Preseason Duties
Familiarize yourself with the Emergency First Aid Kit. It will be your job to regularly check the Kit and replenish used materials. Have ice available at all practices and games and/or purchase ice packs (available at Sport Mart, Rite Aid, and other pharmacies).
Inspect the following items of equipment:
Batting Helmets: Be certain the batting helmets are not broken and that you have the correct sizes for all players. Helmets may not be painted or altered except to add protective face guards. Protective face guards may be purchased from a sport store and are either plastic or metal. These face guards may be used by individual players (your own son or daughter) or your entire team. Discuss with your coach about the use of these protective face guards. Little League has no official policy about the use of face guards. They are optional.
Catcher’s Helmet: Inspect the catcher’s helmet. Be certain it is not broken and that the throat protector is securely attached. Catchers may not use their mask unless the throat protector is attached.
Other Catcher’s Equipment: Check that the buckles on the shin guards and the snaps on the chest protector are working. Boy catchers are required to have a protective cup.
Shoes: Remind all parents/guardians that only rubber cleated baseball shoes are permitted. Metal cleats are not allowed.
Fields
Become familiar with the location and directions to both practice and game fields. Be certain each parent has directions to all fields so players can be transported safely. At each field inspect the playing field, dugouts, and adjacent areas. Inspect the field for holes, glass, and foreign objects. Make sure chain link fence wire is safe. Keep dugouts clean, and free of debris. Are younger children playing adjacent to the field in harms way? Work with both your coach and umpire to identify any problems so hazards can be corrected.
Emergency Telephone
A reminder that public telephones have a distinct advantage over cellular telephones. That advantage is that when you dial 911, the emergency operator knows the location of the telephone you are using. That is not the case with the cellular telephone. Because the 911 call goes to the California Highway Patrol, you must be able to explain to the emergency operator the location of your field. In addition, cellular telephone users claim the response time can be delayed. As the safety parent, you will want to know the location of the nearest public telephone. Despite the possible drawbacks to cellular telephone use, you may want to know which parent has a cellular telephone and have one available at each practice and game. To report a broken public telephone, call (510) 238-7700.
Practice and Game Conduct
Serious injury can occur while practicing or playing baseball. If there is an injury, two adults are needed: one to stay with the victim and the other to call or go for help. Therefore, when a parent drops off a player for a practice or game be sure that two adults are present before you leave. This is especially true for Reservoir and Montera fields. Both are isolated from street traffic. Work with your coach to insure that practices and pre-game drills are being conducted safely. For example:
Are players who are playing catch of comparable ability? Are the players "testing" each other’s ability to determine how hard to throw the ball?
Are the players lined up so that an overthrown ball will not injure another player?
Are players swinging the bat adequately distanced from other players? Remind your coach to give extra attention and training to players whose lack of coordination or experience might make them susceptible to injury.
At the end of a practice or game, remind the last remaining adult that no child may be left alone. Every child must be picked up by a parent/guardian. Remind children of "Stranger Danger", i.e. children should not accept a ride from a stranger.
Accidents
Any accident that is a serious injury or that requires medical attention must be reported by filling out an Accident Report. The report forms are available from your coach. Become familiar with this report before an accident occurs, so you will know what information is necessary to complete the form.
NOLL/SOLL is concerned that your child plays baseball in a safe environment. If you have a safety issue, please contact your coach or division coordinator.
