Participants

Leagues, Coaches, Umpires, Players, Parents and Spectators make America’s Pastime Enjoyable

Baseball and softball are fun for all ages. Do your part to reduce injuries and increase enjoyment for everyone coming to the ball field.

Safer Baseball identifies reliable advice and provides standardized tools and methods to help you make the game safer for all.

Any Sports Related Injury, Regardless of Outward Appearance, can be Serious

Leagues, Coaches, Umpires, Players, Parents and Spectators make America’s Pastime Enjoyable

Players should not hide injuries in order to keep playing. Depending on league rules, any incident causing any player, manager, coach, umpire, volunteer, parent, or spectator to receive medical treatment and/or first aid must be reported to the league for proper medical and insurance purposes.

Players should notify a coach as soon as an injury occurs. Any injury that results in a doctor’s care requires a doctor signed medical release and parent (on behalf of player) prior to participating in future practices or games.

Guidelines to Help Key Participants in their Roles to Increase Safety

Leagues, Coaches, Umpires, Players, Parents and Spectators make America’s Pastime Enjoyable

Guidelines to Help Key Participants in their Roles to Increase Safety

There are many good training and reference materials available based on your role. Besides finding the time, the challenge is wading through all the available organizations, websites, and experts to find valuable insights.

Special Alert: Spectator Caution and Lawsuits

LEAGUE

TRAINING FACILITIES

Guidelines to Help Key Participants in their Roles to Increase Safety

How can leagues create a safer environment for all.

COACH

TRAINING FACILITIES

How coaches can increase safety during practices and games.

TRAINING FACILITIES

How training facilities can increase safety.

UMPIRE

PARENT & SPECTATORS

PLAYER

How umpires can monitor a safer environment for all participants.

PLAYER

PARENT & SPECTATORS

PLAYER

How players can make the game safer for everyone.

PARENT & SPECTATORS

Parents watching a Single A practice while the coach teaches the Safer Baseball Bat Safety Program.

How parents and spectators can increase safety.

League Responsibilities

Help All Participants by Staying Organized and Prioritizing Safety

• Several major organizations govern the millions playing youth baseball and softball.Even though they play the same sport, the organizations have different guidelines for playing including different size diamonds (distance between basepaths) and distance to the pitcher’s rubber from home plate and level-specific (e.g., Majors, Minors, Tee Ball) rules.

Do your best to have all participants read and follow the guidelines for the specific league level regular, post-season, tournament, and interleague play.

• Balance skill levels and participation with an effective draft process to create a safe playing field. Baseball and softball have different age eligibility charts and pitching distances. Leagues are permitted to modify their participation levels based on the number of players registered and age groupings, but typical divisions are geared to the following (age range specifications):

Majors (9-12).
Minors: AAA (9-11), AA (8-10), A (7-9).
Developmental: Tee Ball 2 (6 & 7) & 1 (4-6).
Challenger: Players with intellectual and/or physical challenges (4 to 18; or up to 22 if still in school).

As the examples above specify, most youth-focused players are close in age when playing in the same division. Exceptions for players to “play up” or “play down” from their age group are based on demonstrated skills via tryouts and prior league play. Drafting players (AA and above) via tryouts and designating players as "Safety Risks" are essential to keep players at play levels that match their skills. Spring and “Fall Ball” seasons can be tailored to help players transition by improving their baseball skills.

• Make sure all participants fill out, sign, and comply with league rules, participation agreement, medical release, waiver, code of conduct, and refund policies. To protect the league, these policies should be clear, accessible, signed, and followed by everyone. By having an organizational constitution, parent handbook, and access to key meetings, leagues can create an open environment that welcomes participation and open communication for all.

• Getting, screening, mentoring, managing, motivating, and cultivating the next group of volunteers is essential to league management, enjoyment, and success. Creating an open, 360-degree review process for league personnel and activities is essential to properly attract and maintain a successful group of league volunteers. One measurement to a successful league is if volunteers continue after their children are no longer eligible to play. What kind of community bond are you creating?

