The 2003 season was the first season of mandatory background checking. Rutherford Little League, always paid close attention to this, but in 2003 we implemented the use of the official adult membership application and performed a background check on all individuals wishing to participate. A new application must be completed yearly and a background search will be done a yearly basis.

We took this one step further due to the large number of volunteers after all application requirements were fulfilled, in conjunction with the Rutherford police department we issued picture ID’s, all parents were advised that if someone did not have the ID visible they should report it to a league official immediately. For 2004 we purchased our own equipment to provide the picture ID’s and we have now made different styles of ID cards, making it even easier to identify persons and who and where they belong we will remain diligent in this task. In 2007 Little League Baseball has now made it mandatory to do a nationwide background check on all returning and all new applicants, we are using Choicepoint.com as suggested by Little League Baseball.

League Responsibilities

Buildings and Grounds

• Complete and submit a completed Little League Facility survey.
• Keep grass trimmed and warning track raked
• Use break-away bases on all fields.
• Maintain all padding on top fence rail
• Make sure all chemicals used on grass are non toxic
• Proper clay mixture for infield use keeping clay loose and soft by constant maintenance and moisture.
• Keep pitchers mound and home plate free of holes.
• Inspection of fields by Safety Officer daily and managers prior to games.
• Maintain a supply of tools and equipment to keep field and clubhouse in proper repair and clean. Replace or repair broken or defective equipment immediately.
• The area outside the fence must be kept free of garbage and debris. Teams at the end of games are responsible to clean up trash generated by that game so it does not build up.
• Keep all fences in good repair and on inspection list to prevent:

• Injury to players due to broken or loose fence wires
• Unauthorized persons from entering

• The clubhouse must be kept neat and clean:

• No build up of unused material and /or equipment

• Floors kept swept clean and moped on a regular basis

• Garbage containers must be emptied daily

• Rest rooms kept clean and free of excess water
• No running through clubhouse
• No bikes, roller blades in clubhouse
• No ball playing or warming players in spectator area
• Swinging bats anywhere but at home plate

• All electrical outlets in kitchen and outside building must be GFCI protected
• All outside faucets or hose type faucets must be backflow protected.

• Keep Field lighting properly maintained:

• Properly adjusted
• Lenses clean
• Aging bulbs replaced on a regular basis to insure peak performance.
• Check with light meter, prior to and throughout the season.
• Have circuit breakers, grounding and wiring checked annually.
• Keep a supply of extra bulbs in inventory, for speedy replacement of bad bulbs.
• Yearly lighting audit
• Be sure managers and coaches get a copy of safety manual yearly.
• Complete a facility survey yearly.
• Post in the clubhouse the names and phone numbers of league officials and emergency numbers.

It is also the leagues responsibility to insure all Little League rules are closely adhered to in regards to all aspects of the game, equipment and safety practices.

The only way this can be accomplished is by training all managers, coaches and umpires so they are all aware of the rules and the interpretations of the rules.

Also with parent orientation yearly and team meetings to let parents know what they should expect from the League and what the league expects from them.

A firm stance on conduct must be maintained at all times for all, you will find RLL policies on conduct and there will never be any exceptions to these policies or their penalties.

Concession Stand

The league’s auxiliary committee operates the concession stand at Rutherford Little League. The executive staff is trained through the Board of health and other visual means on health and safety procedures. It is their responsibility to ensure all placards i.e.; choking, hand washing etc. is in place. It is also their responsibility to advise the board of directors of any safety or other equipment necessary to operate a safe and healthy food establishment.

• Concession stand must be kept clean and neat constantly; wet slippery floors will undoubtedly cause accidents.
• No one under 18 years of age is ever allowed in kitchen or concession area.
• Staff must be properly trained in the use of all equipment and report faulty or defective equipment immediately.
• All refrigerators maintain a temperature 40 degrees all freezers must maintain a temperature of -10 or below
• Domestic hot water must be kept at a temperature to guarantee proper sanitation of utensils and regulated to a temperature not to exceed 110 degrees in hand washing areas to avoid a scalding hazard.
• Properly charged and rated fire extinguishers on site at all times.
• Floor must be kept clean and grease free to avoid slipping hazard.
• All soda equipment secured for safety.
• Pest control prevention on a regular basis.
• Regular inspections of facility by league and Board of Health
• Any or all spray type bottles SHALL be clearly marked with the contents.

