Policies

The Oaklandon Youth Organization (OYO) Board of Directors is dedicated to supporting athlete safety at all times during all activity at Veterans Memorial Park, the home of OYO. Our goal and commitment is to ensure all board members, coaches, umpires and families are aware of the symptoms of concussions and implementing a process to promote proper management of a player, umpire or coach who may be experiencing concussion symptoms based on either observation or direct feedback.

After experiencing an injury to the head, a concussion may be a possible diagnosis if a coach, parent, umpire or AOD observe the following symptoms:

• Appears dazed or stunned
• Is confused about events
• Answers questions slowly
• Repeats questions
• Can’t recall events prior to the hit, bump, or fall
• Can’t recall events after the hit, bump, or fall
• Loses consciousness (even briefly)
• Shows behavior or personality changes
• Forgets an instruction or assignment

After experiencing an injury to the head, a concussion may be a possible diagnosis if the athlete or individual (e.g. coach/umpire) verbally indicates any of the following symptoms:

• Headache or “pressure” in head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Blurry or double vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering
• Just not “feeling right” or “feeling down”

It’s important to understand athletes who continue to play while having concussion symptoms or who return to play too soon—while the brain is still healing—have a greater chance of getting another concussion. A repeat concussion that occurs while the brain is still healing from the first injury can be very serious and can affect a teen for a lifetime. It can even be fatal.

The official OYO Concussion Policy effective immediately for all activity during all seasons and activity facilitated by OYO:

If any of concussion symptoms are observed or indicated by a player, then the player must be removed from the game/practice immediately. Removal from game situations will be the responsibility of the Umpire if older than 21 years of age. If the Umpire does not meet this criteria, the Umpire will engage the Advisor on Duty (AOD) to make the decision. The athlete will be ineligible to return the rest of the day. If more serious symptoms present, the athlete must be seen by a healthcare provider prior to returning to the field.

For players who do not experience initial or additional symptoms, they will be allowed to return to practices or games after 24 hours with no documentation required. In order to return prior to 24 hours, documentation from a healthcare professional will be required.

Official Advisor on Duty Actions following a player/coach/umpire being removed from a game for exhibiting concussion symptoms:

In the event an athlete/coach/umpire is removed from play due to an injury, a safety report must be completed by the AOD on shift. This is non-negotiable. Any follow up documentation (doctor’s note, etc.) can be presented to the coach to allow the athlete to return to future participation. The coach will notify their commissioner via email of the medical release. A photo attachment of the document is acceptable.

In an effort to keep OYO participants and spectators safe, OYO has adopted two safety policies that will be observed and implemented by our Advisors on Duty (AODs) for severe weather situations:

• Thunderstorms and Lightning
• Extreme Heat

Thunderstorms and Lightning

Policy applies to rec and travel leagues utilizing OYO Facilities

Lightning has the capability to travel up to 10 miles outside of a storm’s perimeter and by the time thunder is heard, a storm is approximately 3-5 miles away, OYO will adopt the following in regard to lightning safety.

“It you hear it, clear it.” | “If you see it, flee it.”

• At first sound or sight of thunder or lightning by an OYO Advisor on Duty (AOD), the fields will be cleared via an announcement by the AOD and three short horn blasts. All players and spectators will need to return to their vehicles and remain in the parking lot until games are either cancelled or resumed. If no vehicle is available, the only building on OYO premises that is considerate a “substantial” dwelling is the main concession stand/restroom – players should be directed there.
• Play will be suspended for 15 minutes after the first sound or sighting of thunder and lightning and if more is seen or heard, the clock will “restart”. The number of times the clock will be reset will depend on the situation of the day of play. Weeknight games and Saturday games will have different needs and capabilities in terms of time needed to complete postponed games if the weather clears. Tournaments will certainly have more extenuating circumstances in the need to continue postponing rather than canceling games. This will be at the discretion of the AOD’s for all regular rec season and rec tournament games. For travel ball and weekend tournaments, this will be at the discretion of the tournament directors and travel commissioners.
• Games are considered postponed until the AOD or tournament directors determine the games cannot be finished. At this time, there will be an announcement made followed by one long horn blast. If weather and safety permit, AODs will make rounds in the parking lot via golf cart to aid in official communication on game status.

Extreme Heat

Policy applies to rec leagues utilizing OYO Facilities

The heat index is the main determinant in appropriate outdoor activity. While it is important for athletes to stay hydrated in all circumstances, in extreme heat, it is essential that coaches, parents, and league officials provide a safe environment for play.

• When the heat index exceeds 95 degrees, AODs will make frequent announcements (approximately every 30 minutes) to remind coaches, umpires and parents to make sure the athletes are taking breaks and taking in fluids.

When the heat index exceeds 105 degrees, it will be at the discretion of the AODs to cancel or reschedule games as they feel appropriate and safe.