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SoftballTechnicalandFacilitiesManual
SoftballTechnicalandFacilitiesManual
ForOlympic,WorldCup,Regional,andMulti-
SportCompetitions
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SoftballTechnicalandFacilitiesManual
TECHNICALANDFACILITYREQUIREMENTS
WBSCSOFTBALLCOMPETITION
The purpose of the WBSC Softball Technical and Facilities Manual is to furnish a broad base ofinformationfortheplanninganddesignofasoftballvenueorfields.Webrieflydescribetheprocessandconsiderationsnecessary todetermine the feasibilityandsizingofasoftballvenueor facility.Also includedare theWBSCSoftball fielddimensionrequirements, sometypical field lightingandirrigationlayouts.Thismanualissimplyaguidetoorientyoutounderstandingthecomplexitiesoffieldconstruction.There are a variety of considerations, including but not limited to, safety, maintenance, specificdesign,weatherconditionsandlegacy.The technical and facility requirements for hosting Softball World Cups, Regional/Multi-sportGames, Olympic Qualifiers and the Olympics are set out in the WBSC Softball Technical andProceduralCodebutonlyonlimitedbases. Thismanualisnotall inclusive,howeveritdoescoverthe basics as well as provide more details in some areas to assist Federations/OrganisingCommitteesonfulfillingwhatisrequiredtohostandconductanWBSCSoftballCompetition.
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TableofContents Section1 VenueGuide 4
1. ThePlayingField 52. StadiumSeating:Spectators 53. OutfieldSeating 54. StadiumSeating:VIPs,OlympicFamily 55. StadiumSeating:Media 56. StadiumSeating:ParticipatingAthletes 57. PressBox 78. WorkroomsandOffices 89. PracticeFields 910. Lights 911. DressingRooms 1012. Training/PhysioRoom 1013. Dugouts 1114. Scoreboards 1115. Bullpens 1216. StorageFacilityatMainStadium 1217. Fences 1218. BattingCages 1419. Tarp 1520. FoulPoles 1521. Bases 16
Section2 Diagrams 17
1. OfficialDimensionsforSoftballDiamond 182. WBSCOfficialSoftballFieldDimensions 193. SamplePracticeFieldVenues 20
Section3 GeneralSafetyandRiskManagement 21
3.1 GeneralSafetyandRiskManagement 223.2 GeneralMaintenanceandMinimumSafetyStandards 233.3 LightningSafetyOutdoors 243.4 SoftballFieldSafetyChecklist 26
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SECTION1VenueGuide
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1. THEPLAYINGFIELD:
1.1 The actual softball game playing fieldmustmeet the standards established in theWBSCSoftballOfficialRulesofSoftball–Rule2:ThePlayingField.
1.2 Theplaying field, inadditiontomeetingspecifications,mustbeskinned infield(nograss).
1.3 Specificdetailsontheactualplayingfieldlayoutfollowonpage–OfficialDimensions.1.4 The Stadium Playing Field must face Northeast for minimum sun impact on the
players.
2. STADIUMSEATING–Spectators:
2.1 Theremustbeamainplayingstadiumwithseatingforatleast5,000spectators.2.2 Theseatingnearhomeplateinthemainstadiummustbeatleastpartiallycovered.
3. OUTFIELDSEATING:
3.1 Willberequired formaximumspectatorcapacityandoptimumvisibilityofplayingfield.
3.2 Theremustberestroomfacilitiesintheoutfieldfortheoutfieldspectators.
4. STADIUMSEATING–VIP’S,OlympicFamily:
4.1 TheIOCusuallydesignatesthenumberofVIPandOlympicFamilyseatswithinthe
MainStadium.4.2 At the 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 Games we had approximately 100 seats
designatedforVIP’sandmembersoftheOlympicFamily.4.3 Theseseatsneedtobenearhomeplateandcoveredseating.
