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Ballpark Insurance Policy Information

Ballpark Insurance. Ballparks - an affectionate name for baseball stadiums or fields - are where baseball games of all levels unfold.

Ballparks are designed for large public gatherings, primarily for sporting events, but may also offer cultural or educational programs. They can be open-air, covered, or have retractable roofs. They can be owned and operated by governmental or private entities.

They generally have a large field surrounded by tiers of seats for spectators. A stage may be added to the field accommodate concerts or speakers. Often private box seating or suites are available which can be leased to individuals or corporations.

Ballparks usually have gift shops, locker rooms for athletes, private meeting rooms, restaurants, and snack bars. Liquor may be sold, particularly at sporting events. Ballparks can often hold tens of thousands of patrons.

As players that range from children who have only just begun to play recreational baseball to top-level professionals battle for victory, spectator seating for both teams surrounds the playing field.

Whether a ballpark serves major league professional athletes or youth leagues, there is no denying that owning and running a ballpark carries a broad spectrum of risks as well a lot of excitement. The fact that playing baseball features a relatively high risk of impact injuries only serves to highlight the potential perils ballparks may face.

What types of ballpark insurance are needed to protect financial interests? To find out more, keep reading.

Ballpark insurance protects your facility from lawsuits with rates as low as $47/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Below are some answers to commonly asked ballpark insurance questions:

• What Is Ballpark Insurance?
• How Much Does Ballpark Insurance Cost?
• Why Do Ballparks Need Insurance?
• What Type Of Insurance Do Ballparks Need?
• What Does Ballpark Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Why Do Ballparks Need Insurance?

Risk and uncertainty are inherent parts of running any business - and ballparks can, like any other commercial ventures, be confronted with a multitude of circumstances beyond their control, even as they do everything they can to run a smooth operation.

Some of the perils a ballpark has to consider are universal, while others are specific to the field of athletics.

A ballpark can, for example, be impacted by an act of nature such as a wildfire, earthquake, or hurricane. In the aftermath, the expenses will not be limited to exorbitant repair or replacement costs, but also include revenue lost to business interruptions.

Criminal actions like theft or vandalism, or even simple malfunctions that lead to fire, all have the potential to wreak havoc as well. An employee, player, or spectator may also be injured under circumstances for which the ballpark can be held responsible, resulting in drawn-out lawsuits.

The right ballpark insurance coverage offers an invaluable back-up plan if your business falls victim to these or other major perils.

Rather than being solely responsible for the overwhelming expenses associated with serious mishaps, your insurer will cover a significant portion of the costs so that your business can recover quickly.

Ballpark's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposure is high due to the large numbers of visitors on premises and the strong emotions that can arise between rival fans during sporting events. Public and life safety code compliance is very important. Good housekeeping is critical to preventing trips, slips, and falls. Any group tours must be staffed to adequately supervise participants. Escalators and elevators must be inspected regularly.

Floor coverings must be in good condition. Adequate lighting, marking of exits and egress are mandatory. Steps must have handrails, be well-lit, marked, and in good repair. Parking areas should be maintained free of snow and ice. Security at events, in the building, corridors, and any owned parking area, needs to be carefully reviewed.

Disaster plans, including terrorist attacks, must be in place and practice drills held with employees. The ballpark may present an attractive nuisance hazard when not in use. There must be adequate security to prevent unauthorized entry to children, vandals, or would-be terrorists.

Personal injury losses may occur due to alleged wrongful removal, invasion of privacy, or discrimination. Contracts with suppliers, vendors, event planners, and performers must be clear as to all responsibilities.

Liquor liability exposure can be quite extensive at a sporting event if employees are not properly trained to recognize the effects of excessive alcohol consumption. Procedures must be in place for checking IDs and refusing to serve underage or intoxicated individuals.

In addition, there should be a "cutoff" time well before the end of the game or activity to prevent visitors from excessive alcohol consumption prior to driving home.

Products liability exposures can be high if the ballpark operates the restaurants or snack bars. Employees should be trained in the proper handling of consumables to prevent foreign objects in food, food poisoning, or the spread of other transmissible diseases. Other product liability exposures can arise from gift shops. If these are contracted out, the ballpark should verify that the operators have adequate liability coverage.

Workers compensation exposure can be very high. Employees who set up, build, or transport stage settings, equipment, lighting, and scenery may be injured by cuts, puncture wounds, electrical shocks and burns, slips and falls, back injury, hernias, strains, or sprains from lifting or working from awkward positions.

