Safety

The league strives to make this as safe an environment as possible. Please review these!

Safety Comes First

1. Food or Other Allergies

Please be extraordinarily careful that snacks do not contain possible items that could cause an allergic reaction – not just restricted to nuts. Continually ask about this! Parents, players and coaches all share responsibility for making everyone aware of concerns about allergic reactions. Once warm weather comes, the bees and wasps are around.

2. Cars

All parents and players need to be careful of cars before and after the games. Our parking is limited and accidents are a real possibility. Doesn’t matter the age of the player – watch those cars!

3. First Aid and Minor Injuries

• The league DOES NOT supply first aid kits. Injuries should be dealt with by parents and checked by trained medical personnel. REMEMBER REPORT ALL INJURIES ( even minor ones) DIRECTLY TO THE LEAGUE c/o barrhavencs@gmail.com
• It goes without saying that 911 should be used in the case of any major safety issue. If you are interested in first aid training courses, you may want to visit somewhere like C2C First Aid Aquatics at Mississauga, Ontario or find a course more local to your area.

4. Parent Supervision

• Younger players should always have a responsible adult present at the diamond at all times. Parents should not just drop off their children and come back to get them after the game.
• No player can be left alone “waiting for their ride”. A coach must stay with them until parents or guardians arrive. Make sure that everyone has everyone else’s cell numbers.
• Our diamonds are public places where the general public is welcome to observe. We have permits for their use so WE control this interaction. People that interfere with the game or whose behaviour is troubling should be asked to leave. If they refuse, call 911.

Gameplay-Related Safety Concerns

1. Collisions Between Players

These must be avoided at all costs. Two things really help in this regard:

• The fielder is supposed to give the runner reasonable access to the base or base path. This is hard to convey at first. In the upper divisions (junior and senior) contact results in a “safe” call with a bonus base if the fielder is NOT fielding the ball. If the fielder is attempting to field the ball then the expectation is that the runner will avoid contact. In this case, contact results in the runner being out.
• Runners going home are encouraged to NOT TOUCH home plate and catchers CAN NOT touch a runner inside the commit line (one third of the way to third) and the plate. All the catcher has to do is touch the plate.

2. Hit By the Ball

Two simple rules will really reduce the chances:

• Players should be encouraged to NEVER throw to a person who is not looking at them and ready to catch the ball. The obvious statement – PAY ATTENTION!
• Players should be encouraged to assume the ready position before each pitch is thrown and to pay attention and keep your eyes open.

3. Hit By the Bat

• Maintain a safe zone around the plate and do not allow any spectator or player to enter this safe zone. This is especially so for the on deck batter. All parents can help by watching for accidents before they happen.
• Remind players constantly that they cannot “throw their bat” but must carefully place it along the first base path. Thrown bat = one team warning then OUT!