5. STADIUMSEATING–Media:
5.1 Themediaseatingwillbeworkingspaceandwillneedtobeabletoaccommodateatleast100workingmedia.
5.2 Theseseatingneedstobenearhomeplateandalsobecovered,andmusthaveaccesstopowerforlaptopcomputercapabilities.
6. STADIUMSEATING–ParticipatingAthletes:
6.1 Thereareeight(8)totalparticipatingteamswithtwo(2)onthefieldleavingsix(6)potentialteamsintheParticipantSeating.(FutureGamestotalparticipantsTBD)
6.2 Eachteamhasamaximumof20people,whichmeans120ParticipatingAthleteseatsrequired.
6.2.1 Theseseatscanbelocatedinthemainstadiumstandsdowneitherthefirstorthirdbaselines.Outfieldseatingisnotacceptable.
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PlayingField
StadiumSeating
OutfieldSeating
MediaSeating
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7. PRESSBOX–ScorersandAnnouncers:
7.1 Thescorersandannouncersmusthaveaglassenclosedpressboxoverlapping the
fieldofplaythatislocatedonLevel2oftheMainStadium.
8. WORKROOMSANDOFFICES:The following workrooms and offices need to be located somewhere within the MainStadiumStructurebehindhomeplate:8.1 MEDIAWORKROOM:
8.1.1 TheMediaWorkroomneedstobeapproximately75feetx75feet(246m2)withenoughspacetohandleaminimumof150workingmedia.
8.1.2 This workroom will require computer capabilities, fax, phone and closedcircuitTV.
8.2 INTERVIEWROOM:
8.2.1 Thisneeds tobe largeenoughtoholdaminimumof150people in theatrestyleseatingwith2-3headtables.
8.3 IFandOLYMPICFAMILYLOUNGES:
8.3.1 TheWBSCprefersthattheIFLoungebelocatednexttotheOlympicFamilyLounge.
8.4 MEETINGandWORKROOMSwithinthePressBoxStructure:
8.4.1 The Technical Delegatesworkroom does not need to overlook the field ofplay,butshouldbewithinthestructureofthePressBox,butnotwithintheactualPressBox.
8.4.2 Thisroomneedstobeprivateandabletobesecuredandclosedoffbywallsanddoorsandnotbypartitions.
8.4.3 Thisworkroomneedstohandleupto10peoplecomfortably,withcomputercapabilities,phoneandclosedcircuitTV.
8.4.4 WBSCOFFICES-BoththeWBSCSoftballChairmanandtheWBSCExecutiveDirectorneedtohaveanofficewithinthePressBoxstructure.Theseshouldeachbeapproximately12feetx12feet(3.65m)andhaveclosedcircuitTV,telephoneandcomputercapabilities.
8.4.5 The WBSC Secretariat needs to have a workroom within the Press Boxstructure large enough to house at least six (6) working staff memberscomplete with partition separations, fax, copy machine, computers andphones.
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PressBox/WorkingArea
InternationalFederationLounge
OlympicFamilyLounge
OlympicFamilyViewingArea
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9. PRACTICEFIELDS:9.1 In addition to amainplaying stadium, there should be at least two (2) secondary
playingfieldswhichtheteamswillusetopracticeandwarm-uppriortocompetition.9.2 It ispreferredthatthefieldsbeadjacentorascloseaspossibletothemainplaying
stadium.9.3 The infieldcompositionof thepractice fieldsshouldbeof thesamedirt/clay/sand
mixtureasthemainstadiuminfield.9.4 If these twopractice fieldsare side-by-side, then it is preferred theybe20-50 feet
apart.(6.09-15.24m).9.5 Thesetwopracticefieldsdonotneedtohaveanyadditionalseating,buttheyshould
eachhaveelectricaloutletsandlights.
10. LIGHTS:
10.1 Theremustbelightsonthemainstadiumfieldinadditiontobothpracticefields,if
nightgamesareplayed.10.2 Eachfieldmusthaveaminimumoffour(4)lighttowerstoproperlylightthefieldof
play, in addition toprovidingadequate lighting forTVgameson themain stadiumfield.
PracticeFields
Lighttower
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11. DRESSINGROOMS:
11.1 ATHLETESDRESSINGROOMS:Theremustbedressingroomsforbothteamsatthemain stadium.Although some teamsmay choose todress at their village facilities,dressingroomsforbothteamsmustbeavailableatthestadiumfacility.
11.1.1 Eachteams’dressingroomshouldbelargeenoughtocomfortablyhouse20
people,completewithchairsandlockers.11.1.2 The WBSC prefers that the athletes enter the dugouts directly from their
dressingrooms.11.1.3 Thedressingroomsneedtohaverestroomfacilitieswithinthem.
