Safety

WEST UNIVERSITY LITTLE LEAGUE SAFETY PLAN 

Emergency Numbers: 

EMT, Police, Fire 911
West University Police (713) 668-0330
West University Fire Department (713) 662-5835
Southside Place Police and Fire (713) 668-2341
Bellaire Police (713) 668-0487
Texas Children's Hospital - Emergency Center (713) 770-5454
Houston Methodist Hospital - Emergency Dept. (713) 790-3311
Memorial Hermann Hospital – Emergency Center (713) 704-4000  

League Officials:
President, Hank Fuselier
Auxiliary President, Christine Parker
Secretary, David Dunwoody
Treasurer, Spencer Stasney
Safety Director, Alex Somers  

Accident/Incident Reporting
Accident forms are located in the Concession stand and are also available for download here and are to be completed within 48 hours of incident. All completed forms are forwarded to Safety Director for follow up and review.    

Security 

There will be an off-duty police officer working for us during the regular season games at the West University Elementary School Complex and South Campus complex. They are available to assist the Greenhats with any safety or security concerns.   

West University Little League Safety Code 

Our Goals are Education and Prevention

  1. No games or practices should be held when weather or field conditions are not good, or when lighting is inadequate. 
  2. Inspect play area frequently for holes, damage, glass, or other foreign objects. 
  3. Only players, managers, coaches, and umpires are permitted on the playing field during games. 
  4. Inspect equipment regularly and make sure if fits properly.
  5. Catchers must wear catcher's helmet, mask, throat protector, shin guards, long model chest protector, and protective cup (boys), at all times. 
  6. Headfirst sliding is prohibited, except when a runner is returning to a base. 
  7. "Horse play" is not permitted on the playing field at any time. 
  8. Catchers must wear a catcher's helmet and mask with throat protector when warming up pitchers. This applies between innings and in the bullpen. 
  9. Managers/coaches must have their issued first-aid kit at each practice and game. 
  10. Team warm ups, pitching, and catching are to be supervised by a team manager, coach or an approved parent volunteer. 
West University Little League season is committed to safety. The purpose of this Manual is to advise managers and coaches in proper first aid procedure. Players and parent will be actively involved in the league safety training and prevention program, too. With proper information, the league hopes to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. With all of us working together, our players will be safer. The League will distribute a paper copy of this Manual to all Managers/Coaches, league volunteers and the District Administrator, as required.   

West University Little League Emergency Safety Procedures 

 BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR ORIGINAL MEDICAL RELEASE FORMS WITH TEAM AT ALL TIMES 

In case of medical emergency: 

  1. Give first aid and have someone call "911" immediately if an ambulance or emergency treatment is necessary (e.g., severe injury, neck or head injury, not breathing- err on the side of caution). 
  2. Notify parents immediately, if they are not at the scene. 
  3. Notify league Safety Director by phone within 24 hours. (See last page of safety manual for details) 
  4. Fill out a West University Little League Incident Safety Report Form and hand deliver it per the instructions on the form. One can be picked up at the dugout, or can be printed off of the website here. 
  5. Talk to your team about the situation if it involves them. Often, players are upset and worried when another player is injured. They need to feel safe and understand why the injury occurred. 
  6. Talk to anyone in West University Little League you feel will be helpful (i.e., League Safety Director, President of the league, Green Hat, etc.) 
  7. West University Little League insurance is supplementary to your own insurance policy. Claims must be filed with the League Safety Director.    

REMEMBER:  Safety is everyone's job.  Prevention is the key to reducing accidents to a minimum.  Report all hazardous conditions to a West University Little League board member (Greenhat) immediately.  

Do not play on a field that is not safe or with unsafe playing equipment. Be sure that your players are fully equipped at all times, especially catchers and batters. Check your team’s equipment often.   

Field Safety Checklist 

The following checklist should be reviewed and/or completed periodically. All umpires, managers and coaches are responsible for noting field safety conditions.   Before The Game Umpires and Coaches meet at plate 

  1. Introduce plate umpire, base umpires, managers and coaches. 
  2. Receive official lineup cards from each team.  
  3. Discuss any local playing rules 
  4. Inspect playing field for unsafe conditions. 
  5. Discuss legal pitching motions or balks. 
  6. Get two game balls from home team. 
  7. Be sure players are not wearing jewelry or metallic objects. 
  8. Be sure players are in full uniform shirts tucked in and hats on.       
TEN COMMANDMENTS OF SAFETY
  1. Be alert!
  2. Check playing field for hazards 
  3. Wear proper equipment 
  4. Ensure equipment is in good shape 
  5. Ensure first aid is available 
  6. Maintain control of the situation 
  7. Maintain discipline 
  8. Safety is a team sport 
  9. Be organized 
  10. Have fun! 
 During The Game Umpires and Coaches:  
  1. Encourage coaches to help speed play by having catchers and players on the bench prepared and ready to take field with two outs. 
  2. Make sure all players are wearing the proper equipment. 
  3. Encourage everyone to think, "Safety First". 
  4. Continue to monitor field for safety and playability. 
  5. Pitchers warming up in foul territory must have a spotter and catcher with helmet, chest protector and glove. 
  6. Keep game moving - eight pitches or one minute to warm up the pitcher between innings. 
  7. Make the calls loud and clear, signaling each call properly. 
  8. Umpires should be in position to make the call. 
  9. No arguing about any call made by the umpire, especially judgment calls. 
  10. Managers are responsible for keeping their fans on their best behavior.  
 Communicable Disease Procedure 

 While risk of one athlete infecting another with HIV/AIDS during competition is close to non-existent, there is a remote risk that other blood-borne infectious diseases can be transmitted. Procedures for reducing the potential for transmission of infectious agents should include but not be limited to the following: 

  1.  Bleeding must be stopped, the open wound covered, and, if there is an excessive amount of blood on the uniform, it must be changed before the athlete may participate. 
  2. Routine use of gloves or other precautions to prevent skin and mucous membrane exposure, when contact with blood or other body fluids in anticipated. 
  3. Immediately wash hands and other skin surfaces if contaminated (in contact) with blood or other body fluids. Wash hands immediately after removing gloves. 
  4. Clean all blood-contaminated surfaces and equipment with a solution made from a proper dilution of household bleach (CDC recommends 1-100) or other disinfectant before competition resumes. 
  5. Practice proper disposal procedures to prevent injuries caused by needles, scalpels, and other sharp instruments or devices. 
  6. 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. 
  7. Managers, coaches, or volunteers with bleeding or oozing skin should refrain from all direct athletic care until condition resolves. 
  8. Contaminated towels should be disposed of/disinfected properly. 
  9. Follow acceptable guidelines in the immediate control of bleeding and when handling bloody dressings, mouth guards, and other articles containing body fluids.