Build Your Plan

League must have an active safety officer on file with Little League International.

• Update league officers in the LL Data Center.
• List safety officer contact information in safety manual.
• Safety Officer: Local League Role

Little League Data Center

Publish & distribute safety manual to volunteers.

• All league personnel should have access to the league’s safety manual, including board members, coaches, managers, concession workers, facilities crew, etc.
• Print and distribute or post safety manual to the league’s website.
• If posted to league’s website, email link to all applicable league personnel.
• Provide a copy to District Administrator and/or District Safety Officer.

Post & distribute emergency and key officials’ phone numbers and email addresses.

• Include emergency phone numbers for police, fire department, etc. (911)
• Include league president and safety officer; consider including all board members.
• Include who to contact to track/report injuries.

Use Official Little League Volunteer Application Form

• What You Need to Know About the Little League® Volunteer Application Process
• Managers, coaches, board members, and any other persons, volunteers or hired workers, who provide regular service to the league and/or have repetitive access to or contact with players or teams must fill out application form as well as provide a government-issued photo identification card for ID verification. League should check name spellings and numbers for accuracy.
• Anyone refusing to fill out a Volunteer Application is ineligible to be a league member.
• Must conduct a nationwide background check utilizing JDP or a provider comparable to JDP in accessing background check records for sex offender registry data and other criminal records.
• For more information on Little League’s Child Protection Program and conducting background checks through JDP go to:
  • JDP Background Screening
  • Local League Background Check Information

Provide and require fundamentals training, with at least one coach or manager from each team attending (fundamentals including hitting, sliding, fielding, pitching, etc.)

• It is not necessary for first-aid and fundamentals training(s) to be held before safety manual is submitted.
• List scheduled dates/locations in safety manual and on league website.
• Training qualifies volunteer for 3 years; but one team representative still required each year.
• High school, college, or experienced league coaches can be great resources to conduct training.
• Incorporating Effective Local Training Can Prep Volunteers for a Safer, More Successful Season

Visit Little League University For More Information

Require first aid training for coaches and managers, with at least one coach or manager from each team attending.

• Incorporating Effective Local Training Can Prep Volunteers for a Safer, More Successful Season
• It is not necessary for first-aid and fundamentals training(s) to be held before safety manual is submitted.
• It is not necessary for doctors, nurses, LPN’s, and paramedics in the league to attend first-aid training. However, it is recommended that leagues utilize these professionals from their league/community to present the training.
• Other individuals who attend various outside first-aid training and courses are not exempt.

• Make information regarding concussions in youth sports a part of first-aid training:
  • Concussions in Youth Athletes

Require coaches/umpires to walk fields for hazards before practices and games.

• Improve Aptitude, Confidence with 7 Pregame To-Do’s
• Track and document any facility issues needing to be repaired.
• Use common sense: look for glass, rocks, holes, etc.
• Specify who is responsible for doing this – home coach, visitor coach, umpire or all?

Complete or update the Annual Facility Survey in the LL Data Center

• Update on the Little League Data Center annually.
• Physically review field(s) for changes and needs.
• Facility Survey must be completed or updated in the LL Data Center and cannot be attached to safety manual uploaded by league.

Written safety procedures for concession stand; concession manager trained in safe food handling/prep and procedures.

• Concession Stand Inspection Checklist
• Concession Stand Safety Tips: 12 Steps to Safe, Sanitary Food Service
• Include copy of posted concession safety procedures in safety manual.
• Even if concession stand is not league operated, they are responsible to make sure safety procedures are posted.
• Local restaurant operators are good resources for training assistance.
• Training should cover safe use, care and inspection of equipment.

Require regular inspection and replacement of equipment.

• Playing Equipment Inspection: Baseball and Softball Bats
• Playing Equipment Inspection: Batting Helmets and Catcher’s Gear
• Inspect equipment before each use by coaches/managers
• Destroy broken equipment to prevent future use.
• Recommend use form to track equipment needs

Implement prompt accident reporting, tracking procedure

• Require Accident Forms be turned into Safety Officer within 24-48 hours
• Track “near-misses” as a proactive tool to evaluate practices and avoid future injuries
• Share information on accidents and “near-misses” with district staff
• How to Handle an Injured Player, Returning to Play After Injury

Require a first-aid kit at each game and practice

• Each team must have a first-aid kit
• Local hospitals & medical supply companies are good sources
• Recommend funding through special drive

Enforce Little League rules including proper equipment

• Use the Preseason to Review Little League® Rules
• Most Little League rules have a basis in safety – follow them
• Ensure players always have required equipment including catchers warming up on the field
• Coaches and managers should enforce rules at practices as well as games
• Make sure all fields have bases that dis-engage their anchor as required by Little League rules
• Enforce rule that coaches and managers are not allowed to catch/warm-up pitchers (Rule 3.09); this includes standing at the backstop during practice as an informal catcher for batting practice.

Submit league player registration data or player roster data and coach and manager data

• Must be submitted through the Little League Data Center.
• Safety manual will not be approved until registration data has been fully submitted.
• Player Registration; Volunteer Info – What to Know

Little League Data Center

New survey questions will be posted in the Data Center as Requirement #15. Please continue to check back.