Equipment

• Guarantee all teams have been provided with proper safety equipment for their team, including a properly stocked first aid kit.
• Keep a large inventory of all equipment on hand to replace defective or worn equipment.
• Coaches must be trained to pay close attention to:

• Proper fit and adjustment condition
• Procedure to replace defective equipment

• Through training coaches, umpires and league officials must be made aware of and enforce all safety regulations in the Little League Rules and the common sense rules a few examples follow:

• Cup for male catchers
• Dangling throat protector
• Proper helmets
• Jewelry (except medical alerts)
• Extended chest protector

Paying close attention to these types of details could certainly circumvent an accident.

• Managers and coaches must know that any equipment purchased by parents must be inspected by a league official to assure compliance
• A definite plan for replacement of equipment so faulty equipment is expeditiously replaced.
• AAA minor league ages 9-12 must use RIF 10 ball
• AA minor league ages 7-8 must use RIF 5 ball
• T-Ball league to use Safe Tee ball
• T-Ball no bats allowed other than bat issued by league

Equipment Replacement Plan

Major league:

At the end of every season every team shall inventory all equipment and file equipment inventory report with the League Equipment Officer (Paul Bayse) this must be done by no later than September 30. The report, which can be found in the end of this publication with all the other, RLL forms must be filled out accurately so that we can begin to put the equipment order together for the following year.

During the regular season the equipment people will replace any equipment that needs replacement on as needed basis. You must turn in the old piece if possible to receive a new one.

Minor and T-Ball Leagues at the end of each season the equipment people will inventory and repair or replace any worn out or defective equipment.

The 2006 season the league will begin Bat replacement to conform with the new rule pertaining to bats in 2007. The league will replace all bats in the minor leagues to conform to that rule. And in 2007 will be replacing all major league team bats with bats of BPF 1.15 or less

Safety Training

Unlike many other leagues in our area RLL has always required certification for all new members since 1990 and always required that our coaches be recertified every 2 years no exceptions. Any coach failing to meet these standards will not be permitted to coach until they are in compliance Outlined below are the methods this may be accomplished.

This training in essence makes every coach on every team a safety officer all coaches are required to be aware of safety issues and take care of it if they can or report it to the League immediately if they are not able to take care of the problem.

Facilitators: Doc Mariano Certified Sports Physician and Chiropractor also a Rutherford Little League Manger for 30 years

Baseball fundamentals and League Polices concerning Safety: Walt Mager member of Rutherford Little League for 14 years and League President for 13 years.

Legal aspects: usually Jim Mc Carthy Esq. to explain the Coach’s Immunity Act of NJ.

Emergency Management: yearly we use either Capt. George Egbert of the RPD or a member of the ambulance squad to explain emergency evacuation and other related emergency issues.

Training

Safety issues and fundamental training as well as practice organization, First Aid are discussed with many different types of presentations at every Meeting.

• All new volunteers and a member from all coaching staffs must attend a 3 hour minimum safety certification seminar consisting of the following:

• A lecture by a certified sports physician explaining the following:
• Possible injuries caused by overuse, stress or fatigue
• Methods of detection for lay people to recognize these type of injuries
• Simple tests to aide in decision of removing a player from a game or practice after a minor injury.
• Video presentation of baseball type injuries how they happen and first aid until help arrives.
• Video and instruction on baseball fundamentals :warm –up ,drills, hitting, baserunning etc.
• Video presentation to instruct new coaches on the proper coaching techniques.
• Safety lecture comprised of the following issues:
• Field inspection prior to and during game
• Proper equipment, fit and replacement policy
• Proper procedure during an emergency, keep people away make decision to call or not call an ambulance, if in doubt call
• Quality practice time without horseplay, disciplined teams perform safer and have more fun.
• Dismissing players never to strangers or leave them alone waiting, if you have a doubt bring player to clubhouse and we will take care of it.
• Leagues rest room policy for t-ball and minor leagues never allow players to go to rest rooms alone if their parent is not available than have two (2) adults accompany that player

Previously Certified Coaches

Option 1

Rutherford Little League has meetings monthly on the fourth Thursday. Each of these meetings has a training segment usually 15 to 30 minutes covering areas of concern or issues interesting or related to youth or baseball. The topics covered to date in 2005 are as follows:

Continuing education will be a part of every meeting the schedule for the 2007season is on the last page of this Safety Plan we also at times have guest speakers on many subjects of interest.

