FAQ (Safeguarding)

BaseballSoftballUK may assign members of its staff or others to take photographs or video at its own events, or at baseball or softball events run by the British Softball Federation, leagues, clubs, teams or other organisations, including tournaments held overseas in which British national or club teams are involved. 

Images and/or footage from such events may be used for purposes of editorial coverage or promotion, which may include use in printed documents or electronic media, including our websites and social media channels.  

Please visit the Use of Photography and Video page for more information on:

- Our procedures for obtaining and using images

- Safeguarding and privacy matters related to those images

- How to opt out of being photographed or having your image used

- How to provide images to BSUK

Everyone who participates in baseball or softball is entitled to do so in an enjoyable and safe environment, and has the right to protection from abuse, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity. The British Softball Federation and BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK) are committed to promoting the welfare of all involved in baseball and softball, and leagues, clubs, teams, other affiliated organisations and individuals associated with baseball and softball are expected to follow our standards.

If you are a young person and are worried about your or your friends' safety in your club, first check out the advice and support in the Advice for Young People page of the Safeguarding section of our site. This will tell you who you can speak to about it.

If you are an adult with a specific concern about the welfare of a young person or vulnerable adult while they are involved in baseball or softball, your first point of contact should be the club or programme's Safeguarding Officer. If you can't get in contact with this person, contact BSUK's Safeguarding Officer by calling 020 7453 7055 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). You can also find lots of information in the Safeguarding section of our website.

Sport can and does have a powerful and positive influence on its participants, especially young people. Not only can it provide opportunities for enjoyment and achievement, it can also develop valuable qualities such as self-esteem, leadership and teamwork. 

Everyone who participates in baseball or softball is entitled to do so in an enjoyable and safe environment, and has the right to protection from abuse, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity.

Everyone working in baseball and softball - whether paid or in a voluntary capacity - has a role to play in safeguarding the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and preventing their abuse. Find out how in the Safeguarding section of the website.

The British Softball Federation and BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK) are committed to promoting the welfare of all involved in baseball and softball. We aim to provide a process that will make it simple and straightforward for people to raise any concerns they may have.

We've outlined the procedure in the Safeguarding section which explains how to deal with a complaint by a parent, guardian or carer resulting from a safeguarding concern involving someone under the age of 18 or a vulnerable adult, or a complaint made by a young person or vulnerable adult directly.

Every baseball and softball club should have a Club Safeguarding (or Welfare) Officer who leads on ensuring that the club provides a safe environment for participants, especially young people and vulnerable adults. They also act as the contact point for club members with welfare concerns and represent the club if a welfare investigation is carried out by BaseballSoftballUK, the British Softball Federations or another safeguarding authority.

You can find out more about what is involved in the Safeguarding section. 

It is important that Club Safeguarding Officers read the safeguarding-related policies and procedures that have been adopted by BaseballSoftballUK or the British Softball Federation. Leagues, clubs, teams, other affiliated organisations and individuals associated with baseball and softball are expected to follow these standards.