• Create a league safety plan for all key participants to review and utilize. Are your key participants familiar with the plan or just where to find it on your website? Make sure your league effectively handles First Aid and CPR training, teaches onfield and dugout behavior, and manages emergencies (concussion, dental, heart, breathing, and other bodily injuries; weather; spectator disagreements; etc.) to provide safe participation for all. It’s ideal for every team to have a manager and a coach with recent training in these areas but it’s not always possible. It’s also helpful to assign backup responsibilities among team parents – especially designating a parent to assist with injuries since a coach will have a lot to deal during the temporary chaos.

Good Communications are Key to Success

Help All Participants by Staying Organized and Prioritizing Safety

• Baseball is a complicated. Managers need to know the basics - and commit to learn the rules - of the game. Over time, a league should create a library of resources managers and coaches can access. Help them build a binder of league rules and policies, player health, and parent contact information. Motivate all league representatives to learn the basics, key rules, and strategies based on play level. Rules specific to play level need to be available for all to review, learn, and follow.

• Umpires are the neutral arbitrator for league play. They are also human and will make mistakes – just like league officials, managers, coaches, players and parents. Make sure ALL league representatives respect the role, the many challenges umpires face, and their rulings. Disagreements should be handled through calm discussions between coaches and umpires ONLY and official channels if necessary. No onfield bickering. A missed call can erupt into chaos if order is not maintained. It also sets a horrible example for players we are grooming as the caretakers of the sport.

• Make sure league communications are prompt and professional. Clear, prompt, and open communications are essential to league success and continuity. Team managers have up to a dozen families to shepherd. Make their life easier by communicating key information as soon as possible so they can quickly channel it to parents juggling multiple schedules, rush hour traffic, and fragile player egos. The rippling effect of constant delayed and confusing communications will jeopardize league success.

• Baseball fields can have their own quirks. Do any league fields have unusual tree growth that might impact play? Are there fences, gates, dugouts, or bleachers that need to be repaired or modified? Could installing safety netting over spectator areas near home plate and the bleachers help reduce injuries from foul balls or thrown bats? Are there ways to improve access to drinking fountains and restrooms? Do local roads need traffic cones during rush hours to warn drivers about young pedestrians possibly wandering out into traffic? How about increased signage to address these and other potential issues? Proactively addressing these items will make a safer and enjoyable experience for all participants.

• Community recognition and integration is also key. Try to include and promote local officials, businesses, and nonprofits whenever possible to share in the enjoyment and success of your entire community.

Customize the Safer Baseball Safety Target and Training System for your league, by emailing Info@SaferBaseball.com with Safer Baseball STTS League Customization in the subject line.

Coach Responsibilities

Congrats Volunteer Coach. You Now Have to Guarantee College Scholarships for Every Player...

Teaching a Tee Ball Slugger the Safer Baseball Bat Safety Program.

Well...maybe not. But you have signed up for an important role filled with expectations, opportunities, and responsibilities.

• Ensure you and all key volunteers pass a league background check.

• Review your league safety plan. Participate in league approved First Aid and CPR training. Designate a parent and backup as medical lead(s) in case of injuries. Are ice/emergency packs in good condition and available at each practice/game? How far is the closest hospital or urgent care center from the fields you practice on and if you are coaching a travel team - where are the emergency facilities while at away fields? Do all parents have a team roster with contact information to facilitate communication during emergencies?

• Communicate clearly, positively and with meaning. Make sure the families you are shepherding are clear on expectations and schedules. For players, be specific on goals, expectations, and instructions. For criticism or negative news, include positives about the player to encourage them to listen more and improve. End practices and games with a brief discussion so players and parents are tied into goals, roles, and schedules. Consider a weekly email to remind and clarify league communications, reinforce a positive team vibe, and maintain an open channel with parents.

• Treat all players as individuals. Recognize each may develop differently on a physical and emotional level. Try your best to teach the game on an individual level and for the long hall.

• Focus on the physical and emotional well being of players over the desire to win. Winning can be a helpful motivator but your key priorities should be safety, teaching fundamentals, developing good sportsmanship, and motivating your players to continue with the sport.

