Little League® Baseball and Softball
WSLL Coaches PresentationMarch 16 & 23, 2017
Why We’re Here
Little League International:
“to promote, develop, supervise, and voluntarily assist in all lawful
ways, the interest of those who will participate in Little League
Baseball and Softball.”
West Side Little League:
“Through proper guidance and exemplary leadership, West Side
assists youth in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline,
teamwork and physical well-being. By espousing the virtues of
character, courage and loyalty, our baseball and softball programs
are designed to develop superior citizens rather than superior
athletes.”
West Side Little LeagueExecutive Board of Directors
Executive Board Members
President – David Reinheimer ([email protected])
V.P. Baseball – Robin Culp ([email protected])
V.P. Softball – Scott Yaw ([email protected])
V.P. Challenger – Andy Thompson ([email protected])
Player Agent – Steve Sirchio ([email protected])
Treasurer – Rob Grim ([email protected])
Secretary – Tony Marzzacco ([email protected])
Safety Director – John Snyder
Definition of roles:
http://www.littleleague.org/leagueofficers/BODRoles.htm
Local League Constitution
Constitution
By-Laws/Local League Rules
• Constitution: Reviewed & approved annually by the
membership at a duly organized meeting as
provided in Article XII of the Model Constitution
• The Constitution spells out the duties and
responsibilities of the officers of the board,
definition of membership, election
procedures, meeting requirements such as
quorum, etc.
• Legally-Binding Document
Residence and School Attendance Player Eligibility Requirements
• Players who live or attend school within the boundaries of the local Little League will be eligible to play
A player will be deemed to reside within the league boundaries if:
• His/her parents are living together and reside within such league boundaries
• Either parent or court-appointed legal guardian reside within such boundaries
Little League PA District 28(32 Districts in PA)
Avon Grove
Caln
Coatesville
Downingtown
East Side
Glenmoore Eagle
Kennett
Lionville
Oxford
Twin Valley
West Bradford
West Side
WSLL Baseball Programs
Tee Ball Division – 8 teams
For girls and boys league ages 5-6
Instructional Division (“Machine Pitch”) – 9 teams
For girls and boys league ages 6, 7 & 8; Played on a 60’ diamond with a 46’ pitching
distance
Kid Pitch Division – 5 teams
For girls and boys league age 8 & 9; Played on a 60’ diamond with a 46’ pitching distance
Minors Division (“American League”) – 5 teams
For girls and boys league ages 10-12; Played on a 60’ diamond with a 46’ pitching
distance
Majors Division (“National League”) – 5 teams
For girls and boys league ages 11 – 12; Played on a 60’ diamond with a 46’ pitching
distance
Senior Division (“JV”) – 2 teams
For girls and boys league ages 13 – 15; Played on a 90’ diamond with a 60’ pitching
distance
WSLL Baseball Programs
The Challenger Division
A program for developmentally and physically challenged youth,
helping them to enjoy the full benefits of Little League participation in
an athletic environment
structured to their abilities.
More than the skills of
baseball learned through the experience, the value of the Little League
Challenger Division
is found in the proven
therapeutic and
socialization benefits of
participating in sports
WSLL Softball Programs
West Side and East Side Little League have a combined charter for girls’
softball. This means that any girl who lives or goes to school within the
boundaries for either West Side LL or East Side LL are automatically part of the
combined program.
Rookie Division – 3 teams
For players league ages 6-8; Played on a 60’ diamond with a 35’ pitching distance
Minors Division – 3 teams
For players league ages 9 & 10; Played on a 60’ diamond with a 35’ pitching distance
Majors Division – 2 teams
For players league ages 11 & 12; Played on a 60’ diamond with a 40’ pitching distance
Junior Division – 1 team
For players league ages 13 – 15; Played on a 60’ diamond with a 43’ pitching distance
Education & Training
• Coach Resource Center• Baseball and Softball• Videos and Articles• Teaching the Skills
www.LittleLeagueU.org
• Drills and Practice Plans• Team Organization• Involving Parents
Coach Behavior
• Treat our children and parents with respect• Use Positive Reinforcement• We are trying to build a lifetime love of
baseball / softball• Board reserves the right to revoke coaching
duties for any member
More information at the “Positive Coaching Alliance” website:
www.positivecoach.org
West Side Little League
Safety
ASAP Program
• Have an active Safety Officer
• Coaches register with us; Federal and PA background checks are performed
• Provide first-aid training
• Require field inspections before season
• Complete annual Facility Survey
• Use concession stand procedures
• Regularly inspect and replace equipment as needed
• Have prompt accident reporting
• Require first-aid kits at events
• Enforce all Little League Rules – important!!!
