for the reschedule. 3. The Home Team will call the president to make him aware that no game will be played. The president will determine field availability. 4. The scheduler will then respond the same day to the Home Team, to confirm field availability, or if no field is available, what days and times are available. 5. When the field is available, the Scheduler will assign the game and notify the Home Team of the change. When no field is available, the Scheduler will give the Home Team a list of available dates and times. 6. The Home Team will be responsible for contacting the other team to confirm the game time and place when the game has been reassigned. 7. When the game has not been reassigned, the Home Team will contact the other team and review the dates and times that are available. When agreement is reached, the Home Team will begin the process again with step number 3 listed above. 8. Once the rescheduled game is finalized, the Scheduler will contact the Umpire Director with the new game so that umpires can be assigned.

Some things to keep in mind during the season

1. There will be no practice time available at the fields in Christiana for the leagues. Should you feel the need to practice, you will need to notify the scheduler of your intent to practice at West Sadsbury, Highland or Octorara YMCA, so as to ensure multiple teams do not show up at the same time. 2. Please place your calls between the hours of 7am and 10pm. He and his children would appreciate this.

56 B2B University PITCHING / THROWING STRETCHING - INSTRUCTOR WILL DEMONSTRATE

The Grip 1. Four seams vs. two seams 2. Space between the fingers and baseball 3. Loose grip (should see gap between fingers) 4. Further fingers are spread apart, less velocity 5. Thumb goes under the baseball, not to the side

Playing catch and loosening up 1. Partner needs to give a target 2. Starter Step - step towards target 3. Line up the scope 4. “Thigh, wave good-bye” 5. Arm slots 6. Follow-through 7. Catch the ball, starter step, down-back-and through 8. Play the game 21 (2 points face, 1 point chest)

Six-Step Isolation Drill (mechanics) 1. Wrist-flick, elbow in glove (standing) 2. Forearm toss, elbow in glove (standing) 3. “Shooting darts” (sitting) 4. Down on one-knee toss 5. No-stride toss (feet spread and don’t move) 6. Normal playing catch

Pitching 1. Grip a. Fingers on top of ball b. Two seams = ball running c. Four seams = ball straight 2. Feet a. Right handed = right side of mound b. Left handed = left side of mound c. Heel on rubber, not toe d. Slow tempo into wind-up e. Keep head above pivot foot f. Pivot in front of rubber

3. Balanced position a. Pick up leg in a slow motion b. Closed front leg

57 c. Hands to knee, knee high 4. Power position a. Ball out thigh, waving good bye b. Hand above ball c. Arm gets to an “L” position d. Front side (shoulder, elbow) lead to home e. Weight back f. Front toe points toward home Follow through 1. Momentum should take you through 2. End up in a good fielding position

Off-Speed Pitches 1. No curves until Junior League 2. Change up, Change up, change up! a. 8-10 MPH difference b. Four fingers on ball, still in fingers c. Middle two fingers on the seams d. Turn wrist a little down and away Drills 1. Power position drills (legs already planted, spread) 2. Tee drill (gets elbow up) 3. Progression drills Common Flaws 1. Head over the posting foot 2. Body leans to one side 3. Hands break too high, too low or off center lands on a still front leg 4. Lands on the stride foot heel 5. Lands too open or closed 6. Over rotates the upper body 7. Pitcher on the side of the ball instead of on top of the ball 8. Hands set off-center 9. Poor balance 10. Poor finish - too upright or arm cuts into the body 11. Poor weight transfer 12. Pushes off with the back foot 13. Recoils upon releasing the ball 14. Stride leg comes out and down 15. Stride too long/too short 16. Eyes off level 17. Swings stride leg out and down 18. Arm at less than an “L” position when the stride foot lands 19. Back foot drags away from the rubber 20. Poor timing between the hands and the body 21. Finishes in less than defensive position

