SAFESPORT

USA Softball is committed to creating and upholding traditions of excellence in softball by building and maintaining a supportive and nurturing environment in which youth may grow, develop, and prosper.  Simply put – USA Softball will not tolerate ANY abuse whether it is physical, mental, emotional or sexual.

Preventing abuse in sport begins with awareness and how to recognize the red flags of emotional, physical and sexual misconduct, and then what to do if abuse does occur. The safety of our participants in softball is of utmost importance. SafeSport is provided FREE to all members of USA Softball.

Any adult on a softball field with youth athletes must get SafeSport training and certification annually.

The process for getting SafeSport training and certification begins at https://www.registerusasoftball.com.

 Safesport How To Guide

If you have completed SafeSport and want to download your certificate go to: https://safesporttrained.org/#/transcript

What is the purpose of U.S. Center for SafeSport?

The U.S. Center for SafeSport seeks to create a healthy, supportive environment for all participants. Through education, resources, and training, the Center helps members of the sport community recognize, reduce, and respond to misconduct in sport.

For more information about the Center please visit https://uscenterforsafesport.org/

Who is the U.S. Center for SafeSport?

The U.S. Center for SafeSport is an independent nonprofit organization responsible for responding to and preventing emotional, physical, and sexual misconduct and abuse in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. The Center also serves as an educational resource for sports organizations at all levels, from recreational sports organizations to professional leagues.This includes bullying, harassment, hazing, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual misconduct and abuse. The Center is the first and only national organization of its kind. The Center provides services to sport entities on abuse prevention techniques, policies and programs and provides a safe, professional and confidential place for individuals to report sexual abuse within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Visit our Response and Resolution, and Education and Outreach pages to learn more about our work.

U.S. Center for SafeSport Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP)

U.S. Center for SafeSport Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy

The Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP) is a collection of prevention and training policies that bind adult participants and organizations in the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement.

Who should report?

All individuals, regardless of membership with USA Softball, are encouraged to report suspected violations of the SafeSport Code. Adult Participants who are over the age of 18 are required to report suspected SafeSport Code violations related to or accompanying sexual misconduct. Adult Participants who fail to report SafeSport Code violations may be subject to disciplinary action.

USA Softball’s designated 'Adult Participants' for SafeSport purposes, are, as follows:

National Office Staff

National Teams, including:

  • Staff

  • Coaches

  • Players

  • Athletic Trainers

  • Medical Personnel

  • Umpires appointed by the NGB to international events

Local Association Softball Officials, including:

  • Board of Directors

  • Commissioners appointed by USA Softball

  • JO Commissioners appointed by the USA Softball Commissioners

  • Player Representatives appointed by USA Softball Commissioners

  • Umpires-In-Chief appointed by USA Softball Commissioners

  • National Championship Tournament Directors appointed by USA Softball or USA Softball Commissioners

  • Umpires appointed by USA Softball to national championship events

USA Softball's Local Association Members, including:

Coaches and players over the age of 18

How to Report

Click here for information on How to Report a Concern.

Will my report be confidential?

To the extent permitted by law, and as appropriate, USA Softball shall on request from the complainant keep the complainant’s name confidential, not make public the names of potential victims, the accused perpetrator, or the people who made a report of child physical and sexual abuse to the authorities.

Is there a fee for reporting?

No, there is no fee.

Can I report anonymously?

Anonymous reporting may make it difficult for USA Softball to investigate or properly address misconduct or abuse. However, USA Softball recognizes it can be difficult for an athlete, teammate, friend or family member to report an allegation of misconduct and strives to remove as many barriers to reporting as possible. Anonymous reports may be made without the formality of completing a Report Form:

'Whistleblower' Protection?

Regardless of outcome, it is the policy of USA Softball to support the complainant(s) and his or her right to express concerns in good faith. USA Softball will not encourage, allow or tolerate attempts from any individual, group or organization to retaliate, punish, or in any way harm any individual(s) who reports a concern in good faith or otherwise participates in an investigation (e.g., a witness). Such actions against a complainant, witness or other complainant will be considered a violation of the USA Softball Safe Sport Program and grounds for disciplinary action, and may also be subject to civil or criminal proceedings.

Bad-Faith Allegations?

A report of abuse, misconduct or policy violation that is malicious, frivolous or made in bad faith is prohibited. Such reports will be considered a violation of the USA Softball Safe Sport Program and grounds for disciplinary action. Depending on the nature of the allegation, a person making a malicious, frivolous or bad-faith report may also be subject to civil or criminal proceedings.

Will my report be handled without bias?

Any person or organization that may have a conflict of interest because they are named in a complaint, are a witness to an allegation, are closely affiliated with the person accused of misconduct, or who may have other potential bias, are considered to have a conflict of interest in the investigation or outcome of the complaint, and shall be recused from participating in an investigation or other disciplinary process. The investigation and hearing process shall be handled by persons that are reasonably disinterested and impartial to the matter and all other persons and the program involved.

Report Here

Pursuant to federal law, all adults authorized to interact with minor or amateur athletes who learn of facts that give reason to suspect that a child has suffered an incident of child abuse, including but not limited to sexual abuse, shall make a report of the suspected abuse to law enforcement and/or your state’s designated agency within 24 hours. Reports of abuse not involving a minor may and should also be reported to local authorities.

  • TO REPORT SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

  • Report to U.S. Center for SafeSport

  • Phone - 833-5US-SAFE

  • Online Form - Click Here

  • Crisis Support - Click Here

Examples of Non-Sexual Misconduct: Physical Misconduct, Verbal/Emotional Misconduct, Bullying, Hazing, or Harassment (this is not a complete list, please see the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code for more detail)

Examples of Sexual Misconduct: Sexual harassment, Child sexual abuse, Non-consensual sexual conduct, or Intimate relationships involving an imbalance of power (this is not a complete list, please see the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code for more detail)