SAFETY CODE FOR LITTLE LEAGUE

• Responsibility for safety procedures should be that of an adult member of the local league.
• Arrangements should be made in advance of all games and practices for emergency medical services.
• Managers, coaches, and umpires should have some training in first-aid.  First-aid Kit should be available at the field.
• No games or practices should be held when weather or field conditions are not good, particulary when lighting is inadequate.
• Play area 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.
• Responsibility for keeping bats and loose equipment off the field of play should be that of a regular player assigned for this purpose.
• Procedure should be established for retrieving foul balls batted out of the playing area.
• 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 catcher's helmet (with face mask and throat guard), chest protector and shin guards.  Male catchers must wear long-model chest protector (divisions below Junior League), protective supporter and cup at all times.
• Except when 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.
• 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 or other metallic items.
• Catchers must wear catcher's helmet, face mask and throat guard in warming up pitchers.  This applies between innings and in bull pen 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.
• Players who are ejected, ill or injured should remain under supervision until released to the parent or guardian.
  
  

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Why Does the Catcher’s
Throat Protector Have to Dangle?
By Andy Konyar
Umpire Consultant for Little League Baseball and Softball
Article source:  www.littleleague.org

It appears that over the course of this past season [2007] that there has been a lot of confusion over Rule 1.17.  The section I am referring to is the safety requirement that all catchers MUST have a "dangling" type throat protector attached to the mask of the catcher's helmet.

We have observed catcher's helmets without any type of "dangling" throat protector, as well as throat protectors secured so tightly to the lower frame bar that they cannot move or "dangle" to protect the catcher's throat.  We have observed them secured so that the throat protector is sticking straight out at a 90-degree angle, providing no protection for the catcher's throat area.  All of these are totally unacceptable.
 
The "dangling" throat protector should be properly and securely attached so that when the catcher looks up or his/her head is tilted upward that the throat protector will be able to remain down so that the catcher's throat area has some protection.  A ball (from a foul or from a pitch in the dirt) or even a bat could possibly come up under the catcher's helmet and cause a severe injury.

To be properly attached, the “dangling” type throat protector should be securely attached from one-fourth of an inch to no more than three-fourths of an inch below the lowest bar or frame of the catchers mask.  The throat protector should swing freely and smoothly under the mask when tapped with a finger while holding the catcher's mask/helmet in the hand.

The "dangling" style throat protector is required on any and all types of catchers’ helmets/masks in all divisions of Little League Baseball and Softball.  So whether you have the standard frame, the extended frame, the hockey style, etc., the "dangling" throat protector is required.  Yes, even on the extended frame masks – because when a catcher tilts his/her head upward, the frame goes with it – exposing the throat.  That is, unless there is a properly positioned “dangling” throat protector in place. This is a mandatory safety requirement and MUST be strictly enforced at all times by managers, coaches, league officials and umpires.  There is NO reason or excuse, (and we have heard them all) for not having a properly attached "dangling" throat protector on all catcher's helmets/mask.
 
The children's safety and well being MUST always be foremost in all that we do in Little League.  It is not worth the risk.  So, PLEASE, help us to make sure that every catcher's helmet/mask in your league’s equipment (whether league-purchased or parent-purchased) has a properly attached "dangling" style throat protector to protect the children from any injury or harm.

A note for the umpires out there: It is not a requirement for the plate umpire to wear a "dangling" throat protector, but it is very strongly recommended that they do.

For more information contact:

Little League International
P.O. Box 3485
539 US Route 15 Hwy
Williamsport, PA 17701-0485
Phone: 570-326-1921
Fax: 570-326-1074

"Breakaway" Bases Mandatory 

One other great advancement towards player safety was instituted in the 2008 season.  It is now mandatory that all fields used by Little League teams have bases in place that disengage from their anchors when an adequate amount of force is applied.   When a runner slides into a disengage-able base, the pillow has the ability to release from the mat and move with the motion of the runner.  But when the disengage-able base is stepped on by a runner crossing the base, or by a fielder, it will stay in place.

A five year study conducted from 2000 to 2004 showed that 55 percent of injuries to runners occur while sliding into base, and 47 percent of all injuries to runners result in fractures.  The study concluded that, although the disengage-able bases did not prevent all sliding injuries, they can greatly reduce the number of these injuries.

Dear Little League Friends:   For more than a half-century, Little League International has maintained extensive records on injuries in Little League games and practices. These records have been used over the years to monitor trends and, when necessary, to effect positive changes in the Rules and Regulations. In many cases, these changes have eventually been adopted in other youth baseball and softball programs, as well as professional baseball. It is just one of the many aspects of Little League that sets us apart from all other youth baseball and softball programs. For the first time, Little League International has produced a comprehensive report on the history of Little League's efforts and accomplishments regarding the wellbeing of its participants and volunteers. This white paper entitled "Hits and Runs, Bumps and Bruises: Health, Safety and Injury Prevention are the Keystone of Little League" provides an extensive review of advancements in these areas. We invite you to review this important document, produced by the Little League International Communications Division. The white paper can be found at the Little League International web site by clicking on the link to the PDF below, or by pasting it into your web browser:  http://www.littleleague.org/Assets/forms_pubs/Hits_Runs_Bumps_Bruises08.pdf   Sincerely, Little League International P.O. Box 3485 539 US Route 15 Hwy Williamsport, PA  17701-0485 Phone: 570-326-1921 Fax: 570-326-1074