Will Tee Ball and Single A players still want to play at AAA and Majors levels?
Do your players enjoy coming to practices and games?
What are the common characteristics of your individual players while on the field or in the dugout and how can their behavior be modified to provide safe participation for all?
You are a volunteer not a professionally certified expert on all subjects. When faced with challenges, consider talking to parents or other coaches who may have coached the player for helpful guidance.
You are a constant example and therefore very impressionable on your players, their families, and spectators. Be aware of the character traits you exhibit. If you make a mistake, admit it to show you aren't perfect and constantly put your players and league's interests first.
You are performing a very important role for your league that will provide wonderful life lessons and great memories if done right.

• The 2020 Official Little League® Baseball Rule Book includes over 200 pages of official regulations, playing rules and policies. Baseball is complicated. You need to know the basics - and commit to learn the rules - of the game. Keep a binder of league rules and policies, player health, and parent contact information at all games. Motivate players to learn the basics, key rules, and strategies based on play level.

Remember to enjoy coaching. Putting the whole "lack of pay" aspect aside, you will be truly rewarded by the impact you make on players, the friendships with families and fellow coaches, and your important role in the community.

Positive attitude. Good sportsmanship. Respect for all Umpires and Opponents

Congrats Volunteer Coach. You Now Have to Guarantee College Scholarships for Every Player...

• Organize practices to make sure they are fun and challenging for all players. Use stations and divide team into groups to keep them active. Utilize techniques and drills that are appropriate for player skill level.

• "Practice As You Play" mantra, implying practice sloppy, play sloppy, helps players keep a similar mindset. Muscle memory is also improved if players throw, field, and hit the same in practice and games. Obviously, focus on keeping activities fun, but if players are often making the same mistakes, remind them the sport and team relies on you being ready when called to action (e.g., challenging grounder, catching a foul ball, stretching a single into a double). Having a focused mindset when your number is called in practice and games helps improve performance and enjoyment.

• Warm up your players properly. Some youthful players hop out of bed ready to go but your goal is to ensure everyone is ready to play.

Baseball tends to focus on arm (especially elbow and wrist) injuries, but shoulder and hip injuries are also key concerns so make sure your warmup activities include light jogging, stretching, and dynamic movement exercises as well as short- to longer-distance throwing routines. Think “Warmup to Throw, not Throw to Warmup.”
A great way to engage players is to let them lead; have players rotate as point-person during warmup exercises.
Remember, pitcher’s arms get injured often by spending too much time on the mound and not on the sidelines building arm strength (short- and long-toss) so make sure everyone gets a well-rounded program.

• Pregame Routines. In addition to light jogging, stretching, dynamic movement exercises, and warmup toss, here are some other keys:

Agility Drills: After stretching, incorporating a quick, easy, and fun drill using cones or discs can help get them flexible and ready for action on the field.
Ground and Outfield Balls: It's not a practice, so focus on lightly hit grounders, line drives and pop-ups to get fielders ready. Keep it fun, spirited, and making good throws (other infielders to 1ST, outfielders to cutoff, etc.) is key to help easing the team into game mode.
Batting Practice: If you don't have time or a separate field to get in some live BP (four or five hits per player) before the game starts, tees, practice balls, weighted training balls, and hitting nets can be good options to help hitters focus on their specific swing keys.
Pitchers & Catchers: Warming up pitchers is key to safety and performance. How does the pitcher feel while warming up? Any twitches or soreness? Are both in tune with each other and ready to perform their roles - including controlling the flow of the game, pitcher coming down the mound for the return toss to help the catcher wearing all the gear, catcher coming out from behind the plate when players are on base, consistent throws back to the pitcher, pitcher covering home plate on passed balls.

• Mindset & Approach: Pregame pep talks are great opportunities to reinforce an item used at a recent practice, a key lesson from the last game, and to get your team in game mode. Recent pep talk research indicates having players focus on their best performance rather than beating opponents helps maintain confidence while not increasing anxiety levels. Between inning chats and dugout chatter can remind them to play for each other, constantly be aware of the situation (e.g., umpire specific strike zone, pitcher tendencies, number of outs, runners on base, what they will likely do next) to help take guesswork out of the equation and let their natural talent take over. Finally, whenever appropriate, remind them to be good sportsmen:

Always respect opponents, umpires, and the game. If issues arise, you are the only one that should talk to the umpire or opposing coaches and players.
Whenever an opponent gets injured be prepared to applaud them when they get back on their feet or walk towards the dugout.
Cheer opponents for a great defensive play. A great play made on a great hit should be celebrated by all.