AthletesDressingRoom
11.2 COACHESDRESSINGROOM:WithineachAthletesDressing/Lockerroomthereneeds
tobeaCoachesDressingRoomlargeenoughtoholdthree(3)coacheswithshoweranddressingfacilities.11.2.1 TheseCoachesDressingRoomswillalsoserveasaprivatemeetingroomfor
thecoachingstaffs.
11.3 UMPIRES DRESSING ROOM: The umpires also will need a dressing room that isseparatefromthoseoftheteams,withaseparateentry.11.3.1 TheUmpire-In-ChiefandAssistantshouldhaveanindoorareaontheground
level(playingfieldlevel)withfieldaccessthatislargeenoughtoholdsix(6)people.
12. TRAININGROOM(PHYSIOROOM):
12.1 There needs to be one (1) Training Room per team large enough to hold all themodalities and tables necessary for working on and treating injured players.Theseroomsmusthavewaterandelectricityinadditiontophones.
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Training/PhysioRoom
13. DUGOUTS:
13.1 Theremustbetwo(2)dugoutsoneachfield.13.2 Oneoneachsideof the infield;one locatedbetween firstbaseandhomeplateand
theotherbetweenhomeplateandthirdbase.13.3 Thedugoutsmusthaveroofsandsideswithanenclosedback.13.4 They shouldbebelowground level to ensuremaximumspectator viewing andTV
visibility.13.5 Both dugoutsmust be located in the out-of-play area and have a protective fence
alongthefront3feet(1m)inheight.Theminimumenclosedspacewithinthedugoutshouldbe30feet(9m)by4feet(1.2m)withanentrancetotheplayingfieldateachendandanentrancetothelockerroomintheback.
14. SCOREBOARDS:14.1 There must be an electronic scoreboard together with a reader board and Video
Boardlocatedineitherleftorrightfieldbehindtheoutfieldfenceandnotblockinganyspectatorviews.
14.2 Thescoreboardmustnotbeplacedindirectcenterfieldtopreventdistractionstothebatters.
14.3 Themainscoreboardintheoutfieldwillexhibitvideoimagesofthegameaswellasstatisticsandupdatesonthereaderboard.
14.4 Themainoutfieldscoreboardmustdisplayeachinning,thecurrentbatter,theruns,hitsanderrorsperteam,thenumberofouts,strikes,andballs.
14.5 Anadditional,asmallerscoreboardmustbelocatedonthethirdbasesideofthefieldnearhomeplatefortheoutfieldspectators.
Scoreboard
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15. BULLPENS:
15.1 Thereneedstobetwo(2)bullpensonthemainstadiumfield-oneoneachsideofthefield.
15.2 These bullpens are for pitching warm-up areas and should have two (2) pitchingrubbersandhomeplates(43feetor13.1m)ineachbullpen.
15.3 These pitching rubbers need to be at least 15 feet apart (4.57m) so that two (2)pitcherscanwarmupsimultaneously.
16. STORAGEFACILITYATMAINSTADIUM:
16.1 It’scrucialthattherebeanon-sitestoragefacilityatleast40feetx70feet(12.19mx21.33m).
16.2 Thisfacilitywillhouseallfieldmaintenanceequipmentlikelawnmowers,tractors,fieldmaintenanceitemsandallinfieldsurfacematerials.
17. FENCES:
17.1 VENUEPERIMETERFENCE:There shall be apermanentor temporary fence6 feet(2.0m)highrunningcompletelyaroundthesoftballstadiumtoenclosethevenue.
17.1.1This fence canbe either chain-link,woodor anyother typeofmaterialand
shouldbecoveredtopreventvisibilityfromoutsidethevenueintothefieldofplay.
17.2 BACKSTOP:Thereshallbeastandardtypebackstopthatisatleast25feet(7.62m)andnotmorethan30feet(9.14m)fromhomeplate.
17.2.1 This backstop needs to be made out of netting and not out of chain-link
fencing.NettingismucheasierforspectatorsandTVcamerastoseethrough.
Protectivefence
BullPen
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17.3 SIDEFENCES:Thereshallbeboundaryfencesfromthebackstoprunningdowneach
sidelinelinkingthebackstopwiththeoutfieldfence.
