Player Safety Evaluation Protocol
Purpose
The purpose of this protocol is to maintain a safe playing environment and minimize the risk of injury to all players. It establishes a fair and consistent process for evaluating situations where a player’s current skill readiness may present a safety concern at their level of play. The League is committed to addressing these situations respectfully while supporting each player’s development and confidence.
Baseball involves inherent risks, including being struck by batted or thrown balls and participating in fast-moving game situations. These risks are part of normal play and are expected for players at each division level.
This protocol applies only in situations where a player's current skill readiness creates a risk of injury significantly beyond the normal and expected risks for that division. The goal is not to evaluate performance, but to address situations where routine baseball activities may pose an unusual safety risk.
This protocol is not intended to address performance or competitive ability, but only situations where player safety may reasonably be at risk.
1. Preseason Skills Evaluations
Prior to the season draft, the League will conduct player skills evaluations for applicable divisions. Preseason evaluations help guide player placement but do not eliminate the possibility that safety concerns may arise once the season begins.
Evaluations will be conducted by independent and experienced evaluators, which may include qualified coaches, board members, or other individuals with significant baseball experience. Evaluation results help guide the draft and initial player placement.
2. Identification of Post-Draft Safety Concerns
If a coach believes a player’s placement in a division may present a safety concern, the coach should first consider observations from practices and games and input from other experienced coaches within the division. This process is intended only for situations where player safety may reasonably be at risk and should not be used to address performance or competitive concerns.
If the concern remains, the coach should notify the League by emailing the Player Agent, the Safety Officer, and the Board President
The message should include the following:
The specific safety concern
Situations where the concern has been observed
Steps already taken to support the player’s development
3. League Review and Observation
Upon receiving a concern, the League will designate experienced and unbiased evaluator(s) to review the situation.
The evaluator may gather information through one or more of the following:
Observing the player during a practice or a game
Gathering input from experienced coaches
Conducting a skills session if necessary
Whenever possible, observations will occur during normal baseball activities to avoid singling out the player.
4. Determination
If the evaluation determines that the player’s current placement may present a safety concern, the Saftety Officer, Player Agent and President will review the recommendation and determine appropriate next steps.
These may include:
Additional coaching support and development opportunities
Monitor the situation over time
Transfer to a more appropriate division
5. Parent Communication
If a transfer is recommended for safety reasons, a representative from the League will meet with the player’s parents or guardians to explain the concerns and discuss available options. Whenever possible, these conversations will occur privately and respectfully.
The League will seek voluntary agreement whenever possible and will prioritize solutions that ensure player safety while supporting the player’s development and enjoyment of baseball.
6. Final Placement Authority
Final decisions regarding player placement rest with the League board’s designated committee. While voluntary solutions are always preferred, the committee retains the authority to make final player placement determinations when necessary to ensure the safety of all participants. In the event the designated committee cannot reach consensus, the League board will make the final determination.
All decisions will be made in good faith, with the goal of supporting both player development and the overall safety of the League.
7. Guiding Principles
The League will administer this policy with the following principles:
Player safety is the top priority
Evaluations will be handled discreetly and respectfully
Players will not be publicly singled out or made to feel tested
Decisions will focus on long-term development and enjoyment of the game
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