Introduction

According to Little Leagues website, “From those humble beginnings,

Little League Baseball has become the world’s largest organized youth sports

program. In the space of just six decades, Little League grew from three teams to

nearly 200,000 teams, in all 50 U.S. states and more than 80

countries.”(HISTORY OF LITTLE LEAGUE) The baseball division consists of

Tee-Ball, Minor League baseball division (ages 7-11), 9-10 year old baseball

division, Little League Baseball Major division (ages 10-12), Intermediate (50/70)

Baseball division (ages 11-13), Junior League baseball division (ages 12-14),

Senior League baseball division (ages 13-16), and the Big League baseball

division (ages 15-18). (DIVISIONS OF PLAY)

Typical risks include a batter getting hit by a pitch, or even the pitcher

getting hit by a line drive. Both of these are the most common type of risk, but

there are a few more. People who are watching the games are to sit behind

home plate, and also are known to stand on the side next to left and right field.

Due to this common choice, the spectators are to be aware at all times incase a

foul ball is to occur. According to an online pediatrics journal, “The term “Little

League elbow” refers to medial elbow pain attributable to throwing by skeletally

immature athletes. Pitchers are most likely to be affected by this condition, but it

can occur in other positions associated with frequent and forceful throwing.”(Risk

of Injury From Baseball and Softball in Children) In order to protect the pitchers

arm, there is a limit of how many pitches may be thrown. Most leagues

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recommend no more than 200 pitches per week, or 90 pitches per outing, but it

depends on the age of the individual. (Risk of Injury From Baseball and Softball

in Children) There has always been a concern for baseball players who slide

headfirst. According to the pediatrics online journal, “The avoidance of head-first

sliding and the use of softer balls should be considered. For children younger

than 10 years, there have been anecdotal reports of rare but serious cervical

spine injuries occurring when a player slides head-first, hitting an opponent with

the top of the helmet.” (Risk of Injury From Baseball and Softball in Children)

According to the same article, “This injury is similar to that caused by spearing

(using the head as the lead object) in football. Such sliding should be banned for

players younger than 10 years.” (Risk of Injury From Baseball and Softball in

Children)

Safety Risks

According to the Little League website, their mission statement is “Little

League Baseball, Incorporated is a non-profit organization whose mission is to

"promote, develop, supervise, and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways, the interest

of those who will participate in Little League Baseball and Softball." (THE

MISSION OF LITTLE LEAGUE)

The following equipment is what’s needed to play baseball: baseball bat,

proper fitted glove, batting helmet, cup for protection, baseball cleats, sliding

pants, and baseball pants. All of the equipment listed above may be purchased

at any local sporting goods store. Regular safety check that commonly occurs

are maintaining the field and making sure the turf is properly cut. Also, making

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sure the field is not too wet has always been a priority. If there were rain in the

forecast coaches have to keep the parents up to date and check the field on a

practice or game day so they can ensure its safe enough to use. According to

Little League.org, lightning safety is a priority. In this article, it says, “When the

thunder that Little Leaguers hear is not the roar of the crowd, it is time to get

inside, because lightning may be close behind. That’s why the NOAA National

Weather Service is teaming up with Little League Baseball and Softball to

provide valuable life-saving information regarding the dangers of lightning.”

(Lightning Safety, 2015) The league requires background checks to be

completed by every coaching instructor and those who assist the coach for

practices and games. Coaches are not permitted to go through training for the

skills that are found within the sport, but have to be aware of the safety

precautions that must be expressed in any given emergency. An accident

notification form, which is provided in step 4, allows doctors and any emergency

service official to be given accurate information.

Special Risks

There are many injuries that can occur while playing little league. On the

Little League website, there are many helpful forms to view about safety. The

Play It Safe form is available to view online and gives a better understanding and

appreciation of making Little League a safe activity. The website doesn’t list the

possible injuries that may occur, but the following injuries can possibly happen at

a moments notice. Head injuries may occur any moment due to the batter,

pitcher or any other defenders being hit by the ball. Participants have the

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possibility to get into a collision, which can cause a head, arm, leg, neck, or back

injury. It’s important to note that equipment is to be used to help prevent the

injury, but it doesn’t guarantee participants are immune to getting injured.

Incident/ Accident Reporting

It’s important to know that the required protective equipment to play does

not prevent all injuries players may receive while participating in baseball/softball.

(Little League) There is an accidental claim form to fill out incase an injury were

to occur. According to the claim form, “If injuries occur, initially it is necessary to

determine whether claimant’s parents/guardians or the claimant has other

insurance such as group, employer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, etc., which pays

benefits. (This information should be obtained at the time of registration prior to

tryouts.) If such coverage is provided, the claim must be filed first with the

primary company under which the parent/guardian or claimant is insured.” (Little

League) Below is an accident notification form that shows what the parents, if the

claimant is under 19 years of age, have to fill out.

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Emergency Action Plan

The next four images represent an emergency plan for Hometown Little

League. This plan provides a lists of emergency numbers, emergency

procedures, and also a site map incase anyone would require the location of first

aid, field emergency, restrooms, exits, and concessions.

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Travel Policy

The travel policy is not only written for those who play travel ball, but for all

participants. There has to be a waiver fill out if someone who isn’t their parent or

guardian provides a participant with transportation to and from games/practices.

The waiver may be filled out at any time during or before the season, but must be

completed before the child receives transportation from someone who isn’t his or

her legal guardian. Coaches are required to stay alert and be sure their

participants receive a ride from their parent/legal guardian. These rules and

regulations are set for the safety of the participants. This waiver is to be filled out

to prevent a possible lawsuit being filed against the person transporting the

participant.