PITCHING MECHANICS CHART

Flaw #

Flaw Key Most common Pitching Flaws 1. Head over the posting foot 2. Body leans to one side 3. Hands break too high, too low or off center lands on a still front leg 4. Lands on the stride foot heel 5. Lands too open or closed 6. Over rotates the upper body 7. Pitcher on the side of the ball instead of on top of the ball 8. Hands set off-center 9. Poor balance 10. Poor finish - too upright or arm cuts into the body 11. Poor weight transfer 12. Pushes off with the back foot 13. Recoils upon releasing the ball 14. Stride leg comes out and down 15. Stride too long/too short 16. Eyes off level 17. Swings stride leg out and down 18. Arm at less than an “L” position when the stride foot lands 19. Back foot drags away from the rubber 20. Poor timing between the hands and the body 21. Sideways spin on the ball 22. Finishes in less than defensive position

Pitch Count and Other ASMI Recommendations

Pitch Counts

Age Max. Pitches / Game Max. Games per week

8-10 52 2

11-12 68 2

13-14 76 2

15-16 91 2

17-18 106 2

Recovery Times

Age 1 Day Rest 2 Days Rest 3 Days Rest 4 Days Rest

8-10 21 34 43 51

11-12 27 35 55 58

13-14 30 36 56 70

15-16 25 38 62 77

17-18 27 45 62 89

Age recommendations for Learning Various Pitches

Pitch Age

Fastball 8-10

Change-up 10-13

Curve Ball 14-16

Knuckle Ball 15-18

Slider 16-18

Fork Ball 16-18

Screw Ball 17-19

Pitch Count Plus Other Factors Other factors to take into account as you determine, “How many pitches should I allow my player to pitch?”

Some additional ASMI Survey Conclusions:  A pitcher should be limited to two appearances per week.  Participation in multiple leagues, playing other positions, and practice should be considered when defining and regulating rest.  Improper technique is a major factor in injury potential  Conditioning of the throwing arm and entire body can reduce a young pitcher’s risk of injury  While the number of pitches should be limited the young athlete should be encouraged to throw.  This includes playing catch, playing other positions besides pitcher, and practicing pitching.  When symptoms of arm discomfort or fatigue arise, longer periods of rest are recommended.

Reference: http://www.qcbaseball.com/philosophy/pitch_count2.aspx

INFIELDING

Mental Approach 1. Make sure your words are positive 2. Build their confidence 3. Turn failure into a learning experience, not a traumatic experience 4. Always think the ball is going to be hit to you 5. Reading the pitch

Approaching the BAseball (Before You Actually Field the Ball) 1. Before the pitch, be in a good, athletic position a. Hands should not be on knees b. Momentum should be going toward home plate c. Teach the players to communicate with one another 2. Be aggressive and go get the ball (choose your hop) Three types of hops: a. Long b. Short c. In-between 3. Develop a sense of rhythm (“Dancing with the baseball”)

Fielding the Baseball 1. Tailgate should be lowered a. Knees bent b. Ball of your feet c. Knees inside the feet 2. Legs staggered (left foot in front of right) a. Right foot in front of left for left-handers 3. Elbows bent 4. Hands are giving and soft, not made out of stone 5. Hands should be at 7 and 2 o’clock 6. You should see the bead on the players baseball cap 7. The ball should be fielded off the inside left foot (vice versa for lefties) 8. Make sure you work through the ball toward your intended target 9. Hands should always be together for quick release and support

Throwing the Baseball 1. Ball should be gripped with four seams 2. Line up your scope (shoulder) with your target 3. Short C vs. Long C

63 a. Long C is for outfielders or a long throw in the hole or from short or third b. Short C is quicker and for turning two or getting rid of the ball quickly

Covering the Bag at Second from Catcher 1. Proper footwork Around the Bag a. Proper footwork with foot in front of bag b. Footwork on bad throws 2. Applying the Tag a. A quick and decisive tag b. Tagging the bag and not the runner

