Dubuque Sports Complex Jordan Ries, Adam Schwoebel, and Mark Jablonski

Overview Background Review of Literature ▫Hit Zone Waiver ▫Accident Report Limitations Observations Recommendations

Background on DSC Nightengale Lane Dubuque Iowa, Home to: ▫5 baseball/softball fields ▫DSC Hit Zone ▫Advance Trophy

Background on DSC (cont.) “What We Do” (from Youth Baseball Leagues / Tournaments Adult Softball Leagues / Tournaments Indoor baseball / Softball Training Facility Indoor / Outdoor Batting Cages Individual & Team Hitting, Pitching, Fielding & Catching Instruction Boys Baseball / Girls Softball Camps Birthday Parties, Corporate meetings, team building Team Fundraisers Trophy, Awards & Engraving Much more.....

Description of DSC Amenities ▫Hit Zone  3 pitching machines  2 full length pitching/hitting lanes  Soft-toss stations  Workout area ▫Three lighted outdoor batting cages ▫Full-service concession stand

Website Outdated Poorly organized ▫Cluttered and hard to navigate Does not provide waivers/legal forms Acknowledges and Thanks sponsors/donors ▫Larger sponsors’ logos are on each page Provides all needed information for baseball leagues and tournaments ▫No information pertaining to softball leagues and tournaments

Review of Literature: Hit Zone Waiver Had lines for parent/guardian signature if participant was a minor Main section is in all caps: ▫“I AM AWARE THAT THE ACTIVITIES ARE HAZARDOUS. I AM VOLUNTARILY PARTICPATING IN THE ACTIVITES WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE RISKS INVOLVED, AND HEREBY AGREE TO ACCEPT ALL RISKS OF INJURY AND DEATH TO MYSELF, MY CHILDREN, AND MY WARDS.”

Review of Literature: Hit Zone Waiver (cont.) Document was short and concise ▫Included all necessary information ▫Not time consuming  Would take less than 5 minutes to read and fill out

Review of Literature: Accident Report Can be filled out by the injured party or an employee Significant amount of room to describe incident as well as the injury and the cause Asks for witness’ description of the incident ▫Name and phone number Lacks DSC’s insurance information ▫Number to contact, policy number, etc. Lacks a place for the injured party to put their insurance information

Limitations Visit was at a time when no games or practices were happening Only one source of information Time Limited access to whole property

Observations Facility provided more than enough signage regarding risks and Complex’s policies Staff size is small compared to facility size Bats/helmets were easily accessible ▫Not all bats had up-to standard grips Many dangerous areas for children Complex’s fields, buildings, etc were well-kept Buildings were locked when not in use

Recommendations Do weekly inspections of indoor and outdoor cages as well as pitching machines Make sure Hit Zone cage barrier is up at all times Provide an adequate number of helmets and bats with appropriate grip for batting cages Build a restroom for farthest two fields

Recommendations (cont.) Put up fence restricting access to creek ▫Fasten sign regarding the danger of the creek to the fence Take care of all fallen branches and trees immediately Post a rules sign in the playground Place signs warning spectators of foul balls around the park Post signs in parking lot warning of the potential of car damage

Recommendations (cont.) Add complex’s insurance information to the accident report Add a section for the injured party’s insurance information to the accident report Create an employee manual/handbook Make Hit Zone waiver available online Make sure anyone injured fills out the accident report immediately following the incident