Instruction and Supervision

There must be a few rules and guidelines set in place before anyone is

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given the authority to instruct and supervise the children of Little League. All

coaches and assistants to the coach must go through a background check before

being able to instruct his or her participants. Before leading the first practice,

instructors are given a set of rules and regulation to ensure their participants are

provided with a safe environment. The supervisor is the league-leading official

who is responsible for observing and evaluating instructors and participants

during league events. Supervisors will be making appearances to random events

to observe and ensure all precautions are being met. This includes making sure

all safety regulations are being met. Also, supervisors are to make evaluations of

all instructors. These evaluations are a recording from the observations

supervisors make as he or she visits the event sites. The evaluations are kept as

a record incase an incident involving the instructor were to occur. At the end of

each regular season, the supervisors tell the instructors if they are allowed to

return next season as a coach. There is a level of fairness included and teams

are selected by a lottery. For example, think of how the NBA, MLB, and NFL

select their draft picks. This keeps teams from being unbalanced because the

best players are more than likely to be selected right away. There are multiple

rounds in the draft, and teams select one player per round. Lastly, it is important

for training programs to be approved by the supervisor. Training programs can

be too tough for a certain age group, so supervisors must be able to determine

whether it’s safe or unsafe. This is to ensure the safety of all participants while at

practice and during a game. Performing a training program that is considered

unsafe may result in an injury.

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METHODS TO REDUCE ABUSE AND MOLESTATION

CLAIMS

There are rules and guidelines to follow incase there were to be any form

of abuse towards the children. According to Little Leagues online website, “For

more than a decade, Little League has led the way among youth sports

organizations in assisting local leagues to keep child sex offenders out of the

program.” (LITTLE LEAGUE GUIDELINES ON REPORTING ABUSE) Every little

league baseball program performs mandatory background checks on the adults

who participate. This includes coaches, umpires, and the adults who run the

program. According to A Parent’s Guide to the Little League Child Protection

Program, “Generally, a person involved in a local Little League program should

not put himself or herself in a one-on-one situation involving a child who is not

their own.” (LITTLE LEAGUE GUIDELINES ON REPORTING ABUSE) A good

tip is for the parent/guardian to stay and watch the practice is he or she is at least

a little uncomfortable with leaving their child with the coach. It’s important to

notice if anything is bothering your child. According to A Parent’s Guide to the

Little League Child Protection Program, “Some of these symptoms may be

present in a child who has been or is being sexually abused, when such

symptoms are not otherwise explainable: sudden mood swings, excessive crying,

withdrawal, nightmares, bed-wetting, rebellious behavior, fear of particular people

or places, infantile behavior, aggressive behavior, and physical signs such as

pain, itch, bleeding, fluid or rawness in private areas.” (LITTLE LEAGUE

GUIDELINES ON REPORTING ABUSE)

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EMPLOYMENT GUIDELINES

Those who are active Little League baseball are not paid employees, but

are considered volunteers. All coaching staff and parent volunteers are not paid,

but coaches are recommended to know at least some knowledge about baseball.

All coaches are required to pass a background check in order to participate.

Those who wish to be a coach must also complete a coaching certification.

Umpires must also go through a background check to ensure the safety of the

children and spectators. Those who wish to become an umpire must first be

certified, and are also given the rules and regulations incase any speculations

occur during games. Lastly, umpires are paid individuals who receive a stipend

per game. The image below shows what the Little League Volunteer Application

form looks like. Volunteers are able to sign up as a League Official, Coach,

Umpire, Field Maintenance, Manager, Scorekeeper, and Concession Stand.

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Participant Agreement Form and/or Parent Guardian Waiver

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References

ACCIDENT NOTIFICATION FORM. (2015). Retrieved from

http://www.littleleague.org/Assets/forms_pubs/asap/Section3-

Commonsense-Safety.pdf

Developing an Emergency Plan. (2015). Retrieved from

http://www.littleleague.org/Assets/forms_pubs/asap/Emergency_Plan.pdf

DIVISIONS OF PLAY. (2015). Retrieved from

http://www.littleleague.org/learn/about/divisions.htm

HISTORY OF LITTLE LEAGUE. (2015). Retrieved from

http://www.littleleague.org/learn/about/historyandmission.htm

Lightning Safety. (2015). Retrieved from

http://www.littleleague.org/learn/programs/asap/lightning.htm

Little League. (2015). ACCIDENT NOTIFICATION FORM. Retrieved from

http://www.littleleague.org/Asset161580.aspx

Little League. (2015). Little League® Baseball & Softball CLAIM FORM

INSTRUCTIONS. Retrieved from

http://www.littleleague.org/Assets/forms_pubs/asap/AccidentClaimFormIn

structions.pdf

LITTLE LEAGUE GUIDELINES ON REPORTING ABUSE. (2015). Retrieved

from

http://www.littleleague.org/learn/rules/positionstatements/LLGuidelinesRep

ortingAbuse.htm

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Little League Volunteer Application. (2015). Retrieved from

http://www.littleleague.org/Assets/forms_pubs/VolunteerApplication16.pdf

Player registration form. (2015). Retrieved from

http://www.littleleague.org/assets/forms_pubs/player_registrationform.pdf

Risk of Injury From Baseball and Softball in Children. (2015). Pediatrics, 107(4).

Retrieved from http://www.littleleague.org/learn/about/divisions.htm

THE MISSION OF LITTLE LEAGUE. (2015). Retrieved from

http://www.littleleague.org/learn/about/historyandmission/mission.htm

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