Drills and Conditioning 1. Stationary ball drill 2. Short hop drill a. In front b. Backhand c. Forehand 3. Quick-hands a. Stationary popping ball out of glove b. Speed drill 4. Four corners 5. Four corner flip drill 6. Double play team drill 7. Pick-up drill a. Ground ball b. Air drill 8. Three-man relay a. Explain the triangle 9. Using soft-hands tool or bare-hand

HITTING

1. On-Deck Mental ASpects a. Developing a positive attitude b. Studying the pitcher c. Staying loose d. Consider the situation e. Look for one pitch early in the count 2. Stance / Preflight Check a. Develop a soft focus b. Feet are spread at least shoulder width apart c. Weight is on ball of feet...knees inside feet d. Hands are loose on the bat towards tips of fingers e. Line-up knocking knuckles f. Hands and bat are loose at back shoulder g. Spaghetti arms h. #1 myth… Get your back elbow up i. TV face j. Develop a sense of rhythm k. More movement - more problems l. Bottom line…. Must be comfortable and balanced 3. Stride / Load / Launch a. Short and soft stride (stepping on an egg carton) b. Heel to pitcher / front side closed c. Hands load back d. Keep bat from wrapping...tilt top of barrel back e. Slow feet, quick hands f. Weight stays back when you load-up

65 g. Weight goes back, not upper body h. Teach it now…. Kids can hit well without doing this in Little League 4. Swing a. Contact points for inside, down middle, outside pitches b. Short swing vs. long swing c. Take hands to the ball d. Swing (continued) e. Swing with down angle f. Wrists do not roll over until after contact….another big myth g. Bat angles for inside-outside-down the middle h. “Squish the bug” but don’t over squish it i. Throw the hands - whip the bat j. Choose a bat that kid can handle (wood bat is optimal for practice) 5. Follow-Through a. Hit through ball and don’t stop swinging b. Balance, Balance, Balance c. Head must stay on point of contact d. Hand release vs. no hand release e. Don’t lunge or get out of front foot…. 60/40 6. Purpose a. Learn to hit with a purpose b. Game situation hitting c. Always think “drive ball back up the middle” 7. Bunting a. Square-up vs. pivot b. Hand location c. Bat angle / receiving the baseball d. Third/First placement (using the knob as a lever)

Drills: Soft toss BP - instead of taking regular batting practice, soft-toss to the hitters on the field. Sit on a bucket beside the plate, and give them 3 inside, 3 down the middle, and 3 outside pitches. This builds confidence, manages time, and allows one-on-one instruction.

Fungo Game - Split the kids into teams of 3 or 4, and have them play a game. They get 3 outs and will toss the ball up into the air and hit it at home. The rest of the kids play defense. The object is to score as many runs as possible. This builds confidence, bat/ball relationship, and allows for game situations.

66 Wiffle - Ball - Use wiffle golf balls to soft-toss on the side, or in groups of 4 in the outfield. A dowel rod cut to a respectable length will work well to hit the balls, or your could use a bat.

“Bull’s-eye” Game - Place a net or two in the field, and have the kids try to hit the baseball into those nets. This teaches bat control, situational hitting, and patience at the plate.

Bunting - Place orange cones or any object and have students bunt between the cones. (for extra drills to fix specific problems or for more info, see instructor.

67 ORGANIZING A PRACTICE

First 15-20 minutes Routine, Routine, Routine Players should arrive and go through some kind of stretching routine Arms should be stretched together using a ball and their glove as a weight Form throwing and working on hitting their target (playing catch)

Batting Practice

This is not merely one coach throwing to one hitter; it should be a planned, orchestrated part of practice that includes the training of many skills.

Sixty percent of baseball practice should be Batting Practice. And I think the key question is, “How do we utilize this time so that we: 1. Get in as many quality repetitions as possible 2. Keep all of our players busy and learning 3. Practice defensive skills as well 4. Practice other offensive skills, i.e. Base Running

When you add Situational Hitting to BP you may cut the number of rounds and/or swings in each round. Situational Hitting initially will take a lot of time so you may want to spend an entire BP on these skills. Situational Hitting involves the important skills of bunting, bunting for a base hit, the squeeze bunt, hit-and-run, hitting behind a runner, hitting a ground ball into the middle of the infield and hitting a fly ball deep enough to score a runner from third base.

