Parent's Manual
2.0 Safety
Safety takes first priority at all North Stars activities. Safety for players, coaches, and bystanders as well. To that end, NSBC has published a formal safety policy that we intend to follow to the letter. Pertinent portions of that policy are printed below.
As a parent, you can take an important part in assuring that NSBC activities are conducted in the safest manner possible. In fact, there are some portions of our safety policy and procedures that ONLY a parent can implement and enforce. Those portions are outlined and repeated more than once in this document, and it is really important that all parents understand them and follow their recommendations.
2.1 Safety Policy
NSBC is committed to playing baseball in the
safest practical manner. We do
that by:
Keeping our practice and game fields in acceptable condition.
Avoiding weather conditions that might constitute a hazard, especially lightning.
Using the right safety equipment.
Training our coaches and players how to play the game with safety in mind.
Being prepared for injury or accident, in case something does happen.
In pursuit of our safety goals, NSBC has instituted the following Safety Code, and Code of Conduct. There are also formal Reporting Procedures, which are not repeated in this Parent’s Manual, because the steps they require are normally the responsibility of team coaches to follow. Steps for practical implementation of this policy appear in the Safety section of the NSBC Coaching Manual.
2.2 Safety Code
All NSBC team managers and coaches receive First-Aid training. A first-aid kit is furnished to each team at the beginning of each new season.
No child except properly registered players may participate in any phase of NSBC baseball, and no registered player may participate until NSBC receives a fully executed and signed Medical Release Form from his parents or legal guardian.
No games or practices shall be held when there is lightning around, or darkness is imminent.
Players who become ill, injured or ejected shall be kept under the supervision of a team adult until released to a parent or guardian.
Game and practice areas shall be inspected frequently to assure there are no hazardous materials lying around that could cause injury to the players or adults.
Players may not wear watches, rings, pins or any kind of jewelry or metallic objects while on the field of play. Exception - Medical Alert tags, which must be taped down.
All male players from the Rookie division and higher must wear an athletic supporter for all practices and games. Catchers must wear a cup. THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS REQUIREMENT IS A PARENT RESPONSIBILITY.
Parents whose players wear glasses should provide those players with safety glasses. THIS IS A PARENT RESPONSIBILITY.
Team equipment and bat racks should be kept in dugouts within the designated areas.
Only players, managers, coaches, umpires, NSBC Board members and others specifically authorized by the Club shall be on the field during practices and games.
Pre-game warm-ups shall be conducted on the field, not within areas frequented by spectators.
Equipment shall be inspected frequently for damage, and repairs promptly effected when they are required to assure player safety.
All batters and base-runners must wear helmets furnished or approved by NSBC until they are back in the dugout.
Catchers must wear a catcher’s helmet incorporating an approved face mask and throat protector, a long-model chest protector, shin guards, protective supporter and cup at all times while performing the duties of a catcher on or off the field. Wrist protectors are optional.
Any player who warms up or catches for a practicing, active or relief pitcher must wear a mask with throat protector at all times. This applies both in practices and games.
Headfirst slides into any base are prohibited.
During sliding practices, bases should not be strapped or anchored down.
At no time is “horse play” permitted during practices or games.
In the Majors division and below, there shall be no on-deck batter. During games and practices, no player shall handle a bat until it is his time to bat.
2.3
Code of Conduct
No alcoholic beverage, tobacco, profanity or aggressive behavior is allowed in any parking lot, field or common area associated with an NSBC activity.
Harassment and/or verbal abuse of an umpire, player or coach, by any adult or player at an NSBC game will not be tolerated. The NSBC Board of Directors will consider action against any person so accused.
During games, all idle players will stay in their dugout and show sportsmanlike behavior.
Disrespect directed towards NSBC, its players, coaches, umpires and officials, the opposing team, or the opposing organization is unacceptable, and may become cause for action by the NSBC Board of Directors.
2.4 Parents are Safety Monitors
Parents are considered to be an important part of NSBC’s safety program. By watching what’s going on at practices and games, you can help assure the safety of everyone involved. Following are some specific safety tips our coaches are aware of. If you’re familiar with them too, and help us assure they get adhered to, you can be an important monitor and contributor to our safety goals.