17.3.1 Theportionsofthesidelinefencesthatarealongthetopofthedugoutsandrunningalongthebaseofthebackstopinfrontofanyspectatorseatingmustalsobemadeoutofnetting.Thesidelinefencesthatgobeyondfirstandthirdbaseandgoouttotheoutfieldfencecanbemadeoutofmetalchickenwire.
17.3.2 Therecommendedheightforthesesidelinefencesis4-6feet(1.2m-2m).17.3.3 Theportionofthesidelinefencethatisonthefieldofplaymusthaveadirt-
warningtrackthatis12-15feet(3.65m-4.57m).17.4 OUTFIELD FENCE: The outfield fence can be either permanent or temporary and
shouldbe4feetto6feethigh(1.2m–2m).
17.4.1 Theremustalsobea10-12foot(3.05-3.65m)dirt-warningtrackinfrontoftheentireoutfieldfence.
17.4.2 Iftemporary,theoutfieldfencemustbesecuredsothatitwillnotblowdownintheeventofwind.
Netting
Chainlink
WarningTrack
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18. BATTINGCAGES:
18.1 There must be a minimum of two (2) batting cages on the main stadium fieldcompletewithelectricityandlighting.
18.2 TheWBSCprefersthatthesebattingcageshaveacoveredtop.
Backstop
Outfieldfence
BattingCage
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19. TARP:
19.1 Themainstadiumfieldneedsatarptocovertheinfieldsurfaceintheeventofrain.19.2 Thistarpneedstobearegulationsoftballinfieldsizetarpandnotabaseballinfield
size tarp. Since a baseball infield is larger than that of a softball field, the largerbaseballtarpwillhangoutbeyondtheinfieldsurfaceontotheoutfieldgrassandkillthegrass.
19.3 Whenthetarpisnotinuseitistoberolledupandstoredonatarptube,outofthefieldofplay.
20. FOULPOLES:
20.1 On each field there needs to be two (2) foul poles; one down the first base lineagainsttheoutfield fenceandon theout-of-playside,andonedownthe thirdbaselineontheoutfieldfenceontheout-of-playside.
20.2 Eachfoulpoleneedstoatleast15feetor(4.57m)high.20.3 Thefoulpolesneedtobeyellowincolorsotheystandapartfromtheoutfieldfence.
BattingCage
Tarp
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21. BASES:
21.1 Second and Third basemust be 15 inches (38.1cm) x 15 inches (38.1 cm), and amaximumheightof5inches(12.7cm).
21.2 Thesebasesarewhite.21.3 First base must be a double-base safety base for safety purposes, measuring 15
inches(38.1cm)x30inches(76.2cm).21.4 Halfofthedoublebaseiswhiteandtheotherhalfisorange.Thewhitebaseisinfair
territory,whiletheorangebaseisinfoulterritory.21.5 Thefirstbasefoullinerunsdownthemiddleofthesafetybase(asshown).
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SECTION2
Diagrams
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Backstop and Side Fence to Foul Line:
25’ – 30’ (must be symmetrical)
15 “ (38.1 cm)
7.5 “ (19.05cm)
Baseline to 1st base
2nd baseClose Up
On Deck Circle - 2’5” (0.76m) Radius
3’ (.91m)
12’ (3.6 m)
Safety Base
30’ (9.14m)
Coaches Boxes (both sides of the field)
8’ Radius
(2.44m)
Home Plate to 2
nd Base
84’ 10 ¼ “ (25.86 m)
Home plate to pitching plate
Female 43’ (13.11m)
Male 46’ (14.00m)
60‘ (18.29m)
60 ‘ (18.29m)60
‘ (18
.29m
)
60 ‘ (18.29m)
3’ (.91m)
Coaches Box
Refer to home
Plate Detail Page 40
15’ (
4.57
m)
15’ (4.57m)
OFFICIALDIMENSIONSFORSOFTBALLDIAMONDS
DISTANCETABLE(ADULT)
Game Division Bases Pitching FencesFastPitch Female
Male
60’(18.29m)
60’(18.29m)
43’(13.1m)
46’(14.0m)
220(67.1m)
250(76.2m)
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WBSCOFFICIALSOFTBALLFIELDDIMENSIONS
10’ (3.05 m)
7’ (2.2 m)
PITCHER’S PLATE
6” (15.24 cm)
24” (60.96 cm)
