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NGLL MISSION STATEMENT
The North Garland Little League baseball is a non-profit organization offering recreational baseball for boys and girls ages 4-18 in North Garland, Texas area.
Our goal is simple: "Ensure every child in our community has the opportunity to participate in organized baseball".
North Garland Little League requires all coaches to attend the Baseball Fundamentals Training.
Additionally, at least one representative from each team in each league will be required to attend the league sponsored First Aid training program.
Any team that does not participate in BOTH training programs will not be allowed to participate in league-sponsored events.
First-aid kits are issued to each team manager during the pre-season and additional kits will be located at the concession stand and at field’s No. three (3) and No. four (4) score booths.
NGLL Safety Officer:
The main responsibility of the NGLL Safety Officer is to develop and implement the League’s safety program. The NGLL Safety Officer is the link between the Board of Directors of North Garland Little League and its managers, coaches, umpires, team safety officers, players, spectators, and any other third parties on the complex in
regards to safety matters, rules and regulations.
Do not leave the field until every team member has been picked up
by a known family member or designated driver. Ø
Notify parents if their child has been injured no matter how small or
insignificant the injury is. There are no exceptions to this rule. This
protects you, Little League Baseball, Incorporated and NGLL.
Team Safety Officer (TSO):
The TSO is a:
Role model to younger children Defender of safety Liaison between the team and the NGLL Safety Officer Hero when taking safety seriously and helping prevent injuries.
Get to know the players on your team.
Ø
Talk to parents, confidentially, and inquire if their child suffers from
allergies, asthma, heart conditions, past injuries, ADD, ADHD, a
communicable disease such as hepatitis, HIV, AIDS, etc. Fill out a
medical history form on each child (see sample in appendix)
Ø
Find out if a child is taking any kind of medication.
Ø
Report your findings in a written
summary and submit it to the
NGLL Safety Officer for his/her records.
CONCUSSIONS
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain in jury that changes the way the brain normally works. A concussion is caused by bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. If an athlete reports one or more symptoms of concussion after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, s/he should be kept out of play the day of the injury and until a health care professional, experienced in evaluating for concussion, says s/he is symptom-free and it’s OK to return to play. Know the signs/symptoms of a concussion.
SIGNS OBSERVED BY COACHING STAFF
SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY ATHLETES
Appears dazed or stunned
Headache or “pressure” in head
Is confused about assignment or position
Nausea or vomiting
Forgets an instruction
Balance problems or dizziness
Is unsure of game, score, or
opponent
Double or blurry vision
Moves clumsily
Sensitivity to light
Answers questions slowly
Sensitivity to noise
Loses consciousness (even briefly)
Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
Shows mood, behavior, or personality
changes
Concentration or memory problems
Can’t recall events prior to hit or fall
Confusion
Can’t recall events after hit or fall
Just not “feeling right” or “feeling down”
CONCUSSION DANGER SIGNS
In rare cases, a dangerous blood clot may form on the brain in a person with a concussion and crowd the brain against the skull. An athlete should receive immediate medical attention if after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body s/he exhibits any of the following danger signs:
• One pupil larger than the other
• Is drowsy or cannot be awakened
• A headache that not only does not diminish, but gets worse
• Weakness, numbness, or d
ecreased coordination
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Slurred speech
. There will always be
a Board Member on site (see the telephone number list in the beginning of this manual to identify them or check the scorebooth).
3. If a player should collapse as a result of heat exhaustion, call 9-1-1 immediately. Get the player to drink water and use the instant ice bags supplied in your First-Aid Kit to cool him/her down until the emergency medical team arrives. (See section on Hydration)
NGLL SAFETY PLAN 2013
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CHILD ABUSE
Volunteers:
Volunteers are the greatest resource Little League has in aiding children’s development into leaders of tomorrow. But some potential volunteers maybe attracted to Little League to be near children for abusive reasons. Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America defines child sexual abuse as “the exploitation of a child by an older child, teen or adult for the personal gratification of the abusive individual.”
So abusing a child can take many forms, from touching to non-
touching offenses.