• Games are more enjoyable if you've planned them to be: New and interesting developments always occur. If your team and coaches know their roles and perform them based on realistic expectations, unusual incidents can be given due focus and attention. If the dugout is chaotic, between inning warm-ups and batting orders are a mystery, you won't be able to respond well to changing circumstances - especially an injury. Develop a good routine for your players and volunteers and stick to it.

As soon as the game concludes, report any injury to your league safety officer and unusual incident to your league coordinator.

Customize the Safer Baseball Safety Target and Training System for your league or personal coaching program by emailing Info@SaferBaseball.com with Safer Baseball STTS Coach Customization in the subject line

Training Facility Responsibilities

Training Facilities Help Players & Leagues Improve Skills, Practice During Rainouts, and Focus on Of

Training Facility Hit Trax Monitor, Radar Gun

Walk into a training facility and batting cage and the first reaction may be wow! The athletes committed to improving their skills, the trainers dedicated to helping these athletes improve, and the sheer volume of activity is inspiring.

• Training facilities offer:

Indoor and outdoor training space.
Professional instruction, and products and services designed for full-scale team workouts and individualized training.
Netted batting cages, pitching machines, computerized hit tracking machines.
Pitching mounds and bullpens with radar guns.
Exercise and conditioning areas with applicable equipment.

•What is Your Facility Safety Plan.

Do all staff have First Aid and CPR training.
Who takes the lead when injuries occur?
Are ice/emergency packs in good condition and easily available?
How far is the closest hospital or urgent care center from your facility? •Do you have a one-sheet listing of the closest emergency-care facility with a map and directions to easily help a parent take their child for emergency care?

•Safety Section of your Facility Website. Do you have a special section dedicated to safety on your websiteso parents, players, and staff have a constant resource for implementing your facility safety plan.

• Warm up your players properly. Leagues, players and families come to you for your ability to increase skills, performance, conditioning, and confidence. There are several Safer Baseball product and service options for you to choose - especially the Safety Target Symbol Rubber Mat and the Expanded Home Plates that help identify strike zones, swing paths, and to match swings to "ball travel".

Customize the Safer Baseball Safety Target and Training System for your training facility or personal coaching program by emailing Info@SaferBaseball.com with Safer Baseball STTS Training Facility Customization in the subject line

COVID-19 Safety Standards and Guidelines Governed by Relevant State and Local Authorities

Training Facilities Help Players & Leagues Improve Skills, Practice During Rainouts, and Focus on Of

Training Facility Pitching Machine and Batting Cages

• Limit clinics and training sessions to a smaller number of players and coaches while allowing for ample space around all participants.

• All staff and coaches must be fully trained on COVID-19 Safety Standards and Guidelines. Cleaning and disinfecting protocols and schedules must be implemented including frequent cleaning of high touch surfaces, equipment, and bathrooms.

• All staff, coaches, and participants (players, parents/guardians) provided a packet of safety information and rules including daily at-home health and symptoms checks before heading to training facility.

• All participants:

Must be checked for symptoms, have their temperature measured with a thermometer, and report their results via an online form or email submission (depending on facility procedures) prior to arriving at the facility.
Must bring their own equipment (bat, helmet, glove, water bottle, hand sanitizer) labeled with individual’s name.
Enter the facility through the front door and preferably exit through a side door. Everyone should remain six feet apart to the greatest extent possible. Signage will be posted on safe distancing including spaced out wait areas and distance reminders marked on flooring.
Should wash their hands after entering the facility and are encouraged to hand sanitize between drill stations and coaching sessions.
Should be assigned a personal space for their equipment to safely distance from others during break periods.

• Facemasks: Must be worn at all times by coaches, staff, and parents/guardians. Players will be required to wear masks but may remove their masks during strenuous activities while safely distancing from others.

Umpire Responsibilities

Arrive early to address any unforeseen circumstances.