HOME PLATE
17” (45 cm)
8.5” (22 cm)
12” (31.8 cm)
FIRST BASE – SAFETY BASE
(top view)
White Orange
15’ (38 cm)
15’ (38 cm)
15’ (38 cm)
5” maximum – 13 cm
FIRST BASE – SAFETY BASE
(side view)
HP BATTER’S
BATTER’S BOX and
CATCHER’S BOX
DETAILS
4’ (1.22 m)
3’ (1 m)
2’5” (.75 m)
3’ (1 m)
Skinned Infield:
A 60’ (18.29 m) infield cutout radius is recommended. This is measured from the front center of the pitcher’s plate as the center point of the arc (indicated by
Infield Dirt
Outfield Grass
3’ (1 m)
Backstop should be a minimum of 7.62m (25’)
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SAMPLEPRACTICEFIELDVENUES
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SECTION3GENERALSAFETYANDRISKMANAGEMENT
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GENERALSAFETYANDRISKMANAGEMENTBoththefrequencyandseverityofinsuranceclaimsincurredparticipatingteamsandofficialshavebeen increasing. This increase is especially noticeable in the area of liability claims. Injuries andlawsuitsnowseemtobeanintegralpartofamateursportsaroundtheworld.It is importantthatofficialsdoeverythingintheirpowertoreduceinjuriesandminimizetheexposuretolawsuits,sincetheseimpedeandinterferewiththeabilitytoconductsoftballoperations.Anawarenessofthetypesofinjuriesandthenatureoflawsuitsthatoccurinsoftballisimportant.Beingawareofthemorecommonproblemswillbetterenableofficialstoavoidandpreventthesesituationsfromoccurringinthefuture.Herearesomeofthestepsthatofficialscantaketohelpputdownwardpressureoninsuranceandlitigationcosts:1. AWARENESS:Officialsshould familiarize themselveswith theactivitiesandsituations that
commonlyresultininjuriesandlawsuits.Useyourcommonsensetoavoidandminimizethemore common andmore severe kinds of injuries. Create an awareness of these statisticsamong your deputy and district commissioners, tournament officials, umpires, managers,coachesandplayers.
2. INSPECTION OF FIELDS: Be sure you are familiar with and that you or your designated
representative have personally inspected all fields being used in your area. Review theenclosedfieldownerchecklist.Makesurethattheseroutinesafetymeasuresarefollowedonfieldsinyourarea.Iffieldownersdonotcooperate,useotherfieldsthataresafe.Overseeingandmaintainingtheconditionoffieldsisthefirststepinimprovingthesafetyofthegameofsoftball. Umpires can help with these inspections and can be of invaluable assistance inmaintainingsafe,hazard-freefieldconditions.
3. SAFETYANDACCIDENTPREVENTION:Emphasizeproperinstructioninthefundamentalsof
thegameofsoftball,especiallyforJuniorOlympicplayers.Sinceslidinginjuriesareamongthemostfrequentandserious,reviewthestepsthatcanbetakeninyourareatominimizeslidinginjuries.Reviewthekindsofprotectiveequipmentthatarerequired,andmakesurethattheserequirementsareenforced.
4. WAIVERANDRELEASEFORMS: It isgoodbusinesspractice toutilizewaiver forms forall
players in your area for tournament games. Thiswill protect you, the organization, otherofficialsandfieldownersagainstunwarranted lawsuits,particularly for those injuriesthatareexpectedtooccurandareapartofthegameofsoftball.Reviewthesuggestedformthatisenclosedinthisreportwithyourattorneyandthenrequirethatitbeusedbyallteamsinyourarea.
5. INSURANCE:Sinceyou cannotpreventall softball injuries fromoccurringandcannotstop
lawsuits, frivolous or not, from being filed against you, insurance protection is highlyrecommendedforalltournaments.
