FCLL Safety Overview for Volunteers

1. FCLL Safety Overviewfor Volunteers Updated: April 01, 2012

2. Contents • Introduction • Mission • Contact info • Responsibilities • Police Check • First Aid Kits • Incident Reports • Bow River Coyotes • Weather • Key Safety Related Rules • Safety Code • Annual Safety Charter Overview for Managers

3. Introduction Brief overview of key safety considerations Not a comprehensive guide Refer to: Little League Green Book FCLL House Rules FCLL Safety Plan on our website www.fcll.ca In all cases Let Common Sense Prevail ! Please help train fellow coaches and volunteers

4. The Mission • The intent of this safety program is to create awareness, through education and information, of the opportunities to provide a safer environment for kids and all participants of Fish Creek Little League. The Future • Our efforts will collectively raise safety awareness among participants of Fish Creek Little League. Safety will become a habit, and activities will become “safer for the kids” through our incorporation of an ASAP Qualified Safety Program. Our safety program will survive transitions in leadership, and our league will gain control over injury and liability concerns that may come about. COMMITMENT TO SAFETY • Before the start of each season each manager and coach will be directed to this Safety Plan which contains important safety and first aid information with which all volunteers should be familiar.All managers and coaches will be provided with the Safety Code that they must fill out and return to the Safety Officer.

5. Contact Info • Emergency Services (Ambulance, Police, Fire) • 911 • Your Teams Manager and Parent Representative • Safety Officer – Gary Moseley • Cell 403-615-4835, Home 403-719-4835 • Gary.Moseley@Fluor.com • Equipment Manager – Marc Kelly • Cell 403-862-2805, Home 403-203-9334 • marckelly14@shaw.ca • Diamond Director – Daren Fech • Cell 403-999-7618, Home 403-257-3573 • fech@shaw.ca • Fish Creek Little League President – Mike Doyle • Cell 403-589-5987, Home 403-225-3765 • mjd@cagc.ca

6. Responsibilities • Safety is everyone’s responsibility • See it….own it! • Know and apply all safety related rules • Most Accidents are preventable! • Be aware of team allergies & health issues • Watch for and report all safety hazards • Diamonds • Equipment • First aid supplies • Etc… • Report injury incidents

7. Police Check • Little League requires annual background screening for volunteers • No manager/coach may take the field without filing paperwork • Contact the safety officer for logistics • Paper work takes ~10 min to complete • Requires 2 pieces of government issued ID – one with photo • A police record does not automatically disqualify a volunteer • Case by case review • Strictly confidential

8. First Aid Kits • First Aid kits – located at all FCLL diamonds • Ice packs – also stocked there • Return kits and unused ice packs to the box (don’t put in your equipment bag!) • Notify the Safety Officer when any First Aid supplies are running low (before they’re gone!)

9. Incident Reports • Manager must report all injuries or accidents within 48 hrs • Injuries to players, coaches, umpires, spectators • Player’s Manager files report, or the home team Manager for neutral parties (eg. Umpire) • Use online incident report form at www.fcll.ca • Manager discretion whether a report is warranted: • Report if the first aid kit is used, a player cannot continue in the game, or a hospital visit it required • If unsure, then file a report • For series head injuries, player must have written Doctor’s consent before returning to games or practices • Includes concussion or loss of consciousness

10. Bow River Coyotes • Coyotes frequent the hillside and marshy area to the East of the FCLL Bow River diamonds • Coyote attacks on humans are rare, but can occur. Attacks on unleashed dogs are more common. • Advise parents: • Do not leave children unattended in the area beyond the outfield fences (including the green space) • Keep dogs under control at all times. Consider others may have dog related allergies or are fearful of dogs. • More information available on Alberta Fish and Wildlife recorded information line 403-297-7789

11. Weather • Consult with the opposing manager and umpire • Suspend or call games and practices if weather makes the conditions unsafe • Rain considerations • Is the grass very slick? • Is the infield saturated? • Are the balls or bats too wet? • Lightning considerations • Lightning can strike from up to 10 miles away • Seek cover inside a building or vehicle (NOT a shack or dugout) • Do not stand under a tree or near metal fencing or bleachers.

