Safety Code
The Fairfax Little League Safety Code has been adopted by the Board of Directors and is enforced by the Director of Safety, the three League's Presidents, the three League's Directors of Minors, the Director of T-Ball, and the Challenger Director. All league officers, participants, employees and volunteers are required to abide by this code.

It is the job of the Director of Safety to make any revisions to the Safety Code from year to year, as necessary. Fairfax Little League Safety Code

• Responsibility for Safety procedures should be that of an adult member of Fairfax 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.
• 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, head first 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 may not warm up pitchers before or during a game.
• On-deck batters are not permitted (except in the Juniors Division)
• All pre-game warmups 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.)

Injury Reporting Procedures
The following reporting procedures should be used by all managers, coaches, parents, umpires, and volunteers concerning injuries.

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 Director of Safety. The terms "medical treatment and/or first aid" should include even passive treatments such as the evaluation and diagnosis of the extent of the injury. Any incident that (a) causes a player to miss any practice or game time; or (b) any event that has the potential to require medical assistance must be reported promptly.

When to report - All such incidents described above must be reported to the Director of Safety within 48 hours of the incident. The Director of Safety for 2002 is Ed Potter, and he can be reached at the following:

                                               
                                              (H) 703-978-9226
                                              (C) 703-283-8333
                                               Email: epotter@cox.net

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 (or of their parents)
• 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 individual reporting the incident.

Director of Safety's Responsibilities - The Director of Safety will receive this injury report and will enter it into the league's safety database. Withing 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; and (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 Fairfax Little League's insurance coverages and the provisions for submitting any claims for reimbursement.

If the extent of the injuries are more than minor in nature, the Director of Safety 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 "closed" (i.e., no further claims are expected and/or the individual is participating in the league again).

General Health
Physical Exams - With regard to the general health of its participants, Fairfax Little League includes the following wording in its Registration Booklet:

"While physical exams are not required by league policy, National Little League strongly recommends that participants be in good general health. If your child has a physical impairment that the league should be aware of, PLEASE note the information on the registration form, and contact your leagues' Player Agent. Items such as allergies, eye problems, diabetes, etc., will be kept confidential, except that your child's manager and coach will be aware of any potential problem."

Medical Approval and Release - Although not required, the Medical Approval and Release form is provided to all managers. This form contains vital information regarding the child's current general health, the child's doctor's name, address, and phone number, and any other special medical considerations (i.e. allergies, etc.). Managers are strongly encouraged to obtain a completed Release for each of the players on their team and is instructed to have these forms with them for every practice and game.

Communicable Disease Procedures - While the risk of one participant infecting another with HIV/AIDS during league activities is small, there is a remote risk other blood borne infectious disease can be transmitted. Procedures for reducing the potential for transmission of infectious agents should include, but not limited to the following:

• Bleeding must be stopped, the open wound covered and if there is any excess amount of blood on the uniform, it must be changed before an athlete may participate.
• Routine use of gloves or other precautions to prevent skin and mucous membrane exposure when contact with blood or other body fluids is anticipated.
• Immediately wash hands and other skin surfaces if contaminated (in contact) with blood or other body fluids. Wash hands immediately after removing gloves.
• Clean all blood contaminated surfaces and equipment with a solution made from a proper dilution of household bleach or other disinfectant before competition resumes.
• Practice proper disposal procedures to prevent injuries caused by needles and other sharp instruments or devices.
• Although saliva has not been implicated in HIV transmission, to minimize the need for emergency mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, or other ventilation devices should be available for use.
• Managers, coaches, umpires, and volunteers with bleeding or oozing skin should refrain from all direct athletic care until condition is resolved.
• Contaminated towels should be disposed of or disinfected properly.
• Follow acceptable guidelines in the immediate control of bleeding and when handling bloody dressings and other articles containing body fluids.

Copies of the Code of Conduct, the Safety Code, and the Manager's Expectations are provided to each manager. It is expected that the manager provide each member of his or her team with a copy of each of these. The Code of Conduct and the Safety Code were listed previously in this document. The Manager's Expectations can be found below ...  

Manager's Expectations

What Do I Expect from My Players?

• to be on time for all practices and games.
• to always do their best whether in the field or on the bench.
• to be cooperative at all times and share team duties.
• to respect not only others, but themselves as well.
• to be positive with teammates at all times.
• to try not to become upset at their own mistakes or those of others ... we will all make our share this year and we must support one another.
• to understand that winning is only important if you can accept losing, as both are important parts of any sport.

What Can You and Your Child Expect from Me?

• to be on time for all practices and games.
• to be as fair as possible in giving playing time to all players.
• to do my best to teach the fundamentals of the game.
• to be positive and respect each child as an individual.
• to set reasonable expectations for each child and for the season.
• to teach the players the value of winning and losing.
• to be open to ideas, suggestions or help.
• to never holler at any member of my team, the opposing team or umpires. Any confrontation will be handled in a respectful, quiet and individual manner.

What Do I Expect from You as Parents and Family?

• to come out and enjoy the game. Cheer to make all players feel important.
• to allow me to coach and run the team.
• to try not to question my leadership. All players will make mistakes and so will I.
• do not holler at me, the players or the umpires. We are all responsible for setting examples for our children. We must be the role models in society today. If we eliminate negative comments, the children will have an opportunity to play without any unnecessary pressures and will learn the value of sportsmanship.
• if you wish to question my strategies or leadership, please do not do so in front of the players or fans. My phone number will be available for you to call at any time if you have a concern. It will also be available if you wish to offer your services at practice. A helping hand is always welcome.

Finally, don't expect the majority of children playing Little League baseball to have strong skills. We hear all our lives that we learn from our mistakes. Let's allow them to make their mistakes, but always be there with positive support to lift their spirits!

Lightning Evacuation Procedures

• Stop Game/Practice.
• Stay away from metal fencing (including dugouts) !!
• Do not hold a metal bat.
• Walk, don't run to car and wait for a decision on whether or not to continue the game or practice.

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.

Don't ...