Pregame Managers meeting with the Umpire.

Each league has specific playing rules for each division and guidelines for its umpires. Make sure you re-familiarize yourself with the specific rules for the level of play before calling any game.

• Rely on the league Code of Conduct and standards of the sport. Avoid conflicts with managers, coaches, players, parents and other spectators. If there’s an in-game coach's challenge remain calm and consistent in your actions. If a serious issue arises, consult both team managers so they can help deal with their respective coach, player, parent or spectator. Rarely is everyone pleased when conflict arises. The league Code of Conduct will help ensure the primary goals: long-term success of the organization and the safety and enjoyment of all participants.

• As a league official, you are a key example to all participants. Arrive early. Be in uniform, properly dressed for hot or cold weather, enough water, and league contact numbers in case issues arise.

- Where the appropriate gear to protect yourself. Behind the plate make sure you have a mask with throat dangler, chest protector, shin guards, athletic cup for men, and steel-toed shoes.

- Have the necessary equipment including a plate brush, ball bag, and indicator (“counter or clicker”) to keep track of balls, strikes, and outs.

• Meet with managers prior to the game to go over ground rules and ask if any clarifications need to be made based on your field inspection or recent league-imposed guidelines – especially if those items are left to umpire judgement and interpretation:

- Time issues: Start and end times, when no new inning can begin, number of warm-up pitches, prompting batters into the box if they are moving slowly. Between inning delays can be taxing, so remind coaches:

After two outs to get catcher ready - even replace a baserunner catching the next inning if rules permit,
Send a warm-up catcher between innings if the catcher is delayed getting his gear on. Many leagues prohibit coaches as warm-up catchers so if required prepare a bench player.

- Strike Zone: This is a “hot button” item because many umpires will say the strike zone is their role, it is what they will call, and discussions about it should only occur between the umpire and team managers when disparities arise. On the surface that seems fine, but the challenge is many coaches are new to their volunteer role and may not be aware of the expanded strike zone typical in today’s game and often mandated by local leagues. Does your youth league use an expanded strike zone (EPZ; one ball inside and two balls outside the regulation 17” wide home plate, armpits to bottom of knees, etc.) to encourage aggressive hitting, build pitcher confidence, reduce pitch counts, and (open to interpretation) make for a more exciting game? The key is it’s subject to umpire judgement and interpretation (each umpire has his or her own zone). If you are meeting a manager for the first time it may be best to have a brief discussion during the manager’s pre-game meeting on the league’s use of an EPZ. The goal is to call a consistent strike zone to aid all participants and avoid disputes.

Work with managers to inspect the field.

Arrive early to address any unforeseen circumstances.

Baseball Field Pregame Preparation and Inspection

• Safe play is your primary concern. Inspect the field and correct any safety hazards immediately.

• Inspect the entire field carefully. It would be wonderful if teams and umpires could separately inspect the field before any activity that day. In practice, leagues use and many umpires call most of their games on the same fields and rush hour challenges often disrupt the best plans. Fields should be checked for low spots, holes in the fence, gaps below fences, tree limbs hanging over fences, etc., that may impact play and your rulings. If you arrive close to game time, you need to at least inspect the infield and should have key inspection issues for the rest of the field. Especially early in the season and after any significant weather, make sure to ask if the field has been checked during the manager's meeting. If the home team manager has any doubts, consider a quick jog by both squads through the outfield to check for irregularities. If you determine the field is too dangerous for play, and the game should be called due to unrepairable field, standing water on field, visible lightning, darkness, etc., consult with both managers to help them assist with your decision.

• Inspect bats and other equipment to ensure they adhere to league standards. Check batting helmets and catcher’s masks for the NOCSAE Standard emblem and make sure they will properly protect the player wearing it. Are dugout gates closed during play? Are on deck and in-the-hole batters properly and safely positioned (e.g., on deck hitters are not allowed to be in traditional on the field warm-up areas in Little League)?

