Safety Manual

Note:  The GRBA subscribes to the codes, policies, and guidelines outlined in this Safety Manual.  However, it cannot anticipate all situations that may lead to a safety issue.  Accordingly, consistent with the Release provided in the GRBA registration form, parents assume all risk to their children while engaged in GRBA activities.

Introduction

The Glen Rock Baseball Association’s Safety Manual was introduced with the goal of increasing awareness, through education and information, of the opportunities to provide a safer environment for all participants in GRBA’s baseball and softball programs.  This manual is a tool to place important safety information at every manager’s and coach’s finger tips and through them or through the GRBA’s website to parents/guardians.

Important Phone Numbers

Glen Rock Police -

Emergency 911

Non-emergency 201-652-3800

The GRBA Safety Committee:

Director of Safety: Michael Stewart

President:  Rob Famularo

Providing a safe environment for GRBA activities is the responsibility of all participants.  The responsibility for implementing safety procedures falls on the adult members of GRBA.  However, each manager, coach, adult and Junior League umpire, parent/guardian, player, and spectator must adhere to the following GRBA safety procedures.

General

All managers and named coaches must be Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y certified as set forth in the attached letter from the GRBA President.
All managers, coaches, umpires, parents/guardians, players, and spectators must adhere to the attached GRBA Policy Against Abuse and Violence in Sports Activities.
Managers, coaches, and adult paid umpires should have training in first aid. Attendance by managers, named coaches, and parents/guardians at first aid style clinics offered by GRBA is strongly encouraged. At a minimum, each manager and coach should be familiar with the attached “dos and don’ts” list when dealing with injuries. Managers, coaches, and umpires should be familiar with the proper use of the first aid supplies provided by GRBA. Small first-aid kits are provided to all managers; bigger first aid kits are located in the field boxes.

 Specific  

 

No games or practices should be held when weather or field conditions are not good, particularly when lighting is inadequate, or lightning is imminent or present. At the first sign of lightning:
Game/practice must stop immediately.
Managers/coaches should instruct everyone to stay away from metal fencing and benches and not to hold metal bats.
Managers/coaches should instruct their players to walk to a car and wait for a decision on whether or not to continue the game or practice. Decision to suspend or resume a game will be made by the managers/coaches or, if there is an adult paid umpire, by the umpire.
Each League has adopted rules as to when games must be suspended due to darkness.
Play area should be inspected frequently for holes, damage, stones, glass, and other foreign objects.  Report all problems to the applicable League Commissioner or GRBA’s  Director of Fields.
Only managers, coaches, umpires, and players are permitted on the playing field or on the benches during games and practice.
Procedures should be established for keeping bats and loose equipment off the field of play.
Foul balls batted out of playing area should be retrieved in a controlled and safe manner.
During practice 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 wild throws or missed catches.
All pre-game warm-ups (i.e., playing catch, pepper, etc.) must be performed in a controlled manner within the confines of the playing field or, in the case of bat swinging, in the safety cages, where available, and not within areas that are frequented by spectators.
Equipment provided to managers and in the field boxes should be inspected regularly to determine its condition and proper fit.  Remove damaged equipment from play and report this to the applicable League Commissioner.
Batters must wear NOSCAE-approved protective helmets while batting and on deck during games and practices. Each field box has been stocked with a helmet with a face mask and with chinstraps. Managers and coaches are strongly encouraged to have their players utilize these.
Catchers must wear NOSCAE-approved catcher’s helmet, mask (with throat protector), shin guards, long model chest protector, and protective cup with athletic supporter (supporters and cups for girls are available) while catching in  games and practices.  Catchers equipment should be adjusted for proper fit from player to player. Catchers must wear catcher’s helmet and mask (with throat protector) when warming up pitchers.  NO EXCEPTIONS.  Managers are strongly encouraged to have all other players wear protective cups and supporters for games and practices.
Baseball bats for all Leagues (except Senior League) must bear the “Little League” logo.  Softball bats must bear the Little League or the Amateur Softball Association logo. No bat used in the Senior Leagues may weigh more than 7 ounces less than its length in inches, and in the Pony Leagues weigh more than 9 ounces less than its length in inches. In order to comply with standards GRBA anticipates will then be in effect, starting in 2004, no bat used in the Senior Leagues may weigh more than 3 ounces less than its length in inches and the maximum permitted diameter for a baseball bat used in the Senior Leagues will be 2 ¾ inches (2 ¼ inches will remain the maximum permitted in all other Leagues).
Only the balls provided managers may be used in games or practices.
No player is to be left behind without a manager, coach, or that player’s parent/guardian after a practice or game or during an evacuation.
Except when a runner is returning to a base, headfirst slides are not permitted.
Bases should not be strapped down or anchored, and double “safety” bases must be used in T-ball and all PeeWee and Junior Leagues during games and practices.
At no time should “horse play” be permitted during games or practices on the playing field or the benches. Managers are strongly encouraged to have a bench coach to help maintain order.
Parents of players who wear glasses should be encouraged to provide “safety glasses.”
Mouthpieces are recommended for all players. They are strongly recommended for all players wearing braces or other dental apparatus.
Players may not wear watches, rings, pins, or metallic items during games or practices.
Field boxes must remain closed during games or practices.
Managers, coaches, players, and spectators may not stand behind the home plate area.
On-deck batters are not permitted except where safety cages are available or, if safety cages are not available, in the Pony and Senior Leagues only, behind the backstop.
Any injury to a manager, coach, player, umpire or spectator resulting in medical intervention must be reported to the Director of Safety following the attached procedure.
Any manager, coach, umpire or player who is bleeding or who has blood on their uniform must discontinue further participation in a game or practice until appropriate treatment can be administered. If, during a game medical care or treatment is administered in a reasonable period of time, the individual need not leave.