Requirements for ASAP Plan
ASAP Program
• First Aid• Coaches & Parents• Supervising Children• Safety & Equipment• Pitching• Concession Stand• Alcohol• Lightning• Safety rules you may not be aware of• What to do in the event of an incident
ASAP Program
First Aid
• A First Aid Training session is Scheduled for Sunday March 26, 7:00pm at Good Fellowship
Ambulance center
• All teams should have at least 1 representative attend
• All coaches are required to attend this first aid session once every three years
ASAP Program
First Aid
• All Managers will be provided with stocked first aid kits
• Please share! First Aid materials can be replenished
• Have your parents fill out a Medical Release form
http://westsidelittleleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/WSLL-medical-release-form.pdf
ASAP Program
What to do in the event of an injury
• Address situation immediately – apply first aid, involve parents, call 911
• Any situation where medical treatment was necessary should be reported to Safety Director, John Snyder
• Proceed with caution and common sense when a “minor” incident occurs
• If injury requires additional medical attention, an “Accident Claim Form” will be filled out by the Safety Director
• Is mandatory when using West Side’s / Little League’s supplementary insurance
http://westsidelittleleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/WSLL-accident-notification-form.pdf
ASAP Program
Little League Supplemental Insurance
The Little League Insurance Program is designed to afford protection to all participants at the most economical cost to the local league. The Little League Player Accident Policy is an excess coverage, accident only plan, to be used as a supplement to other insurance carried under a family policy or insurance provided by an employer. If there is no primary coverage, Little League insurance will provide benefits for eligible charges, up to Usual and Customary allowances for your area. A $50 deductible applies for all claims, up to the maximum stated benefits.
ASAP ProgramWSLL Fields
• Waltz Field (Home to WSLL) – 50 Waterwillow Rd, West Chester, PA 19380
• East Bradford Park (Kenmara) Fields – 835 Kenmara Dr, West Chester, PA 19380
• Copeland School Field – 666 Copeland School Rd, West Chester, PA 19380
• Peirce Middle School Field – 1314 Burke Rd, West Chester, PA 19380
• West Goshen Community Park - Fern Hill Road and N. Five Points Roads, West Chester, PA 19380
• Boot Road Park Field – 110 W Boot Rd, West Chester, PA 19380
• Stetson Middle School Fields – 1060 Wilmington Pike, West Chester, PA 19382
ASAP ProgramEmergency Phone #s
DIAL 911 IN THE EVENT OF ANY EMERGENCY
• Whiteland Township Police (610) 363-0200 (Waltz, Peirce, Boot Rd. Fields)
• East Bradford Police (610) 696-2700 (Kenmara, Copeland School Fields)
• West Goshen Police (610) 696-7400 (West Goshen Fields)
• Westtown East Goshen Township Police (610) 692-9600 (Stetson)
ASAP Program
Coaches and Parents
UmpiresRespect toward the West Side Umpires by our players, coaches, and parents is demanded(not just expected)
– Reinforce to players not everything will go their way in baseball (or life!)
– Coaches must lead the way in proper behavior towards our umpires, players, and other coaches
ASAP Program
Coaches and Parents
• No unauthorized adult is permitted in the dugout with the players (3 coaches allowed)
• Meet with your parents before the season and reinforce behavior expectation (theirs’ as well as their kids’!)
ASAP Program
Background Checks
• When you register as a coach on West Side’s website, a Federal background check is performed
• As of June, 2015, Pennsylvania requires three additional checks be performed
• PA background checks are valid for three years
ASAP Program
Background Checks
New clearance requirements for unpaid adult volunteers having direct contact with children:
1) Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
2) ChildLine (Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance through the Department of Human Services)
3) Signed disclaimer affirming no charges in other states that would prohibit selection as a volunteer (or FBI fingerprint check if not a PA resident for last 10 years)
ASAP Program
Coaches and Parents
Managers must ensure players that must use rest rooms are accompanied to the facility by that player’s parent or an authorized coach
ASAP Program
Rules for Supervising Children
Two Person Rule - managers and coaches shall avoid, to the maximum extent possible, being in a situation with players where they are the only adult.
Open Door Policy – Managers shall make it clear to parents that they are welcome to observe all team activities, within reason. However, parents and family members shall not be permitted on to fields/dugouts for safety reasons, unless assisting with activities at the manager’s specific request.
At all levels of game play if there are no other adult volunteers present the adult volunteer responsible for the team (manager or coach) must remain in the dugout or bench area at all times.
Drop-off/Pick-up Procedures - Managers should advise parents to drop their players off as close to the reporting time; Managers and coaches shall remain at the field or facility at the end of practice until the last player has been picked up.
