CT District 11 Tournaments: ASAP Safety Plan

Welcome to our District 11 ASAP web page. Our safety officer is Ed Charlton. Ed is available anytime to help local leagues develop and complete a safety plan and set up a program that works for your league. UnderMartin McKinneys leadership and Ed's willingness to to achieve a higher standard District 11 was able to have 100% participation from local leagues in our program this season.  If you would like to learn more about D11 ASAP program, feel free to contact: Ed Charlton at #860-923-9389 or e-mail edward.a.charlton@intel.com

In the September 2008 Issue if the ASAP News Bulletin, Thompson Little League recieved Honorable Mention again, this time under the direction of League President Dan Durand and Safety Officer Shawn Brissette. 

In the August - October 2006 ASAP News Bulletin, Thompson Little League recieved Honorable Mention under the direction of League President Edward Charlton and Safety Officer Mike Allen. Great job Thompson keep up the good work. 

What to Report - An incident that causes any player, 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 periods of rest.

When to Report - All such incidents described above must be reported to the leagues Safety Officer within 48 hours of the incident.

How to make the Report - reporting incidents can come in a variety of ways. Most typically, they are telephone conversations. At a minimum, the following information must be provided: The name, phone, date, time and location of the incident. This should be as detailed as possible on the estimation of extent of injury. The name and phone number of the person reporting the incident. Be sure to complete the Insurance Claim Form for ALL injuries and get it to the Director of Safety immediately after reporting the injury. DO NOT SEND THE FORM TO LITTLE LEAGUE. 

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 verify the information received, obtain any other information deemed necessary, check on the status of the injured (i.e., Emergency Room visit, doctor’s visit, etc.); will advise the parent or guardian of the League’s insurance coverage’s and the provisions for submitting any claims. If the extent of the injuries are more than minor in nature, the Director of Safety shall periodically call the injured party’s family to: Check on the status of any injuries, check if any other assistance is necessary in areas such as submission of 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 in the league again).  contains detailed instructions on completing the Little League Baseball Accident Notification Form. This form MUST be completed for ALL injuries, whether or not the individual requires additional medical assistance.

DO NOT SEND THE FORM INTO WILLIAMSPORT.  SEND IT TO THE LEAGUE’S SAFETY OFFICER. The League needs complete information on the form but it may not necessarily need to be sent in.  It may be an informational copy for League use only, but that will be based on the Safety Officer and Director’s review. If you have any questions on whether or not the form needs to be completed or you have problems in filling it out, contact the League Safety Officer. 

With a thunderstorm, IF YOU CAN HEAR THE THUNDER, YOU CAN BE HIT BY LIGHTNING. Once the leading edge of a thunderstorm approaches to within 10 miles, you are at immediate risk due to the possibility of lightning strokes coming from the storm’s overhanging anvil cloud. On the average, thunder can only be heard over a distance of 3 to 4 miles, depending on humidity, terrain, and other factors.  This means that by the time you hear the thunder, you are already in the risk area for lightning strikes. The ultimate truth about lightning is that it is unpredictable and cannot be prevented.  Therefore, a manager, coach or umpire who feels threatened by the approaching storm should stop play and get the kids to safety, regardless of whether or not the lightning can be seen or not, or the 15 second or less time between the flash and the sound has occurred. For the majority of participants, the best area for them to seek shelter is in a fully enclosed vehicle with the windows rolled up.  Avoid high places and open fields, isolated trees, unprotected gazebos, dugouts, flagpoles, light poles, bleachers, metal fences, and water. When in doubt, the following rule of thumb should be applied: 

WHEN YOU HEAR IT – CLEAR IT!       

WHEN YOU SEE IT – FLEE IT! 

Rain:                                                                                  

If it begins to rain:

Ø      Evaluate the strength of the rain. Is it a light drizzle or is it pouring?

Ø      Determine the direction the storm is moving.

Ø      Evaluate the playing field as it becomes more and more saturated.

Ø      Stop practice if the playing conditions become unsafe—use common sense. If playing a game, consult with the other manager and the umpire to formulate a decision. (Unless the Umpire has full control of game). 

Hot Weather: 

Ø      Precautions must be taken in order to make sure the players on the team do not dehydrate or hyperventilate.

Ø      Suggest players take drinks of water when coming on and going off the field between innings.

Ø      If a player looks distressed while standing in the hot sun, substitute that player and get him/her into the shade of the dugout ASAP.

Ø      If a player should collapse as a result of heat exhaustion, call 9-1-1 immediately. Get the player to drink water and use the instant ice bags supplied in your First –Aid kit to cool him/her down until the emergency medical team arrives.

Ø      Watch out for catchers, remember they have protective gear that would make it easier for them to show signs of heat exhaustion. We recommend you rotate your catchers.