• Always conduct yourself in a professional manner:

Just like a ship's commander, your calm, clear, and fair command of the field assures everyone that the most important aspect - kids enjoying playing America's pastime - will occur on this day.
Confirm who the official scorekeeper is since they are your go-to source for batting order, count, inning, number of outs, runs scored, etc. They also work in tandem with the other team's scorer to keep track of total pitches and therefore help protect every pitcher.
You control the flow of the game so make your calls clear, loud, and consistent to foster a structured game that benefits everyone. Many spectators are new to the game and can benefit tremendously from your clear calls; frequent ball, strike and out counts; and calm demeanor.
Remember, your next call is your best call! If you make a bad call you need to forget about it and focus on your next call. Everyone makes mistakes so never try to make up for a bad call by evening out the results because that’s a slippery slope on a solitary island. Instead, make your next call your best call.

As soon as the game concludes, report any safety hazards or unusual incidents to your umpire coordinator.

Field Inspection Information

Player Responsibilities

Player's Primary Responsibility is to Have Fun. Safety is a Close Second.

Player's Learn More When they Know the Goal. Help Players Understand their Important Role in Safety.

• You are playing the greatest sport. Enjoy the game and cheer for your teammates.

• Inform coaches if you are thirsty, feel dizzy, or have an injury (e.g., stretched finger, twisted ankle, sore muscle) that has occurred that day or since you were last with the team.

• Learn the rules and strategies of the game. Listen, focus and follow your coach’s instruction. Remember, your coach is helping you over the long-term whether you realize it today. If you are asked to play a different position or hit lower in the order remember your coach is considering every player on your team.

• Help whenever requested and volunteer to collect balls or equipment left on the field. Focus on what your coach is telling you and have a team-first attitude.

• Demonstrate good sportsmanship. Always respect coaches, teammates, opponents, umpires, and spectators. No vulgar language, tantrums, displays of anger, or fighting --- which could result in disciplinary actions and negatively impact your team.

• Don’t “help the umpire” by making calls (balls, strikes, foul balls, outs). Umpires have a tough job. Your coach must be the only one communicating with them. You may be an umpire one day and will learn first-hand how, unless they request assistance, umpires don’t need any help making calls.

• Adhere to ALL team guidelines. Ask your parents to notify your coach in advance if a practice or game is going to be missed. Arrive for practices and games early if possible, stay hydrated, wear helmets when required, don’t bring food into the dugout, etc.).

Player's Learn More When they Know the Goal. Help Players Understand their Important Role in Safety.

• Make sure to always wear your uniform correctly with appropriate gear including proper cleats, athletic protection (for boys), and protective equipment (elbow guards, helmet extenders, sliding shorts, etc.) if so desired. Care for league issued equipment (bats, catcher’s gear) and tell coaches if equipment is damaged or needs to be replaced.

• Be ready for action. Don’t always be the last one out of the dugout. Have your glove, hat, and sunglasses (if necessary) to take the field; and helmet, batting gloves, and protective equipment if your up to bat soon. After the third out, don’t mosey in or out of the dugout. Hustle – especially if your coach likes to have between inning pep talks.

• Stay on the field or in the dugout. Unless requested by a coach, don’t stray from the dugout or visit family and friends or encourage them to enter the dugout during practices or games. If you need to use the bathroom facilities or leave for any other reason, make sure your coach knows before you depart the dugout.

Parent Responsibilities

Parents Play a Very Important Role in Helping their Player and Team Increase Safety.

Player's Learn More When they Know the Goal. Help Players Understand their Important Role in Safety.

• Talk to your pediatrician about your child’s interest in organized sports and discuss the need for a pre-participation exam. Is there anything you should tell your coach (e.g., allergy, asthma, and ADHD medications, previous injuries, motivation tips you use) to aid in your child’s participation? Coaches are volunteers and need assistance to help each child enjoy playing, grasp coaching, and reach their potential.

• Volunteers are key to youth sports. Beyond providing snacks and drinks, ask your coach how you can volunteer a portion of your time to help the team (e.g., help with warm-ups, rake or drag fields, take photos, keep score, serve as a medical aid).