Make yourself familiar with the NSBC Safety Policy. And all NSBC procedures concerning safety. Also, read over those few NSBC game rules that specifically address safety.
Make sure your team’s first-aid kit is always available and properly stocked. Your boy’s team was provided with the kit along with their other equipment, but some things can get used up, so check it from time to time. Players are told not to open it except with the coach’s permission.
Stay alert to possible hazards on the field. Help get rid of any glass, cans, rocks, stray equipment or other hazards that might be lying around.
Be alert to current weather conditions that might present a hazard. Especially lightning.
Make sure players go through a few warm-up and stretchy exercises before the intense activity begins. It need not be a lot, or take much time, but a little stretching of the arm and leg muscles, especially, can avoid a nagging injury later. Pitchers should warm their arms up more methodically.
Be prepared to communicate. If at all possible, bring your cell phone to every practice and game. If you don’t have one, check with other adults that may be present, before the activity starts.
Re ready to roll. Plan ahead, so you are prepared if a serious incident should occur. Know the location of the closest facility where professional help can be called in from, or to where a sick or injured person can be transported if so advised. But be familiar with the advisable limits on movement of any injured person.
Know and enforce the rules. The NSBC Operating Rules contain specific entries about safety. Be familiar with them, and make sure they are followed at all your player's games.
Don’t go on the field with your son’s team without the knowledge and permission of his coach. That goes for all spectators, even family members and well-wishers.
2.5 Lightning Facts and Procedures
There may be some controversy about the need for some of baseball’s specific safety procedures. But about lightning, there can be no controversy. Experience has amply demonstrated the danger. Lightning has caused serious injury or death to many, many persons caught in the open at the wrong time. It is NSBC’s policy to take no chances with lightning whatsoever. We will vacate the field and get our players and adults to a safe location whenever lightning appears to threaten. We do not test our courage - we move out when lightning comes even within a few miles.
Consider
the following facts:
The average lightning strike is six to eight miles long.
The average thunderstorm is six to ten miles wide, and travels at a rate of 25 miles per hour.
Once the leading edge of a thunderstorm approaches to within ten miles, you are at immediate risk from the possibility of lightning strikes coming from the storm’s overhanging clouds, even if they are not yet overhead.
By the time you can hear the thunder from an oncoming storm, you are already in the risk zone for lightning strikes.
The real truth about lightning is that it is unpredictable. Therefore, any manager, coach or parent who feels the least threatened by an approaching storm should immediately stop play, get everyone off the field, and move the kids and adults to a safe location. When in doubt - move out!
When moving off the field, do not carry metal objects like aluminum bats. Leave them on the field - we can retrieve them later.
No place is absolutely safe from lightning, but some places are safer than others. Large enclosed shelters, like substantially constructed buildings, are safer than others. When no large structure is available, the safest place available may be inside a fully enclosed metal vehicle, with the windows rolled up. But DO NOT stand on the ground with your body close to, or in contact with, the metal machine - the only safety (even though incomplete) is in being completely inside and enclosed by the vehicle’s metal structure.
When caught in the open with lightning occurring close by, get down low with your feet together. Cover your ears to help prevent hearing damage from a nearby strike. Avoid high places and open fields, isolated trees, unprotected structures like dugouts, gazebos, rain shelters or picnic shelters, flagpoles, bleachers (especially metal bleachers), metal fences and water.
Anyone who lives in lightning country is well advised to do some reading about it, and teach their kids about the life-threatening hazard it presents every spring, summer and fall. Lightning is no joke and no myth - there’s a lot of it in the Midwest, and it hits people every year.
2.6 Summary
YOU are an important part of NSBC safety. Be alert to possible safety hazards at all times, and don’t be timid about speaking to your team’s coach when you see any potential danger.
Once more, remember that parents are responsible for making sure their players wear an athletic supporter, and that catchers wear a protective cup. Coaches cannot enforce this rule.
Parents are also responsible for making sure that players who wear glasses are equipped with safety glasses.
Finally, every parent should be aware of the sheet entitled Parent Tips for Preventing Baseball and Softball Injuries. See Appendix A of this manual.
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There is a good chance you may think of things that should be added to NSBC’s safety policy and procedures. When you do, please jot them down, and give them to any NSBC Board member. Your idea could save a future accident or injury. We’re serious about safety! |