Download SMOKEY MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION MEDICAL AND

SMOKEY MOUNTAIN ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION
MEDICAL AND SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR ALL BASEBALL/SOFTBALL
MANAGERS AND COACHES
1. INTRODUCTION
The following guidelines are intended to assist you with player injuries and safety issues that may occur during
the season. These recommendations are not intended to cover every situation that you may encounter;
however, you should exercise common sense and good judgement when dealing with injuries.
2. YOUTH SPORTS INJURIES
Four and one half million amateurs participate in the great American pastime, half of them under the age of
thirteen. Baseball and softball are relatively safe sports, with lower injury rate than most major sports. One third
of U.S. children who participate in sports suffer some kind of injury requiring attention from parents, physicians,
or both. There are two major types of physical injuries that occur in sports: the acute injury and the overuse
injury. An acute injury is usually caused by abrupt force, such as impact with another athlete; a blow from a ball
or bat; or a sudden twist that may sprain an ankle or tear a knee ligament. An overuse injury is a progressive
condition caused by repetitive stress on one part of the body, such as tendonitis in a pitcher’s elbow or shoulder.
The most serious injuries in baseball and softball are to the head and chest, from being hit by a pitched or
batted ball. Some of these injuries are fatal, and a number of the deaths among young baseball and softball
players are second only to those in football. For the most part, however, baseball injuries consist of bumps,
bruises, and fractures.
3. TREATMENT OF INJURIES
A general rule to be observed when first determining the severity of the child’s injury, is to allow the child to
attempt movement on his/her own. Allowing this to take place will help your assessment of the seriousness of
the injury. Most soft tissue contact or blow injuries can be treated by applying ice to the affected area and
elevating the area above the heart to aid in reducing any swelling.
The acronym RICE is used to describe the treatment for soft tissue type of injuries. R is for REST, rest the
injury site; I is for ICE, apply 20 min on, then 20 min. off, for 24-48 hours; C is for COMPRESSION, snugly
wrap the injured site with an ACE type bandage, but not so tightly as to restrict blood flow. Never leave a
compression bandage in place while sleeping; E is for ELEVATION, keep the injured area elevated above the
heart to reduce the swelling. Anti- inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or ADVIL will help speed up the
recovery and lessen the pain.
Sprains, lacerations, bruises and contusions are usually self-evident and can be dealt with by using basic first aid
in conjunction with the team first aid kit. However, injuries to the head that do not indicate swelling or bruising
can become serious over time. If a child does incur a head injury, but he/she appears to be ok, an adult should
be assigned to monitor the child for changes, at short time intervals. Confusion, sleepiness, disorientation,
nausea, vomiting and irritability are symptoms that may develop if the injury is serious. Minor head contusions
are best treated by applying an ice pack to the affected area. NEVER use an ice pack above the eyes. The
chemicals inside the pack are irritants. In ALL cases where a head injury has occurred, the child’s
parent/guardian must be notified.
4. 911 EMERGENCIES
If the injured child is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, call 911 and request and Ambulance.
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LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
SEVERE and/or UNCONTROLLED BLEEDING
OBVIOUS FRACTURE
SEVERE PAIN
MASSIVE SWELLING
INABILITY TO MOVE
INJURY TO THE EYE
When notifying 911, give your name, the age of the child, a brief description of the injury, and the child’s
location. Give a geographical location of the field such as: “the lower field down in the corner behind the middle
school”. This will avoid a delay in the response of the EMT’S.
5. CUTS AND LACERATIONS
Whenever you are administering first aid that involves body fluids, such as blood or bloody saliva, you must
wear the exam gloves to prevent transfer of any blood borne infectious diseases from the patient to the care
giver. When you are finished with the treatment, pull the gloves off inside out and dispose of them in a trash
receptacle.
Cuts and lacerations that are too large for band aids, but not severe enough to be treated by a professional, can
best be treated by applying a sterile gauze pad with direct pressure to the wound. Once the bleeding is
controlled (do not remove the gauze dressing) use the rolled gauze dressing to hold the bandage in place.
6. BLOODY NOSE
Bloody noses, if minor, can be treated by having the child sit, slightly bent forward, while lightly pinching the
nostrils together and holding an ice pack on the bridge of the nose. If the bleeding does not stop within a short
period of time, try rolling up a small gauze pad and placing it between the upper lip and gum. Continue to pinch
the nostrils together while allowing part of the hand to apply slight pressure to the area above the upper lip.
Have the child avoid blowing his/her nose until well after clotting has taken place. An adult should be assigned
to the child throughout this treatment.
7. ICE PACKS
The ice packs are a single use item. They consist of a white crystalline material and an inner bag of liquid. When
needed, you strike the bag with the side of your fist while it is on a hard surface, such as a bent knee. The
resulting mixture produces a chemical reaction that generates cold. If the ice packs do not contain the crystals
they must be replaced. Also, keep them in the separate plastic bag provided and out of extreme heat. The liquid
that is produced when the two materials are mixed is an irritant. What ever it may leak onto must be cleaned
with water or discarded. If when you strike the bag and the outer bag breaks, discard the ice pack, do not use it
on the child. As previously stated, DO NOT use this ice pack above the eyes.
8. SAFETY and INJURY PREVENTION
Conditioning is the most important single factor to injury prevention in young people’s sports. Good conditioning
tailored to a particular sport sharply reduces the likelihood of an injury. Teaching proper baseball techniques to
your players and practicing reasonable rules of safety enhances injury prevention.
Safety rules that you establish and enforce are very important preventative steps. Insure that the players are
informed of your policy at the first practice and that violations will not be tolerated. The following are some
basic rules of safety and conduct that you should put into effect:
 Bats are to be used to hit baseball only, not stones, other bats, golf balls, etc.;
 Only a maximum of two (2) players shall have a bat in their hands at any one time: the player at the plate
and the player on-deck. There is no reason for the player “in the hole” to be handling a bat. The on-deck
area should be clearly designated and only the on-deck batter shall be there with a batting helmet on
his/her head;
 Bench behavior is a constant problem area, especially at the few fields where there are no fenced in
bench-areas. Do not allow the players to climb or hang from the fence. Insist that the players remain
seated on the bench and that they pay attention to the game to avoid being hit by a thrown or batted
ball;
 Require proper dress. In the spring and fall, temperatures can fall rapidly toward the end of the game. The
cold only serves to promote injuries to the muscles and joints. Insist that the players, and remind the
parents, to bring clothing that is appropriate for the weather;
 Never allow a player to stretch cold muscles. Begin all games and practices with a warm-up routine such
as jumping jacks, running in place or jogging around the field. Just long enough to raise the body
temperature a few degrees that will be evident by the beginning of perspiration.
 Simple stretching exercises will help prevent muscle sprains. Most overuse injuries can be prevented by
proper stretching and conditioning. It is important to educate the young athlete to the importance of
these exercises so that as they grow and develop they will not be hampered by preventable injuries.
9. MEDICAL RELEASE FORMS
Check your players’ Medical Release Forms to become aware of any medical condition that may affect the
player’s health while under your responsibility. These conditions could be: allergic reaction to insects, medication
or food; asthma; hemophilia (inability of the blood to clot), etc. No special consideration will be needed in these
circumstances, but the knowledge of these conditions may prove to be critical if such a medical situation occurs.
10. INJURY REPORTING
Any time a player sustains an injury that requires medical attention, the manager shall submit a written account
of the injury on the SMAA/Babe Ruth League form to his/her League Commissioner within 24 hours.