And you are working with a base runner as well. He is practicing his leads at all three bases, reading and reacting to the ball, and reading and reacting to the pitcher.

Batting Practice Routine

If you don’t have batting cages you can do it this way:

Divide the hitters into groups of 4 or 5, depending on the number on the team. Your catchers and pitchers can hit first so they can get in bullpens or skill work. First player hit 3 bunts, 10 swings. Second player is on deck taking dry swings. Third player is hitting off a tee or hitting soft toss. The tee hitter retrieves any foul balls that go over the back stop.

Four rounds are a good number, 3 bunts - 8 swings, 6 swings, 4 swings

On the days you don’t incorporate Situational Hitting hit grounders to the infielders.

The coach on the third base side of the field hits ground balls to the SS and First Baseman. The coach on the first base side hits ground balls to the second and third baseman. This gives the players game-like angles for their ground ball work.

The infielders field fungos only. They let all other balls go into the outfield. This is for safety purposes. You don’t want players to have two balls hit to them at the same time.

Infielders do not throw across. They throw back to the fungo coach so that the ball lands and takes one hop. This is a learned skill. The other coaches are needed elsewhere, the players won’t throw too much during a practice and they remain facing the batter for safety purposes.

Variations: *Soft Toss - sitting on a bucket from the side to work on fundamentals...builds confidence *Short Toss - if you have an L screen, toss underhand from the front of home plate. *Play a fungo game - split into teams of 3 or 4 in game situation….players toss up ball and hit it *Wiffle golf balls - use wiffle balls and a dowel rod for fun and eye-hand coordination

The Outfielders Okay, everybody is busy but what about the outfielders? Aren’t they just standing around, picking their noses? NO!

Have a bagman in centerfield. All balls that go into outfield are thrown to him. Throwing to the bagman affords each outfielder the opportunity to practice throwing technique and accuracy. Use good throwing technique. The bagman has the opportunity to improve his catching skills.

Breaking on Fly Balls

One of the most difficult skills in baseball is learning to track a fly ball. It takes practicing innumerable fly balls to become proficient at this skill.

Instead of just standing around in the outfield, players practice breaking on every pitch. They learn to concentrate and see the ball off the bat. The hitter’s swing will tell the outfielders in what direction the ball is hit. They are to break in that direction.

69 The “break” doesn’t have to be a long run, just a few steps to get an idea of where the ball will come down. Only the player closest to the fly ball makes the catch.

Bunting, hitting skills, base running, ground balls, throw and catch, tracking fly balls, not bad for an hour plus of batting practice

Defensive Situations

One of the most under-used aspects of a practice is situations. Some practices may, and should, be devoted to teaching the kids the situational aspects of baseball. This can be done a number of ways:

One player is at each position, and the other kids are running the bases as the coach hits the ball to induce the desired situation he or she wants. Make sure to draw a line behind home plate and the runner should not leave until the ball is hit. A fungo game can be played with one player at each position and the rest of the kids make up a team. Rotate after 9 outs. The number on a team will depend on the number of players you have. Split the field in half and work on one side defensively. The other half may work with another coach on bunting or another skill. Pop-up communication Bunt defense Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

Running the Bases / Conditioning

I never understood why you would run sprints with young kids. Use this time to incorporate base running. Here are ways:

4-3-2-1 Kids run 4 singles, 3 doubles, 2 singles, 1 homerun

“Catch the Rabbit” One kid stands on each base, and one kid stands between each base (8 kids). Say go, and you have to touch the person in front of you….he is out when you do. The last one standing is the winner.