6. WRITTENREPORTSANDDOCUMENTION: It is important tohavewritten incidentreports
on file regarding all injuries. Written reports include completed routine and special fieldinspectionchecklistsand incidentreports forknown injuries. Injuryreportsareespeciallyhelpfulifpreparedimmediatelyaftertheinjuryhasoccurred.Thesereportsshouldincludetimeanddate, exact location, natureof injury, descriptionof the events leadingup to theinjury,descriptionofemergencyorfirstaidcare,conditionofthefield,weatherreportatthe
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time of injury, names of the teams involved, names of umpires involved, and a list ofwitnesses.Intheeventofaseriousinjury,itisimportanttoaskforwrittenstatementsfromwitnessesor from individualsactually involved inthe incident.Statements fromwitnessestendtobemoreaccurate if takenimmediately.Both tournamentofficialsandfieldownersshouldretaincopiesofsuchreports.
GENERALMAINTENANCEANDCONDITIONOFTHEFIELDMINIMUMSAFETYSTANDARDS
1. ThedimensionsofthefieldshouldconformwiththespecificationsintheWBSCOfficialRules
ofSoftballsetforthbytheWBSC.2. Theentireplayingareashouldbefreeofanyholes,depressions,raisedsprinklerheadsand
otherhazards.3. Clearinfieldofstones,piecesofglass,foreignobjectsanddebris.4. Positionbackstoptobesureitistheproperdistancefromhomeplate.Ensurethatscreening
issecurewithnosharpprotrudingedges.5. Besureallfencesareingoodrepairandfreeofprotrudinghazardsorsharpedges.6. Inspectstands/bleachersforstructuralsoundnessandsafety.7. BesurewarningtracksareproperlysituatedandmeetWBSCrecommendations.8. Make sure the spectator areas are a safe distance from the field of play andare properly
screened.Payspecialattentiontoscreeningforspectatorareasbehindfirstbaseandthirdbase,toprotectagainstfoulballsandoverthrows.
9. Light stanchions, fence posts and trees that are near the field of play should be properly
cushionedorprotectedandalwaysbedeclaredas"outofplay"areas.All"outofplay"areasshould, ideally, be cushioned or fenced off or, at theminimum,marked by paint or chalklines.
10. Dugoutareasshouldbeproperlypositioned,fencedandsetbackfromthefieldofplay.11. Pay careful attention to the installation andmaintenance of home plate and the pitcher's
rubber.Becarefulofprotrudingedgesorcornersthatareraisedabovegroundlevel.12. Ifthefieldisusedforothersports,inspectforfixturesorequipmentthatmayhavebeenleft,
suchasbasepegs.13. RequirethatofficiatingbedoneexclusivelybyproperlycertifiedWBSCSoftballumpires.
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LIGHTNINGSAFETYOUTDOORSEach year, hundreds children andadults are struck by lightningwhileworking outside, at sportsevents, on the beach, mountain climbing, mowing the lawn or during other outdoor activities.Finishingthegame,gettingatan,orcompletingaworkshiftaren'tworthdeathorcripplinginjury.• Allthunderstormsproducelightningandaredangerous.
Lightningkillsmorepeopleeachyearthantornadoes.
• Lightningoftenstrikesasfaras10milesawayfromanyrainfall.Manydeathsfromlightningoccuraheadofthestormbecausepeopletryandwaittothelastminutebeforeseekingshelter.
• Youareindangerfromlightningifyoucanhearthunder.If you canhear thunder, lightning is close enough that it could strike your locationatanymoment.
• Lookfordarkcloudbasesandincreasingwind.Everyflashoflightningisdangerous,eventhefirst.Headtosafetybeforethatfirstflash.Ifyouhearthunder,headtosafety!
• BlueSkiesandLightning.Lightningcantravelsidewaysforupto10miles.Evenwhentheskylooksblueandclear,becautious. If you hear thunder, take cover.At least10%of lightningoccurswithout visiblecloudsoverheadinthesky.
TheSingleMostDangerousPlaceOutdoors is themost dangerous place to be during a lightning storm.When lightning is seen orthunder is heard, orwhendark clouds areobserved, quicklymove indoorsor intoahard-toppedvehicleandremainthereuntilwellafterthelightningstormends.ListentoforecastsandwarningsthroughyourlocalTVandradiostations.Iflightningisforecast,plananalternateactivityorknowwhereyoucantakecoverquickly.SafetyRules 1. POSTPONEACTIVITIESPROMPTLY.DON’TWAITFORRAIN.