Stage and lighting setup may involve aboveground exposures that need additional protection and precautions to avoid falling from heights or being hit by falling objects. Hawkers, peddlers, and vendors employed by the facility to sell wares in the stands have high potential to slip and fall due to limited visibility as they ascend and descend steps carrying items to sell.

Animals brought to the ballpark by performers can spread disease, bite, scratch, or kick workers. Ongoing exposure to noise levels can result in hearing impairment. Food preparation operations can result in cuts, scrapes, and burns.

Cleaning and maintenance operations can result in lung, eye or skin irritations, and reactions. Adequate security and training must be provided to employees handling money in ticket booths, gift shops, and concession stands to reduce the possibility of injury due to holdups. Security personnel should be trained to deal with both holdups and unruly patrons.

Property exposure is very high due to the extensive electrical wiring for lighting, sound systems, and other electronic equipment. Event sponsors and performers will often bring their own equipment that must be fitted into the electrical system provided by the ballpark. It must be in good repair, adequate for the equipment used, and meet all current building standards.

Circuit breakers and/or fuses must be well maintained with no overrides. Stage preparations such as building, painting, or gluing scenery or displays that use wood, plastic, or flammables will contribute to the fire load. Some performers incorporate smoke or fireworks into their shows. These operations must be properly controlled, with all flammables stored in approved containers and cabinets.

If food preparation is done on premises, such as in concession stands, all cooking equipment must be properly controlled. Smoking should be prohibited throughout the facility. There should be hard-wired smoke detectors throughout the facility.

A sprinkler system is advisable. Domed roofs may collapse due to heavy wind or snow. Ballparks may be a target for vandalism. Business income loss and extra expenses may be high after a loss due to the unavailability of backup facilities.

Equipment breakdown exposure may be high due to the heating and air conditioning systems, cooking equipment, hot water systems, electrical control panels, and lighting and sound equipment used for special events.

Breakdown and loss of use could result in a significant loss, both direct and under time element, if replacements parts are unavailable or repair time is lengthy.

Crime exposure is from employee dishonesty and money and securities. Employee dishonesty coverage should be extended to include volunteers. Background checks should be conducted on all employees and volunteers handling money. Employees who are in charge of ordering must not be the same as those who handle disbursements and billings.

Frequent inventories and audits must be conducted for adequate monitoring. If tickets are sold at the ballpark, a significant amount of cash may accumulate. Cashiers' drawers should be kept stripped with regular deposits made throughout the day.

There should be a centrally located locked cash room with a guard on hand to protect the employees and money. All monies should be double counted and balanced with cashier balance sheets. All cashiers must be held accountable for shortages.

Inland marine exposures are from audio-visual equipment, computers, fine arts, musical instruments, theatrical equipment, and valuable papers and records for contracts with suppliers and vendors. Values can be high with the wide variety of equipment for sports, sound, lighting, scenery, and displays.

Owned equipment taken off premises can be damaged in transit or stolen. If the ballpark assumes responsibility for the musical instruments, computers, equipment, or other property of athletes, entertainers or other occupants while on the premises, bailees customers coverage should also be considered.

Duplicates of records should be made and stored off-site for easy restoration.

Commercial auto exposure is generally limited to hired non-owned for employees running errands. If there is transportation of athletes, guests, performers, officials, or visitors, the exposure increases.

If there are owned vehicles, all drivers must be properly licensed and have acceptable MVRs. Vehicles must be maintained on a regular basis with all service documented.

What Does Ballpark Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Ballparks can be sued for various reasons, including:

• Fan injuries: Fans can be injured by flying baseballs, broken bats, or other hazards in the stadium, and may sue the ballpark for negligence.
• Slip and fall accidents: Fans or employees may slip and fall on wet or uneven surfaces in the ballpark, leading to injuries and potential lawsuits.
• Alcohol-related incidents: If fans are over-served alcohol and become intoxicated, they may cause accidents or engage in violent behavior, leading to lawsuits against the ballpark.
• Employment disputes: Ballpark employees may sue for various reasons, such as discrimination, wrongful termination, or wage and hour disputes.
• Property damage: Ballparks may be sued for damage to property, such as if a foul ball breaks a car windshield or a scoreboard falls and damages a nearby building.

Insurance can protect ballparks from many of these risks by providing coverage for potential liabilities. For example:

General liability insurance can provide coverage for fan injuries and slip and fall accidents, by paying for medical expenses, legal fees, and any damages awarded in a lawsuit.

Liquor liability insurance can provide coverage for alcohol-related incidents, by paying for legal fees and damages awarded in a lawsuit.

Employment practices liability insurance can provide coverage for employment disputes, by paying for legal fees and damages awarded in a lawsuit.