All Coaches from all teams are required to attend these training sessions, attendance will be taken and coaches not fulfilling this requirement will not be permitted to coach or help in any way till the continuing education is completed.

Option 2

Attend the three-hour certification course.

All Rutherford Little League coaches and managers are required to maintain this training every two (2) years or their ability to coach will be interrupted until this requirement is met.

Coaches’ Responsibilities

• Follow all Little League rules and safety rules the league sets forth. These rules are almost always concerning issues of safety.
• Keep an accurate count on pitches thrown in the game. Strongly discourage the use of breaking pitches.
• Always walk the field prior to any game or practice looking for any debris, foreign objects, or any other hazard.
• Keep team disciplined and organized
• Keep equipment clean and maintained
• Report all accidents immediately to the league on the accident /incident form supplied.
• Make sure you always have available to you ice, first aid kit and communications if emergency help is necessary.

• Pay attention to weather conditions if there is ever a doubt regarding safety the game must be called immediately do not ever risk it. If you stop the game due to lightning do not resume unless it has been 30 minutes since the last bolt.

• Make parents aware of all safety measures we take to give their child a safe environment to play in.
• Medical history forms 1 copy for you to keep and 1 copy for the leagues files.
• Every coach’s major responsibility is to the player, providing that player with a pleasant and safe Little League experience.

• Responsibility for Safety procedures should be that of an adult member of Rutherford Little League.
• Arrangements should be made in advance of all games and practices for emergency medical services Managers, coaches, and umpires should have training in first-aid. First-aid kits are issued to each team manager and are located at each concession stand.
• No games or practices should be held when weather or field conditions are not good, particularly when lighting is inadequate.
• Play area should be inspected frequently for holes, damage, stones, glass and other foreign objects.
• All team equipment should be stored within the team dugout, or behind screens, and not within the area defined by the umpires as "in play".
• Only players, managers, coaches, and umpires are permitted on the playing field or in the dugout during games and practice sessions.
• Responsibility for keeping bats and loose equipment off the field of play should be that of a player assigned for this purpose or the team’s manager and coaches.
• Procedure should be established for retrieving foul balls batted out of playing area.
• 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 should be performed within the confines of the playing field and not within areas that are frequented by, and thus endanger spectators (i.e., playing catch, pepper, swinging bats, etc.)
• Equipment should be inspected regularly for the condition of the equipment as well as for proper fit.
• Batters must wear Little League approved protective helmets during batting practice and games.
• Catcher must wear catcher’s helmet, mask, throat guard, long model chest protector, shin guards and protective cup with athletic supporter at all times (males) for all practices and games. NO EXCEPTIONS. Managers should encourage all male players to wear protective cups and supporters for practices and games.
• Except when runner is returning to a base, headfirst slides are not permitted.
• During sliding practice, bases should not be strapped down or anchored.
• 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"
• Player must not wear watches, rings, pins or metallic items during games and practices.
• The Catcher must wear catcher’s helmet and mask with a throat guard in warming up pitchers. This applies between innings and in the bull-pen during a game and also during practices
• Managers and Coaches shall not warm up pitchers before or during a game.
• On-deck batters are not permitted (except in Juniors Division).

See a need to add to the safety code?

Contact: or use the suggestion box located in the clubhouse locker room or just, talk to any Board member.

Some Important Do’s and Don’ts

Do...

• Reassure and aid children who are injured, frightened, or lost
• Provide, or assist in obtaining, medical attention for those who require it.
• Know your limitations.
• Carry your first-aid kit to all games and practices
• Keep your "Prevention and Emergency Management of Little League Baseball and Softball Injuries" booklet with your first-aid kit.
• Assist those who require medical attention - and when administering aid, remember to:

• LOOK for signs of injury (Blood, Black-and-blue deformity of joint etc.).
• LISTEN to the injured describe what happened and what hurts if conscious. Before questioning, you may have to calm and soothe an excited child.
• FEEL gently and carefully the injured area for signs of swelling, or grating of broken bone. Have your players’ Medical Clearance Forms with you at all games and practices.

• Make arrangements to have a cellular phone available when your game or practice is at a facility that does not have any public phones.

• Administer any medications
• Provide any food or beverages (other than water)
• Hesitate in giving aid when needed
• Be afraid to ask for help if you’re not sure of the proper procedures (i.e., CPR, etc.)
• Transport injured individuals except in extreme emergencies
• Leave an unattended child at a practice or game
• Hesitate to report any present or potential safety hazard to the Safety Officer immediately.