ASAP Program
Safety and Equipment
• All League-issued equipment is inspected annually
• Boys are expected to wear protective cups
• All “Kid Pitch” baseball players must wear a mask on their batting helmet – no exceptions
• All catcher’s helmets must have a dangle throat protector• Masks are provided for softball pitchers (although not
mandatory)• Home team coach should “walk the field” before each
game/practice and inspect for hazards (if found, report to Safety Director and use common sense about using the field)
ASAP Program
Safety and Equipment
Bats
• Must be on approved list or meet guidelines:www.littleleague.org/learn/equipment/licensedcompositebats.htm
• Bats should be policed by coaches and umpires at the beginning of each game. If an illegal bat is found, remove it from play immediately!
ASAP Program
Safety and Equipment
Bats
Implementation of USABat standard begins on January 1, 2018
August 7, 2015
USA Baseball, the national governing body for the sport of baseball in the U.S., in conjunction with participating national member organizations announced today the decision to adopt a new method for measuring bat performance in the testing of youth bats…The new USA Baseball bat standard (USABat), which will apply to bats that are classified below the NCAA and NFHS level of play, will be implemented on January 1, 2018, allowing the bat manufacturers sufficient time to bring these bats to the marketplace.
ASAP Program
Safety and Equipment
ASAP Program
Baseball Pitching
• Little League International’s pitch count rules must be strictly enforced
• West Side’s “house rules” regarding 30% pitching totals must also be understood and enforced
• West Side takes the well-being of its players very seriously, and we see limiting pitching as a very concrete way to keeping young arms strong and healthy
• Talk to parents about other teams
ASAP Program
Baseball Pitching
West Side is offering a pitching clinic to its “Kid Pitch” division players and coaches. Proper pitching fundamentals will be presented to all players by former West Side (and current high school) players. All Kid Pitch players (even if they have never pitched!) and all coaches are invited.
The clinic will be broken into two Sunday afternoon sessions. The first of these scheduled session was snowed-out. If the weather will not allow these sessions to be held pre-season, two in-season dates will be picked. More info to come…
ASAP Program
Waltz Concession Stand
Please only adults in the Concession Stand –definitely no unsupervised kids!
Follow documented procedures about food preparation and safety found in the concession stand
ASAP Program
Alcohol Prohibited
All of our Township fields as well as our School District fields prohibit the consumption of alcohol on their premises (this includes parents!).
Please don’t partake if you will be coaching later that day!
ASAP Program
Lightning
Play should stop if lightning is detected within 10 miles of field; play can resume after 30 minutes of last seen lightning
All coaches should download “Little League Weatherbug” smartphone application – it’s free!
ASAP Program
Additional Safety Rules
• There is no “on-deck” swinging! Players should move from bench to batter’s box – and no swinging behind dugouts!
• No bat weights or “donuts” permitted
• Players must wear catcher’s helmet when warming up pitcher pre-game or between innings
• Head-first slides are not permitted (Majors division may dive back to a bag)
• Players may not wear any jewelry (metal or fabric) during play
ASAP Program
Following Little League Rules
It is EXTREMELY important to follow the rules, and to use approved / provided equipment, set forth by both Little League International and the Board and League Directors of West Side Little League.
The rules are established to provide a safe and inclusive environment for our boys and girls to compete. Following the rules also provides YOU and the league with indemnification.
ASAP Program
Thanks for your attention and for devoting your time and energy to the boys and girls of
our community!
Have fun and stay safe!
Please forward any comments or questions to:
David Reinheimer
ASAP ProgramAppendix – First Aid Training
• West Side Little League 2017 First Aid Training• Presented by: Tammy Johnson• Good Fellowship Ambulance Company• Sunday, March 26th, 7:00pm
• First Aid Basics – Agenda (page 1)•
• Deciding to Provide First Aid• Supplying the First Aid Kit• Assessing the Scene• Exposure to Blood• When to Phone for Help• Finding the Problem
• Medical Emergencies• General Breathing Problems• Helping with Breathing Problems• Helping a Choking Adult/Child• Allergic Reactions• Using Epinephrine Pens
• West Side Little League 2017 First Aid Training• Presented by:• Tammy Johnson• Good Fellowship Ambulance Company• Sunday, March 26th, 700pm
• First Aid Basics – Agenda (page 2)
• Injury Emergencies• Bleeding You Can See• Bandaging• Burns• Electrical Injuries• Concussions• Fractures• Sprains/Srtrains• Spinal Injuries
ASAP ProgramAppendix – First Aid Training
• West Side Little League 2016 First Aid Training
• Presented by:
• Tammy Johnson
• Good Fellowship Ambulance Company
• Sunday, April 3th, 700pm
• First Aid Basics – Agenda (page 3)
• CPR & AED
• New CPR Sequence
• Compression
• Give Breaths
• Open the Airway
• Use an AED
• Environmental Emergencies
• Bites and Stings
• Heat Cramps
• Heat Exhaustion
ASAP ProgramAppendix – First Aid Training