Another version of “Catch the Rabbit 2”, divide the kids into two teams. One group on Home plate and the other group at second base. One kid from each team runs all the way around the bases trying to beat the other. The next player goes after the prior one tags the base. Everyone gets a turn to run. If there is an odd number of players that team designates who runs twice.

70 Baseball Evaluation Sheet

Player Name:______

Hitting: Fielding: Contact ______Hands ______Power ______Mechanics ______Poise ______Range ______Mechanics ______Footwork ______Total Score ______Total Score ______

Throwing: Attitude / Work Ethic: Strength ______Hustles ______Accuracy ______Coachable ______Mechanics ______Baseball Intelligence ___ Total Score ______Total Score ______

Total Score ______

Running Time - Home to 1st #1______#2______Running Time - Home to Home #1______#2______

Rating Scale: 5 = Superior 4 = Above Average 3 = Average 2 = Below Average 1 = Needs Improvement

82 Facility surveys may also be entered online LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL® & SOFTBALL NATIONAL FACILITY SURVEY 2018

League Name: ______Octorara Area Little League District #:______23 ID #:______238-23-30 (if needed) ID #:______(if needed) ID #:______City: ______Christiana State: ______PA

. President: ______Phil Capotrio Safety Officer:______Ron Deeter . Address:______709 Towhee Ln Address: ______130 Hemlock Dr Address:______Address: ______. City:______Cochranville City: ______Cochranville . State:______ZIP:Pa ______19330 State: ______ZIP:Pa ______19330 . Phone (work):______610-529-0713 Phone (work):______570-205-0503 . Phone (home):______Phone (home): ______Phone (cell): ______Phone (cell): [email protected] . Email: ______Email: [email protected]

PLANNING TOOL FOR FUTURE LEAGUE NEEDS SPECIFIC BALLFIELD QUESTIONS -Please list all fields by name. Field Identification (List your ballfields 1-20) Use additional forms if more than 20 fields. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 ASAP -A Safety Awareness Program Limited Eddition 10-year Pin Collection

This survey can assist in finding areas of focus for your safety plan. During your annual field inspections, please complete this form and return along with your qualified safety plan. In return, we'll send you the 2018 Disney®character collector's pin shown at right featuring Digger in right field. Or enter data on the ASAP online site through the Little League Data Center.