Manypeople takeshelter fromtherain,butmostpeoplestruckby lightningarenot in therain!Goquicklyinsideacompletelyenclosedbuilding,notacarport,opengarageorcoveredpatio.Ifnoenclosedbuildingisconvenient,getinsideahard-toppedall-metalvehicle.Acaveisagoodoptionoutsidebutmoveasfaraspossiblefromthecaveentrance.
2. BETHELOWESTPOINT.LIGHTNINGHITSTHETALLESTOBJECT.
Inthemountainsifyouareabovetreeline,youAREthehighestobjectaround.Quicklygetbelowtreelineandgetintoagroveofsmalltrees.Don'tbethesecondtallestobjectduringalightningstorm!Crouchdownifyouareinanexposedarea.
3. KEEPANEYEONTHESKY.
Lookfordarkeningskies,flashesoflightning,orincreasingwind,whichmaybesignsofanapproachingthunderstorm.
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4. LISTENFORTHESOUNDOFTHUNDER.Ifyoucanhearthunder,gotoasafeshelterimmediately.
5. IFYOUSEEORHEARATHUNDERSTORMCOMING, IMMEDIATELYSUSPENDYOURGAME
OR PRACTICE AND INSTRUCT EVERYONE TO GO INSIDE A STURDY BUILDING OR CAR.Sturdybuildingsarethesafestplacetobe.Avoidsheds,picnicshelters,baseballdugouts,andbleachers.Ifnosturdybuildingisnearby,ahard-topvehiclewithwindowsclosedwilloffersome protection. The steel frame of the vehicle provides some protection if you are nottouchingmetal.
6. AVOIDMETAL.Dropmetalbackpacks, stayawayfromclothes lines, fences,exposedshedsandelectricallyconductiveelevatedobjects.Don'tholdontometalitemssuchassoftballbats.Largemetalobjectscanconductlightning.Smallmetalobjectscancauseburns.
7. MOVEAWAYFROMAGROUPOFPEOPLE.
Stay several yards away from other people. Don't share a bleacher bench or huddle in agroup.
Whattodoifsomeoneisstruckbylightning.1. CALLFORHELP
Callyourlocalambulanceservice.Getmedicalattentionasquicklyaspossible.
2. GIVEFIRSTAIDIfthevictimhasstoppedbreathing,beginrescuebreathing.Ifthehearthasstoppedbeating,atrainedpersonshouldgiveCPR.Ifthepersonhasapulseandisbreathing,addressanyotherinjuries.
3. CHECKFORBURNSINTWOPLACES
Theinjuredpersonhasreceivedanelectricshockandmaybeburned.Beingstruckbylightningcanalsocausenervoussystemdamage,brokenbones,andlossofhearingoreyesight.Peoplestruckbylightningcarrynoelectricalchargethatcanshockotherpeople.Youcanexaminethemwithoutrisk.
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SOFTBALLFIELDSAFETYCHECKLIST
FieldName____________________________________________Date_____________
Location____________________________________Inspector_____________________
Condition:S=Safe,NA=NeedsAttention,D=Dangerous,Unsafe
Infield Home 1st 2nd 3rd
1.Low/HighSpots ____ ____ ____ ____
2.BaseAnchorstoohigh/angled ____ ____ ____ ____
3.Homeplateorbasedamaged ____ ____ ____ ____
4.Plateorbasesettoohigh/low ____ ____ ____ ____
5.Pitchingrubberdamaged ____ ____ ____ ____
6.Rubbernotanchoredproperly ____ ____ ____ ____
7.Stones,glass,debris ____ ____ ____ ____
8.Other ____ ____ ____ ____
Outfield Home LF CF RF
1.Holesinfield,low/highspots ____ ____ ____ ____
2.Sprinklerheadsprotruding ____ ____ ____ ____
3.Other ____ ____ ____ ____
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PlayerBenches Location
1.Exposedorbrokenconcretefootings _____ ___________________
2.Loose/missingnutsorbolts _____ ___________________
3.Splinteredorrottedwood _____ ___________________
4.Damagedplanksorposts _____ ___________________
5.Other _____ ___________________
Bleachers/Stands Location
1.Loose/missingnutsorbolts _____ ___________________
2.Splinteredorrottedwood _____ ___________________
3.Damagedplanksorsupportingposts _____ ___________________
4.Damagedbleacherframe _____ ___________________
5.Protectivefencing/screening _____ ___________________
6.Other
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