REQUIRED MANAGER/COACHES CERTIFICATIONS 

 

As you may know, New Jersey Law 2A:62A-60 (“The Little League Law”) was created to protect volunteer youth sports coaches from personal exposure to liability law suits.  To be protected by the law, coaches must participate in a “safety orientation and training skills program.”  GRBA feels that it is in the best interests of the children and our volunteer managers for the managers and named coaches to attend such a course.

In addition, GRBA’s own insurance carrier requires that all managers and named coaches be safety certified.

For these reasons, GRBA requires all managers and named coaches who have not already done so to attend the Rutgers Safety Course, which is being offered on the first Thursday of each month at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood in the evening.  (Note:  the course is also available on a different night at other locations.  Call Rutgers directly at 732-932-7178 for additional information.)  The course, entitled “Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic – Sports Awareness for Educating Today’s Youth” covers a variety of excellent topics, including legal and psychological aspects of coaching; training and conditioning; and first aid.  Coaches completing the course will receive an information packet and a certification card.  Their names will be permanently entered into the Rutgers YSRC databank.  The certification does not expire and is good for all sports.  Most Glen Rock Sports organizations require this certification.

Contact the GRBA for upcoming course dates.

ALL COACHES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF ATTENDANCE AT THE COURSE.

Advance Registration is Required.  The Valley Hospital Auditorium holds approximately 250 people.  Call 1-800-825-5391 in advance to register.    Valley Hospital’s website also has information on the course.

The following is a summary of the program:

Volunteer Coaches

The Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic

Sports Awareness for Educating Today’s Youth

Introduction

On May 12, 1986, New Jersey became the first state in the nation to pass legislation which protects volunteer athletic coaches, managers, and officials from lawsuits. Commonly referred to as the “Little League Law” (2A:62A-6 et. seq.), this legislation extends partial civil immunity to volunteers who have attended a “safety orientation and training skills program.”

Since 1986, the Youth Sports Research Council, in cooperation with the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association (NJRPA) has trained more than 140,000 volunteer coaches in New Jersey.

 

Objectives

In accordance with the stipulations in the Little League Law, the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic:

bullet helps coaches minimize the risk of injury to young athletes
bullet provides information about fundamental coaching concepts which enhances volunteer coaches’ effectiveness
bullet protects volunteer coaches from civil lawsuits

Topics

The curriculum for the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic is based upon the Minimum Standards for Volunteer Coaches’ Safety Orientation and Training Skills Programs (N.J.A.C. 5:52).