Property insurance can provide coverage for property damage, by paying for repairs or replacement of damaged property.

By having appropriate insurance coverage, ballparks can protect themselves from potential lawsuits and the financial burden they can bring.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

• SIC CODE: 7941 Professional Sports Clubs And Promoters
• NAICS CODE: 711310 Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities
• Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 9182 Athletic Sports or Park: Operations & Drivers

Description for 7941: Professional Sports Clubs And Promoters

Division I: Services | Major Group 79: Amusement And Recreation Services | Industry Group 794: Commercial Sports

7941 Professional Sports Clubs And Promoters: Establishments primarily engaged in operating and promoting professional and semiprofessional athletic clubs; promoting athletic events, including amateur; and managing individual professional athletes. Stadiums and athletic fields are included only if the operator is actually engaged in the promotion of athletic events. Establishments primarily engaged in operating stadiums and athletic fields are classified in Real Estate, Industry Group 651. Amateur sports and athletic clubs are classified in Industry Group 799.

• Arenas, boxing and wrestling (sports promotional): professional
• Athletic field operation (sports promotion)
• Baseball club, professional or semi-professional
• Basketball club, professional or semi-professional
• Football club, professional or semi-professional
• Ice hockey clubs, professional or semi-professional
• Managers of individual professional athletes
• Professional or semiprofessional sports clubs
• Promoters, sports events
• Soccer clubs, professional or semi-professional
• Sports field operation (sports promotion)
• Sports promotion: baseball, football, boxing, etc.
• Stadiums (sports promotion)

Ballpark Insurance - The Bottom Line

To learn more about the specific types of ballpark insurance policies you'll need to protect your operations, and the related costs - consult with a reputable insurance broker that is experienced in commercial insurance.

Additional Resources For Arts & Recreation Insurance

Read up on small business arts and recreation commercial insurance.

• Amusement Parks
• Archery Ranges
• Artist
• Athletic Fields
• Ballparks
• Ballrooms
• Billiard And Pool Halls
• Bowling Alleys
• Carnivals
• Cave Tours
• Dance Studio
• Disc Jockey DJ
• Drive-In Theaters
• Entertainers And Performers
• Event Planning
• Fairs And Fairgrounds
• Film Production
• Fine Art
• Guides & Outfitters
• Handball & Racquetball Courts
• Horse & Dog Racetracks
• Indoor Sports Complexes
• Interior Decorator
• Interior Design
• Motorsports Racetracks
• Musicians
• Photo Booth
• Photographer
• Recording Studio
• Recreation Centers
• Riding Stables
• Roller Sakting Rinks
• Shooting Ranges
• Skateparks
• Skeet & Trap Shooting Ranges
• Ski Resorts
• Stadiums
• Talent Agency
• Tennis Centers
• Theaters
• Video Arcades
• Wedding And Special Event
• Specialty Arts And Antiques
• Specialty Clubs And Leisure Time Activities
• Specialty Entertainment

The arts and recreation industry is a vital part of our society and culture, providing entertainment and enjoyment for people of all ages. However, as with any business, there are inherent risks and potential liabilities that can arise. This is where insurance comes into play.

One of the main reasons the arts and recreation industry needs insurance is to protect against financial losses due to accidents or injuries. For example, if a performer is injured while rehearsing or performing, their medical bills and lost wages could be significant. Without insurance, the cost of these expenses could potentially bankrupt a small arts organization.

In addition to protecting against accidents and injuries, business insurance can also cover damages or losses due to weather events, natural disasters, and other unexpected circumstances. For example, if a theater is forced to cancel a performance due to a power outage or extreme weather, insurance can help cover lost income and expenses.

Another important aspect of commercial insurance for the arts and recreation industry is liability coverage. This type of insurance can protect against legal claims and lawsuits if someone is injured or becomes ill while attending an event or using facilities. For example, if a patron slips and falls at a theater, they may file a lawsuit against the venue for damages. Liability insurance can help cover the costs of legal fees and any settlement or judgement.

Overall, the arts and recreation industry needs insurance to protect against financial losses and legal liabilities that can arise in the course of business. Without commercial insurance, small arts organizations and recreational facilities could be vulnerable to financial ruin in the face of unexpected events or accidents.

Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Business Income with Extra Expense, Employee Dishonesty, Money and Securities, Accounts Receivable, Commercial Articles Floater, Computers, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits Liability, Umbrella Liability, Hired and Non-owned Auto Liability & Workers Compensation.

Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Building, Bailees Customers Floater, Money and Securities, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices Liability, Business Auto Liability and Physical Damage and Stop Gap Liability.