• Get Your Own Gear: Proper standard gear sizing advice here. Buying player specific equipment can get expensive, but if your child is committing to a position that requires additional gear (catcher, first base) using gear that fits their body may improve their confidence, while limiting others from breathing into their catcher’s mask over a few innings or putting the hand they wipe their nose with into your child’s first-baseman’s glove may calm your emotions. Used equipment is a great option for those that my want to try but ultimately not enjoy a position. Just be thankful your child doesn’t play hockey where families have many more germ challenges…

• Help your child:

Adhere to team guidelines (e.g., arrive for practices/games when specified so your child can participate in warm-ups, notify the coach in advance if a practice/game is going to be missed, stay positive and focused).
Be ready by having water and properly-fitted gear (i.e., uniform, rubber cleats, helmet, glove, bat, batting gloves, athletic supporter, sunglasses), sunscreen applied and a snack if necessary.
Review and learn the safety specific tips on this website. A parent’s greatest fear is their child getting injured. Share the information on this website with your child’s coaches and other parents on the team so everyone is working together to reduce injuries and increase safety.
Learn the rules and strategies of the game and how to interact more efficiently with their coaches and teammates. Adjust to different positions or hit lower in the order since coaches need to develop the entire team. Every player needs to learn how to be a great teammate!
Adjust and work through the necessary recovery and medical clearance requirements for ailments and injuries. A great safety tip is - When in doubt, sit them out. Remind your child that it’s always better to miss one practice or game than the rest of the season (especially playoffs!).

• You are your child’s chief advocate.

To avoid the risk of an overuse injury to their elbow or shoulder, and reinforce the importance of coach-player communication, parents need to assertively monitor pitch counts, innings caught, and days of rest and ensure each team your child plays on is monitoring comprehensive activity. USA Baseball and MLB Pitch Smart campaign.
If you think an opponent’s player may be outside of the specified age group, ask your own coach to inquire since the size differential can affect the safety of all players.

• Little League® Article: Answering the Questions Parents Ask

Answering the Questions Parents Ask

Player's Learn More When they Know the Goal. Help Players Understand their Important Role in Safety.

• Stay in designated areas. Parents and visitors at practices/games must remain off the field. Unless the parent or spectator has been asked by a coach to participate, cheer from the bleachers or outside the fences.

• Cheer for your child and team but refrain from derogatory comments (especially obscenities) toward the opponents and “helping the umpire” by calling play outcomes (outs, balls, and strikes). Umpires don’t respond to spectators by changing rulings or altering future calls. Let the coaches respectfully handle any interaction with umpires. Remember your actions could lead to your team being penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct and player or coach removal.

• Encourage your child to play multiple sports. Not only will they have fun identifying which sport they are most enthusiastic about, but they will develop new skills, learn from other types of coaches, prevent overuse injuries, and increase overall athleticism. If your child plays baseball throughout the year, pay special attention to a time off period where arms can be rested, and conditioning and core strength are the focus. It’s also widely believed that a player who was an overall better athlete, rather than just an above average solely-focused baseball player at 10 or 11, would make for a better player at 18 once they decided to focus on baseball. For injury prevention and overall potential, your goal should be to create athletes, not just baseball players.

• Motivate your child to continue playing sports. It’s reported up to 70% quit sports by age 13 because they don’t enjoy playing, have ineffective coaches, overbearing parents, or can’t afford to participate. Encourage your child to remain in sports to help benefit from the joy, camaraderie, skills, physical fitness, and lessons they can apply for their entire life. Baseball and softball are wonderful sports, but let your child choose “their” sport to increase their enjoyment, dedication, and success.

• Hospitals and Urgent Care Centers: Make your own emergency care and treatment decisions. Wait times can often be less at urgent care centers and might be a good option for less severe injuries.

• Talk to your dentist about options for emergency services. Games are often on evenings or weekends. Mouth injuries can be problematic. Rushing to an emergency room to possibly wait hours to be told no one is on call to properly handle a serious mouth injury only adds to the chaos. Your dentist may provide after hours contact numbers to handle emergencies if necessary. You may be able to head straight to their calmer and no wait office and get referrals for oral or maxillofacial surgeons.

• Add a soft ice pack (flexible for a specific injury rather than just the hard-plastic ones) to the family cooler just in case the team's emergency cold packs aren't functioning properly.