The topics include:

bullet Legal Aspects of Coaching
bullet Psychological Aspects of Coaching
bullet General Coaching Concepts
bullet Training and Conditioning Athletes
bullet Medical/First Aid Aspects of Coaching

Highlights

Individuals attending the Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic receive:

bullet Way to Go, Coach! (pp. 200) custom edition text
bullet The Coaches’ Reference Manual (3rd edition)
bullet The Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic Certification Card
bullet The Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic Patch
bullet Permanent registration with YSRC (.3 CEU)

GRBA POLICY AGAINST ABUSE AND VIOLENCE IN SPORTS ACTIVITIES

It is GRBA policy that all association participants — players, parents, coaches, umpires, spectators and administrators — have a right to a safe and fun experience, free from abuse (physical, emotional and sexual) and violence, in all association activities.

While the GRBA fully endorses this policy, it is the responsibility of each individual manager, coach, player, parent, spectator and umpire to adhere to it.  The GRBA will not be responsible for an individual’s or individuals’ behavior in violation of this policy.

Abusive behavior that will not be tolerated encompass any of the following:

Emotional Abuse:  calling people names, making fun of someone, cursing, putting down someone, harassing – saying things that hurt someone’s feelings, scaring, intimidating, bullying or threatening them.

Physical Abuse:  hitting, kicking, slapping or shaking – doing things to hurt someone’s body that is not part of the sport.

Sexual Abuse:  forcing or tricking someone into sexual touch or sexual contact – being forced or tricked into being touched or touching the private parts of someone’s body.

Violations of this policy may lead to the expulsion of a team manager, coach, parent, umpire, player or administrator from all GRBA functions.  All reported alleged violations will be handled in a fair and discreet manner.

Complaints procedure - All complaints should be submitted as soon as possible to the league commissioner.  The involved parties have a right to a meeting upon request with the league commissioner, the respective program (baseball or softball) Vice President, and a GRBA board member appointed by the President.  A decision on appropriate action, if any, by this committee is binding.

 

Injuries:  Some Important Do’s and Don’ts For Managers/Coaches 

Do …

bullet Reassure and provide appropriate aid to children who are injured or frightened.
bullet Arrange for professional medical attention for those who require it.
bullet Know your limitations.
bullet Make sure the first-aid kit provided to you, and the one in the field box, is available at all games and practices.  Call your Commissioner if the field box kit needs replenishment.
bullet Make arrangements to have a cellular phone available when your game or practice is at a facility that does not have any public phones.

 Don’t … 

bullet Administer any medications.  
bullet Provide any food or beverages (other than water). 
bullet Hesitate in providing appropriate level of aid when needed. 
bullet Be afraid to ask for help when providing aid. 
bullet Transport injured individuals except in extreme emergencies. 
bullet Leave an unattended child at a practice or game. 
bullet Hesitate to report any actual or potential safety hazards to your Commissioner immediately.

Injury Reporting Procedure

What to report - An incident that causes any players, manager/coach, umpire, or volunteer to receive medical treatment and/or first-aid must be reported to the Director of Safety.  This includes even passive treatments such as the evaluation and diagnosis of the extent of the injury or period of rest.

When to report - All such incidents described above must be reported to the League Commissioner within 48 hours of the incident, who will in turn notify the GRBA Director of Safety.

How to make the report - reporting incidents can come in a variety of forms.  Most typically they are telephone conversations.  At a minimum, the following information must be provided:

The name and number of the individual involved
The date, time, and location of the incident
As detailed a description of the incident as possible
The preliminary estimation of the extent of injuries
The name and phone number of the person reporting the incident.

Attached is a form for your use.

Director of Safety’s Responsibilities - Within 48 hours of receiving the incident report, the Director of Safety will contact the injured party or the party’s parents and (1) verify the information received; (2) obtain any other information deemed necessary; (3) check on the status of the injured party; and (4) in the event that the injured party required other medical treatment (i.e., Emergency Room visit, doctor’s visit, etc.) will advise the parent or guardian of the GRBA’s insurance coverage and the provisions for submitting any claims.

If the extent of the injuries is more than minor in nature, the Director of Safety shall periodically call the injured party to:  (1) check on the status of the injuries; and, (2) check if any other assistance is necessary in areas such as submitting insurance forms, etc. until such time as the incident is considered “closed” (i.e., no further claims are expected and/or the individual is participating again).

 

To file an injury report go to the Injury Report page.