A local Travel organization sent this out. I think it's good, especially having the players using the area from dugout to dugout as an overflow dugout, which boots the parents ("keep your shoulder in!")from that area.
On this document, you will find our 'Back to Play' Guidelines for instruction, games, practices, tryouts and facility usage. There will be an ebb and flow to this document as needed and based on CDC and Minnesota Department of Health updates. This document was co-authored with medical professionals along with MYAS and their “Safe Play” Back to the Diamond recommendations. We are moving forward with facts and science. If there are items that need to be adjusted based on fact, we will adjust swiftly. The players are our priority !
Fields – Tryouts / Games / Tournaments
The coronavirus pandemic is first and foremost a human tragedy, affecting hundreds of thousands of people. It is also having a growing impact youth sports and including youth baseball games, seasons and training. It affects the players, our employees, and the dedicated umpires who officiate games. The guidelines below are intended to create an environment in which games, practices, tryouts and training can be accomplished while implementing strict safe and healthy social distancing guidelines. Please be mindful of the factors of public health, social distancing, and societal well-being to allow players and families the opportunity at a sense of normalcy as adjustments continue to be made at the state level.
The safety guidelines listed below are proposed additional measures to be taken before, during, and after tryouts / games /tournaments. All other key prevention strategies by the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health will be strictly followed, in order to promote safety and healthy social distancing.
TRYOUTS
- Check-in
All personnel will be required to wear CDC approved face masks at the check-in station (player forms/hats/player photos). Players will be encouraged to wear face masks in pre-tryout communication. Players will enter and exit tryouts through separate gates where possible.
- On-field Tryout Process (Day 1)
- Players will be divided up onto different fields to meet MN DOH group gathering guidelines (i.e. keep the number of people per field under the recommended limit).
- Players will be instructed to keep equipment out of the dugout and place equipment along fences, meeting socially distanced approved guidelines
- One coach per field will be specifically tasked with making sure players waiting their turn are following social distancing guidelines.
- