SOFTBALL SAFETY

Safety concerns should be brought to the attention of the Safety Coordinator, team staff or BHGS Board members (https://www.bhgs.net/board). These concerns will be addressed by the Safety Coordinator, and any resulting decisions, policies, or processes will be communicated to the league.

RAIN-OUTS

Check the rain status http://www.bhgs.net/rain-status for any change in schedule. Status is determined by a district representative.  If a rain day is called, no one is allowed to practice at Alta Vista (not even on blacktop)

• Weeknights check an hour before your game (or after 4:30 pm).
• Saturday check after 7:30 am in the morning (for the morning games) & then again after 10:30 am for the afternoon games. Morning games may be canceled but afternoon games may still be played.

PLAYER SAFETY

• Player should be properly equipped and gear should fit properly to protect them from injury.
• As a league we do not display the girls' names on their uniform or equipment. This includes gear bags, helmets, visors, etc. Please label uniforms and equipment with you daughter's name in a discrete location.
• No child is to be left unattended by team staff / chaperone
• ** Parent contact information required **
• We recommend picking your child up personally, not at the street
• One female must always be present during practices, games and team events, preferably the manager and chaperone.  Managers, please remember if you cannot attend a game or practice, your binder MUST be at the field during practices and games.  The binder contains all the safety information that is needed in case of an incident.
• ASA insurance covers only properly registered girls and adult staff members. This coverage is only good when there is a registered female staff member on the field.

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

• Every female adult should be a designated chaperone if possible
• No names visible on league issued equipment for safety (written discretely inside is recommended)
• With the exception of taped medic-alert bracelets, No jewelry can be worn on the field. Taping over earrings is no longer acceptable.
• Equipment must be ASA / NOCSAE certified for softball use
• Chin straps are recommended but not required
• 6U – Facemask on helmet optional but strongly recommended
• 8U/10U/12U/14U – Facemask / chin strap on helmet required
• All girls must wear their helmet if they are up to bat, or when returning to the dugout. Only after they are behind the fence can they remove their helmet.
• No bats are allowed inside the dugout, by the benches.
• Girls with long hair must have it pulled back and secured with elastic - no barrettes or other fasteners made with hard plastics or metal.
• No soda, food, gum or candy is allowed to be eaten by players while playing on the field.
• No parents, family members or friends are allowed within 20 feet of the bench.  All players not in the game must remain on the bench.
• All players must be in full uniform to play in a game.
• Never place any type of pin or decoration on any uniform or hat that may cause injury should a girl be hit with the ball.
• NEVER, NEVER move a child who during a collision or some other type of accident has become unconscious to incoherent.  Please call 911 and allow medical personnel to judge her situation. Also, contact the on-field BHGS Board Member about the situation.
• Hit-’n-Stik no longer allowed on game days, but okay during practice

INCIDENT REPORTS

• The league has ASA medical insurance to cover any injury requiring professional medical care, but we MUST have any incidents documented in writing.  Online form found: https://www.bhgs.net/incident-report
• All accidents must be reported to the safety director within 24 hours of the incident.  If the injury is serious enough that the child has to be seen by a doctor, there must be a medical release signed by the doctor before they may participate in any game or practice. THIS IS MANDATORY!!!
• Incident Reports are to be completed anytime medical attention (ice packs / first aid supplies) are required.
• The incident report form is located on the website on the Safety & Equipment page (https://www.bhgs.net/information/safety-and-equipment/). This must be filled out using the online form to ensure they are received in a timely manner.

FIRST AID KITS

• Provided to every team with equipment bags and required at every practice or game.
• Request forms for replacement supplies are included in a kit. Replacement supplies are available in the snack shack.
• 6U/8U/10U
  • first aid kits are in “fanny packs”
  • frozen sponges for ice packs in snack shack
• 12U/14U
  • first aid kits are in backpacks
  • use Instant ice packs

For any additional questions, safety concerns or issues, contact the Safety Coordinator.

SOFTBALL SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT

Equipment shortages and concerns should be brought to the attention of the Equipment Manager, team staff or another Board member. These concerns will be addressed by the Equipment Manager, with input from the Board.

Please make sure that your players are properly equipped to protect them from injury. Their gear should all fit properly. As a league we do not display the girls' names on their uniform or equipment. This includes gear bags, helmets, visors, etc. Please label uniforms and equipment with you daughter's name in a discrete location.

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

Each team is provided with a starter set of equipment, including helmets, bats, catcher's gear, and balls. If your catcher's gear does not fit your catcher(s) properly, please let us know right away. We encourage you to get your child her own helmet to avoid poor fit, and "other issues" that can happen when sharing. If you choose to purchase equipment (helmets and bats especially), please make sure it is ASA / NOCSAE certified.

The face masks are highly recommended for all players, and are mandatory in the 8U / 10U / 12U / 14U  divisions. If you have any questions, we will do our best to help. A common challenge in the 6u and 8u divisions is finding helmets that fit smaller children. Please make sure they can see out of them, and they don't spin around. If you need help locating smaller sizes, we may be able to help. In the 10u and up divisions the girls will be sliding and will need sliding under-shorts and pants (or knee pads). It is a good idea for novice players to have two knee pads (plus, they double as shin guards in the field).

• Equipment must be ASA / NOCSAE certified for softball use
• All divisions - helmets must have a chin strap
• 6U – Helmet face masks are optional but strongly recommended
• 8U/10U/12U/14U – Face mask / chin strap on helmet required
• Hit-’n-Stik no longer allowed on game days, but okay during practice