Name: Christiana - Lower Field Christiana - Lower Name: Christiana - Middle Name: Field Christiana - Upper Field Name: Christiana - T-Ball Name: Field Octorara Name: HSField JV Baseball OctoraraField Name: HS Baseball Varsity (Cochranville) Fallowfield West Name: Field Highland Name: Township Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Name: Please answer the following questions for each field: Field # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 GENERAL INVENTORY (For the following questions, if the answer is "No" please leave the space blank.) 1.How many cars can park in designated parking areas? None 1 - 50 x x 51-100 x x x x x x 101 or more 2.How many people can your bleachers seat? None/NA 1-100 x x x x x x 101-300 301-500 501 or more 3.What material is used for bleachers? Wood x x Metal x x x x Other 4.Metal bleachers: Ground wire attached to ground rod? Yes 5.Wood bleachers: Are inspected annually for safety? Yes x 6.Is a safety railing at the top/back of bleachers? Yes x 7.Is a handrail up the sides of bleachers? Yes x 8.Is telephone service available? Permanet Cellular x x x x x x x x 9.Is a public address system available? Permanet x x Portable x x 10.Is there a pressbox? Yes x 11.Is there a scoreboard? Yes x x x 12.Adequate bathroom facilities available? Yes x x x x x 13.Permanent concession stands? Yes x x x x 14.Mobile concession stands? Yes Please answer the following questions for each field: Field # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 FIELD 15.Is field completely fenced? Yes x x x x x x 16.What type of fencing material is used? Chainlink x x x x x x Wood Wire 17.What base path material is used? Sand, clay, soil mix x x x x x x x Ground burnt brick Other: 18.What is used to mark baseline? Non-caustic lime x x x x x x x Spray paint Commerc'l marking 19.Is your the infield surface grass? Yes x x x x x x 20.Does field have conventional dirt pitching mound? Yes x x x x x x x 21.Does field have a temporary pitching mound? Yes 22.Are there foul poles? Yes x x x x x 23.Backstop behind home plate? Yes x x x x x x x PERFORMANCE AND PLAYER SAFETY 24.Is there an outfield warning track? Yes x x 24.a. If yes, what width is warning track? Please specify: (Width in feet) 25.Batter's eye (screen/covering) at center field? Yes x x x 26.Pitcher's eye (screen/covering) behind home plate? Yes x 27.Are there protective fences in front of the dugouts? Yes x x x x x x x x 28.Is there a protected, on-deck batter's area? (On-deck areas havebeen eliminated for Yes ages 12 and below.) 29.Do you have fenced, limited access bull pens? Yes 30.Is a first aid kit provided per field? Yes x x x x x x x x 31.Do bleachers have spectator foul ball protection? Overhead screens Fencing behind x x x x x x x x 32.Do your bases disengage from their anchors? (Mandatory since 2008) Yes x x x x x x x x 33.Is the field lighted? Yes 34.Are light levels at/above Little League standards? Yes (50 footcandles infield/30 footcandles outfield) Don't know 35.What type of poles are used? Wood* (Wood poles have not been allowed by Little League for new Steel construction of lighting since 1994) Concrete 36.Is electrical wiring to each pole underground? Yes 37.Ground wires connected to ground rods on each pole? Yes 38.Which fields were tested/inspected in the last two years? Electrical System Please indicate month/year testing was done (example: 3/10). Light Levels 39.Fields tested/inspected by qualified technician? Electrical System Light Levels Please answer the following questions for each field: Field # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 FACILITY MANAGEMENT 40. Which fields have the following limitations: a. Amount of time for practice? Yes x x x x x x x x b. Number of teams or games? Yes c. Scheduling and/or timing? Yes 41. Who owns the field? Municipal x x x x x x School x x League 42. Who is responsible for operational energy costs? Municipal School x x League x x x x x x 43. Who is responsible for operational maintenance? Municipal x School x x League x x x x x x 44. Who is responsible for puchasing improvements Municipal x for the field - ie bleachers, fences, lights? School League x x x Other x x x x x 45. What divisions of baseball play on each field? T-Ball & Minor x x x x x x Major x x x x x x Jr., Sr. & Big x x Challenger 50 – 70 x x 46. What divisions of softball play on each field? T-Ball & Minor Major Jr., Sr. & Big Challenger 47. Do you plan to host tournaments on this field? Yes x x x x x FIELD DIMENSION DATA Please complete for each field. Use additional space if necessary.

Height Distance from home plate to: Fould territory distance from:

of Outfield Fence Left field line to fence at: Right field line to fence at:

Field outfield Back Outfield Outfield

No. fence Left Center Right Stop Home 3rd foul pole Home 1st foul pole

1 4.00 200.00 200.00 200.00 12.00 10.00 9.00 4.00 10.00 6.00 4.00 2 4.00 180.00 180.00 200.00 12.00 10.00 8.00 4.00 11.00 8.00 6.00 3 4.00 190.00 200.00 180.00 15.00 10.00 8.00 6.00 12.00 12.00 4.00 4 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 10.00 0.00 0.00 10.00 0.00 0.00 5 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 40.00 42.00 43.00 45.00 42.00 42.00 40.00 6 7.00 320.00 375.00 320.00 40.00 42.00 43.00 45.00 42.00 42.00 40.00 7 5.00 250.00 250.00 250.00 180.00 20.00 21.00 0.00 15.00 15.00 0.00 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Return completed survey with safety program registration and supporting materials by April 16, 2018 to:

Mailing address: Little League International PO Box 3485 Williamsport, PA 17701

Shipping address: Little League International 539 US Route 15 Hwy. South Williamsport, PA 17702

Leagues completing their facility survey via form should include it with safety plan submission.