Field and Dugout Safety

It is important to remember that we want to make baseball a safe and enjoyable experience for all the young players and their families.  A bulleted list of several of the league’s policies and key rules regarding field and dugout safety follow.

• Arrangement should be made in advance for all games and practices for emergency medical services.  The phone list for police and ambulance is posted in the concession stands.  Please check with the concession stands in all situations involving safety.
• In the unfortunate event of an accident, the manager or coach must remain calm and tend to the injured player.  It is only natural for other members of the team to run to the injured player.  In order to administer proper care to the injured player, the umpire must instruct all infield players to go to the base farthest from the injured player, and outfield players to go to the field position farthest from the injured player. If warranted, the umpire will ask players to return to the dugout.
• All coaches are supplied with first aid kits.  Additional first aid supplies can be found in the concession stands.  If the first aid kit is depleted during the season, contact the Safety Officer for replacement.
• No games or practices should be held under severe weather conditions – especially lightning, or when field conditions are unsafe.  It is important for coaches and officials to be diligent in regards to playing conditions. Always err on the side of caution.
• The fields and surrounding areas will be inspected on a regular basis.  The field will be walked before each game by the umpire and home team coach/manager to look for – and to correct – any unsafe conditions (holes, broken glass, rocks, etc.).  Any fields used for practices shall be inspected for unsafe conditions by the coach/manager prior to all league practices.
• The SLP Little League facility survey is updated annually and submitted to headquarters and is kept of file.  Contact the Safety Officer or league officials for copies if necessary.
• Only the players, managers, coaches, and umpires are permitted on the playing field during games and practice sessions.
• All bats and other baseball equipment must be kept off the field of play.  Organizing equipment can prevent tripping hazards.
• Each coach should establish a procedure for retrieval of balls that are out of play.  During practice sessions and games, all players should be alert and watching the batter on each pitch.
• Coaching staff, Safety Officer, and umpires are responsible for the continuous inspection of equipment.  This applies to both league-owned and player purchased equipment.  Any unsafe equipment must be removed immediately and replaced if needed.
• The field tarps should be removed from the field of play before each game.  The tarps and sandbags should then be rolled up and stored outside the fence as close to the field as possible.