These numbers are all posted on the bulletin boards at both entrances of the clubhouse.

If anyone has a suggestion how to better the safety of our players please put your suggestion in the suggestion box in the clubhouse, on the equipment room door.

Rutherford Little League

Code of Conduct

• Speed Limit 5 mph in roadways and parking lots while attending any Rutherford Little League function. Watch for small children around parked cars.
• No Alcohol allowed in any parking lot, field, or common areas within a Rutherford Little League complex.
• No Playing in parking lots at any time.
• No Playing on and around lawn equipment.
• Use Crosswalks when crossing roadways. Always be alert for traffic.
• No Profanity please.
• No Swinging Bats or throwing baseballs at any time within the walkways and common areas of a Rutherford Little League complex.
• No throwing balls against dugouts or against backstop. Catchers must be used for all batting practice sessions.
• No throwing rocks.
• No horseplay in walkways at any time.
• No climbing fences.
• No pets are permitted at Rutherford Little League games or practices.
• Only a player on the field and at bat, may swing a bat.
• Observe all posted signs. Players and spectators should be Alert at all times for Foul Balls and Errant Throws.
• During game, players must remain in the dugout area in an orderly fashion at all times.
• After each game, each team must clean up trash in dugout and around stands.
• All gates to the field must remain closed at all times. After players have entered or left the playing field, gates should be closed and secured.

Communicable Disease Procedures

1.Bleeding must be stopped, the open wound covered, and the uniform changed if there is blood on it before the athlete may continue.

2.Routinely a use glove to prevent mucous membrane exposure when contact with blood or other body fluids is anticipated (provided in first-aid kit).

3.Immediately wash hands and other skin surface if contaminated with blood.

4.Clean all blood contaminated surfaces and equipment.

5.Managers, coaches, and volunteers with open wounds should refrain from all direct contact until the condition is resolved.

6.Follow accepted guidelines in the immediate control of bleeding and disposal when handling bloody dressings, mouth guards and other articles containing body fluids.

Accident/Incident Reporting Procedure

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 Safety Officer. 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 Safety Officer within 48 hours of the incident. The Safety Officer for 2007 is Bob Simone, and he can be reached at the following: (201) 935-0763

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 phone 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 any injuries
• The name and phone number of the person reporting the incident.

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
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 Rutherford Little 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 Safety Officer shall periodically call the injured party to (1) check on the status of any injuries, and (2) to check if any other assistance is necessary in areas such as submission of insurance forms, etc. until such time as the incident is considered "close" (i.e., no further claims are expected and/or the individual is participating in the league again).

Summary

The preceding pages have outlined a league safety plan that will be vigorously enforced and maintained. This plan along with a detailed Facility survey is submitted to Little league Baseball as well for their approval as an adequate program to protect the players, staff and spectators.

Note: As well as in this publication all phone numbers of the Board of Directors are posted on the bulletin boards in the clubhouse both front and rear. Additional numbers you may need are also listed, including District 5 Administrator Steve Petricca, Eastern Region Hdqtrs. and Little League Baseball Williamsport.

2007 Training Schedule

• January 25 - Introduction to new rules for 2007 Pitch Count and Background checks baseball fundamentals: [proper warm ups and other techniques]

Lecture and discussion

At least one manager or coach from each team

Little League Clubhouse

• February 22 – Safety and first aid during practice and games.

Lecture by Certified Sports Physician

At least one manager or coach from each team

Little League Clubhouse

• March 22- Proper inspection techniques and procedures how to spot equipment that is beginning to fail. Demonstration showing proper fit and condition of all safety equipment.

At least one manager or coach from each team

Little League Clubhouse

• April 24- New coach’s training this covers first aid , coaching skills, introduction to baseball techniques, legal aspects of coaching.
• April 26 - League Safety officer on issues noted during opening week and other areas of concern.

Where & What time

Tamblyn Field Civic Center Tues.. April 24 & Thurs. April 26 from 7:00 pm -10:00pm . Due to the nature of this course no one will be admitted after 7:30 and there are no early dismissals anyone who leaves early will not receive a certificate of completion

• May 24 Video and power point presentation on first aid with special attention to hot weather related problems.

At least one manager or coach from each team

Little League Clubhouse