• Help your child learn the rules of the game: Common Little League® Rule Misconceptions: What Parents Need to Know

To order components of the Safer Baseball Safety Target and Training System for your at home coaching and reinforcement of key safety training, please email Info@SaferBaseball.com with Safer Baseball STTS Parent Customization in the subject line

What Parents Need to Know

Spectator Responsibilities

Spectators are Key to Youth Sports

ALWAYS Refrain from Derogatory Comments and Bad Behavior

• Every player enjoys hearing their family, friends, and peers cheer and support them. Seeing your family member or friend participate in baseball and softball provides significant enjoyment for you too.

• Cheer for the player, the team, and opponents: Support the player(s) regardless of their performance since they are learning how to play the game and are finding the positions they enjoy most. Coaches constantly adjust defensive positions and batting lineups to let each player develop skills and confidence. Whether they are the starting pitcher or utility outfielder, your support is key to helping EVERY player learn how to be a great teammate! Cheering opponents when they make a great defensive play adds to the enjoyment of all.

• Stay in designated areas: Spectators at practices and games must remain off the field. Unless the spectator has been asked by a coach to participate, cheer from the bleachers or outside the fences.

• If you are not a parent of a player, there are still several ways for you to support the team. The parent of the child you are supporting MUST be the conduit for how you can help the team so ask them before approaching a coach. Helping to provide snacks and drinks, assistance with warm-ups, raking or dragging fields if the coach asks, and taking photos are all helpful.

ALWAYS Refrain from Derogatory Comments and Bad Behavior

• Never use derogatory comments (especially obscenities) toward the opponents. “Helping the umpire” by calling play outcomes (outs, balls, strikes, foul balls) doesn't help. Umpires don’t respond to spectators by changing rulings or altering future calls. Let the coaches respectfully handle any interaction with umpires. Remember your actions could lead to your team being penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct and player or coach removal.

• What kind of a spectator do you want to be (and remembered as)?

Little League® Article: Don’t Let This Happen: People Give Face to the Worst in Youth Sports

Don’t Let This Happen: People Give Face to the Worst in Youth Sports

Spectator Caution and Lawsuits

Be CAUTIOUS Walking to and from the Field

Spectators not accustomed to what’s going on between the lines often meander on pedestrian paths crisscrossing ball fields like it’s a walk in the park. It’s not.

Foul balls and home runs hit hard enough to damage cars are descending on those strolling with friends (and often grandparents) oblivious to the three-inch leather wrapped projectiles that can cause significant injuries. With our litigious society, expect more warning signs to pop up in the near future.

Don’t wait! Leagues and coaches should advise all families to encourage guests to be extra cautious walking near a field.

Take “Heads Up” warnings very seriously and try to help those who have no plans to watch the game while walking by and recreating in their own way since they are even more oblivious to the potential danger.

More Litigation Coming for Youth Baseball

Be CAUTIOUS Walking to and from the Field

The Florida Bar article (linked below) points out several examples that help provide a cautionary note. As explained, Colorado and New Jersey limit their laws to professional baseball games. In contrast, Arizona and Illinois apply their laws to all baseball games. And while Illinois and New Jersey’s laws are restricted to injuries caused by baseballs or bats, Arizona’s law includes any equipment used by players. Colorado’s law is even broader — it immunizes defendants from any risk that naturally arises from watching a baseball game. While ticket purchasers relinquish rights and players and parents sign waivers, lawsuits and verdicts rewarding the injured have prevailed. Others attending travel and recreation league games - and especially those simply walking by ballfields - are in a gray area larger than the outfield.

The article has a conclusion every league and state should consider: Although a day at the ballpark normally results in nothing more serious than a sunburn, on occasion fans do get hurt. When such an injury occurs in Florida, the issue of liability must be litigated because Florida courts have never defined the duties that exist in such situations.Given the foregoing, the Florida Legislature should consider adopting a comprehensive liability regime. To be successful, such legislation will have to do three things:

Encourage prudent behavior by players, teams, stadiums, and fans;
Provide redress to injured spectators that is appropriate under the circumstances; and,
Ensure that the cost of liability insurance remains reasonable for professional, amateur, and public entities.

Florida Bar Article