12. Key Safety Related Rules • Slide or go around - Runner must attempt to avoid fielder with the ball (not just at home), or fielding a batted ball • Athletic cups are mandatory for boys. Jill straps for girls. • Know and adhere to pitch counts for your age level • Know the bat spec restrictions for your division • Manage dugouts • Limit items on ground (tripping) • Encourage kids sitting down and facing forward • No standing on seats • Encourage parents to not be around dugouts • No throwing bats • Majors and under • no on-deck batting (anywhere). Except lead-off hitters. • no metal cleats

13. Safety Code • Familiarize yourself with the FCLL Safety Code. (Contained in FCLL Safety Plan at www.fcll.ca) • Act responsibly (as adults should regarding youth sports)

14. Questions?Suggestions?

15. Backup only

16. FISH CREEK LITTLE LEAGUE SAFETY CODE The Board of Directors of Fish Creek Little League has mandated the following Safety Code. All managers and coaches will read this Safety Code and then read it to the players on their team prior to the start of League Play. Signatures are required in the spaces provided below acknowledging that the manager, coach and players understand and agree to comply with the Safety Code. Tear the signature sheet on the dotted line and return to Safety Officer. Arrangements should be made in advance of all games and practices for emergency medical services. Parents should be encouraged to personally attend/be present at all practices and games. Responsibility for safety procedures belongs to every adult member of the local league. It is the responsibility the Manager to report ALL injuries that occur during sanctioned practices or games. Each player, manager, designated coach and umpire shall use proper reasoning and care to prevent injury to him/her and to others. Only league approved managers and/or coaches are allowed to practice teams. Only league-approved managers and/or coaches will supervise batting cages. It will be mandatory for all managers and coaches to attend a coach/safety fundamentals training clinic. First-aid kits will be available at every field site. No games or practices will be held when weather or field conditions are poor, particularly when lightning is in the area. Play area will be inspected before games and practices for holes, damage, stones, glass and other foreign objects. Team equipment should be stored within the team dugout or behind screens and not within the area defined by the umpires as live ball territory. Pitching machines must be operated only by managers and coaches. CONTINUED

17. Responsibility for keeping bats and loose equipment off the field of play should be that of the team’s manager and designated coaches. During practice and games, all players should be alert and watching the batter on each pitch. Managers should inform parents to stay away from the dugout area, so that the children remain focused forward towards the field for safety reasons. During warm-up drills, players should be spaced so that no one is endangered by wild throws or missed catches. Managers are responsible for ensuring all players (particularly pitchers) are properly warmed up before playing (practices and games). 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 endangering 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. Bats should be checked by Managers and Coaches. NO illegal (as designated by Little League International) bats shall be allowed for use in practice or games for safety reasons. Coaches should go through the list of approved bats with parents before starting each season. Batters must wear Little League approved protective helmets that bear the NOCSAE seal during batting practice and games. CONTINUED

18. Except when a runner is returning to a base, head first slides are not permitted. This does not apply to ages 13 and above. During sliding practice, bases should not be strapped down or anchored. At no time should "horse play" be permitted on the playing field or in the dugouts. Parents of players who wear glasses should be encouraged to provide "safety glasses" for their children. On-deck batters are not permitted, except in Junior division and above. All male players will wear athletic supporters during games. Managers should encourage that cups be worn at practices also. Catchers must wear a cup. Male catchers must wear the metal, fiber or plastic type cup and a long-model chest protector. Junior and above baseball and all softball catcher’s may wear either the long or short model chest protector. All catchers must wear chest protectors with neck collar, throat guard, shin guards and catcher's helmet, all of which must meet Little League specifications and standards. All catchers must wear a mask, "dangling" type throat protector and catcher's helmet during practice, pitcher warm-up and games. Note: Skullcaps are not permitted. Players will not wear bands, watches, rings, pins, jewelry or other metallic items during practices or games. (Exception: Jewelry that alerts medical personnel to a specific condition is permissible and this must be taped in place.) Managers will never leave an unattended child at a practice or game. Never hesitate to report any present or potential safety hazard to the Safety Officer immediately. Arrange to have a cellular phone available when a game or practice is at a facility that does not have public phones. Speed Limit should be observed while driving around the facility. CONTINUED

19. No alcohol or drugs are allowed on the premises at any time. No playing in the parking lots at any time. No playing in construction areas at any time No playing on and around lawn equipment, machinery at any time. No smoking within twenty feet of the dugouts. No swinging bats or throwing baseballs at any time within the walkways and common areas of the complex. No throwing rocks. No climbing fences. No swinging on dugout roofs. Managers and coaches must remember they are not permitted to warm up pitchers. Observe all posted signs. Players and spectators should be alert at all times for foul balls and errant throws. All gates to the fields must remain closed at all times. After players have entered or left the playing field, gates should be closed and secured. Use crosswalks when crossing roadways. Always be alert for traffic. There is no running or climbing allowed on the bleachers.