Safety Plan

Important Numbers: Police/Fire/Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency Police: 813.276.3200

League Numbers:

Safety Code:
● Responsibility for safety procedures belongs to every adult member of the local league.
● Each player, manager, designated coach, and umpire shall use proper reasoning and care to prevent injury to him/herself and to others
● No games or practice should be held when weather or field conditions are not good, particularly when lighting is present.
● Play areas should be inspected frequently for holes, damage, glass, and other foreign objects.
● Dugouts and bat racks should be positioned behind screens.
● Only players, managers, coaches, and umpires are permitted on the playing field during play and practice sessions.
● Foul balls batted out of the playing area should be returned to the dugout or umpire.
● During practice sessions and games, all players should be alert and watching the batter on each pitch.
● During warm up drills, players should be spaced so that no one is endangered by errant balls.
● Equipment should be inspected regularly. Make sure it fits properly.
● Pitching machines, if used, must be in good working order (including extension cords, outlets, etc.) and must be operated only by adult managers and coaches.
● Batters must wear protective NOCSAE helmets during practice, as well as during games.
● Catchers must wear a catcher's helmet (with face mask and throat guard), chest protector, and shin guards. Male catchers must wear a protective supporter and cup at all times.
● Softball players must wear fielding face masks during games and practices.
● Except when a runner is returning to a base, head first slides are not permitted. This applies only to Little League (Majors), Minor League, and Tee Ball.
● During sliding practice bases should not be strapped down. Helmets must be worn during sliding practice.
● At no time should “horse play” be permitted on the playing field.
● Parents of players who wear glasses should be encouraged to provide “Safety Glasses.”
● Players must not wear watches, rings, pins, jewelry, hard cosmetic, or hard decorative items.
● Catchers must wear a catcher's helmet, face mask, and throat guard in warming up pitchers. This applies between innings and in bullpen practice. Skull caps are not permitted.
● Batting/catcher’s helmets should not be painted unless approved by the manufacturer.
● Regulations prohibit on-deck batters. This means no player should handle a bat, even while in an enclosure, until it is his/her time at bat. This applies only to Little League (Majors), Minor League, and Tee Ball.
● 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.
● Players who are ejected, ill, or injured should remain under supervision until released to the parent or guardian.
● Managers will remain at the field until all parents/guardians have picked up all players.
● Managers and Coaches will avoid one on one time with players in any private setting and should always be within observable distance of another adult.
● Never hesitate to report any present or potential safety hazard to the Safety Officer immediately.
First Aid:
● First aid kits will be provided to each manager at the start of each season and should be available to them at all practices and games.
● First aid kits with cold packs can be found in the dugout closet on each field.
● Ice can also be found in the concession stand and softball club house.
● First aid kits should include: Accident and Incident Reporting:
● All accidents and incidents are to be reported to the league president and safety officer within 24 hours. Forms included in the safety manual and also available on our website.
Batting Cages:
● Helmets must be worn at all times
● Batting Cages are for little league use only
● No metal spikes
● No horseplay
Board Member on duty:
● Each game day of the season, there will be a designated board member on duty.
● They will be at the park or available via cell phone if any situations arise and will have a badge displayed at all times.
Severe Weather:
● Currently, Interbay Little League has three onsite lightning detectors (softball clubhouse, two story garage by exterior stairwell, and under covered area of concession #2 at field d). Coaches should rely on these detectors to detect inclement weather conditions.
● A general rule of thumb is that if lightning is within 6 miles then practices and games should be delayed until there is no lightning within 6 miles for a period of 30 minutes.
Abuse Awareness and Reporting:
● It is the responsibility of everyone in the little league community to keep our game safe for all athletes. This begins with being able to recognize, prevent, and respond to any abuse or misconduct appropriately.
● Emotional and physical misconduct can be more prevalent in sports than anyone would like to admit. Recognizing and reporting misbehavior to the authorities is the most important way to stop the misconduct from continuing to happen.
● We have a zero-tolerance culture that does not allow any type of activity that promotes or allows any form of misconduct or abuse (mental, physical, emotional, or sexual) between players, coaches, parents/guardians/caretakers, spectators, volunteers, and/or any other individual.
● Coaches, managers and all volunteers are required to report child abuse, including sexual abuse involving a minor, to the proper authorities with 24 hours. Not reporting any witnessed act of child abuse within 24 hours could lead to criminal charges.
● Mandatory reporting is defined as reporting all interactions suspected as cases of misconduct as a way to protect individuals and to prevent misconduct and abuse from happening.
● Reporting suspicion or disclosure of abuse to authorities is mandatory within 24 hours of acknowledgment of the situation. No matter if you are sure whether or not the allegation is true, you must always make the report so that precautionary measures can be taken to protect the victim and keep them safe. When reporting suspicion or disclosure of abuse, be prepared to provide authorities with as much information as you can.
● The league does not tolerate any retaliation against “good faith” reports of child abuse
● Reporting abuse in FL can be done through the abuse Hotline 1-800-962-2873 or online at https://reportabuse.myflfamilies.com/s/ . Reports may be made anonymously.
● Additional details on FL requirements for abuse reporting can be viewed at https://www.littleleague.org/player-safety/child-protection-program/state-specific-informationchild-abuse/.
Concession Stand Procedures:
● Signs will be posted regarding hand washing
● Signs will be posted regarding first aid kits
● A listing of all important phone numbers, including board members will be posted
● 3-5 bags of ice will be ready in the freezer for injuries
● Operating procedures for safe handling will be posted
● The league safety officer will meet with concession manager to confirm the above conditions at the start of each season.
Field and Equipment:
● Managers are to regularly inspect equipment and update as needed.
● Managers are to walk field to observe for any hazards prior to games and practices and report any issues to the league president immediately.
● All equipment in the storage closet will be inspected at the beginning of each sea