Child victims are usually made to feel as if they have brought the abuse upon themselves; they are made to feel guilty. For this reason, sexual abuse victims seldom disclose the victimization. Consider this: Big Broth ers/Big Sisters of America contend that for every child abuse case reported, ten more go unreported. Children need to understand that it is never their fault, and both children and adults need to know what they can do to keep it from happening. Anyone can be an abuser and it could happen anywhere. By educating parents, volunteers and children, you can help reduce the risk it will happen at North Garland Little League. Like all safety issues, prevention is the key. North Garland Little League has a three-step plan for selecting caring, competent and safe volunteers.
Interview:
Make all applicants aware of the policy that no known child-sex offender will be given access to children in the Little League Program.
Reference/Background Checks:
Make sure the information given by the applicant is corroborated by references. Criminal background checks will be completed o
n all volunteers, including NGLL Board Members, NGLL Officers, Umpires, Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and all other volunteers who have direct contact with children registered with the North Garland Little League.
NGLL SAFETY PLAN 2013
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Reporting:
In the unfortunate case that child sexual abuse is suspected, you should immediately contact the NGLL President, or a NGLL Board Member if the President is not available, to report the abuse. NGLL along with district administrators will contact the proper law enforcement agencies.
Ø
Fiction and Fact “Sex abusers are dirty old men.”
Not true. While sex abusers cut across socioeconomic levels,
educational levels and race, the average age of a sex offender has
been established at 32.
Ø
“Strangers are responsible for most of
the sexual abuse.”
Fact: an individual familiar to the victim perpetrates 80
-
85% of all sexual abuse cases in the US. Less than 20% of all abusers are strangers.
Ø
“Most sex abusers suffer from some form of serious mental illness
or psychosis.”
Not true. The actual figure is more like 10%, almost exactly the
same as the figure found in the general population of the United
States.
Ø
“Most sex abusers are homosexuals.”
Also not true. Most are heterosexual.
Ø
“Children usually lie about sexual abuse, anyway.”
In fact, children rarely lie about being sexually abused. If they
say it, don’t ignore it.
Ø
“It only happens to girls.”
While females do comprise the largest number of sexual abuse
victims, it is now believed that the number for male victims is
much higher than reported.
Investigation
NGLL will appoint an individual with significant professional background to receive and act on abuse allegations. These individuals will act in a confidential manner, and serve as the League’s liaison with the local law enforcement community. Little League volunteers should not attempt to investigate suspected abuse on their own.
NGLL SAFETY PLAN 2013
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Suspending/Termination
When an allegation of abuse is made against a Little League volunteer, it is our duty to protect the children from any possible further abuse by keeping the alleged abuser away from children in the program. If the allegations are substantiated, the next step is clear
assuring that the individual will not have any further contact with
the children in the League.
Immunity from Liability:
According to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, “Concern is often expressed over the potential for criminal or civil liability if a report of abuse is subsequently found to be unsubstantiated.” However, we want adults and Little Leaguers to understand that they shouldn’t be afraid to come forward in these cases, even if it isn’t required and
even if there is a possibility of being wrong. All states provide immunity from liability to those who report suspected child abuse in “good faith.” At the same time, there are also rules in place to protect adults who prove to have been inappropriately accused.
Make Our Position Clear
Make adults and kids aware that Little League Baseball and NGLL will not tolerate child abuse, in any form.
The Buddy System:
It is an old maxim, but it is true: There is safety in numbers. Encourage kids to move about in a group of two or more children of similar age, whether an adult is present or not. This includes travel, leaving the field, or using the restroom areas. It is far more difficult to victimize a child if they are not alone
This is from the North Garland Little League. They are doing the right things to keep kids safe. Garland Soccer has nothing in place to keep kids safe or deal with serious issues. I tried to implement policies and procedures like this in Garland Soccer and our corrupt president, David Arciniega, blocked any action even after Garland had had kids raped and harmed. The City of Garland should require all its city sponsored programs to have these policies in place. Garland Soccer is rolling out the red carpet for sex offenders and not doing what is necessary to run a safe program. David Arciniega has destroyed Garland Soccer.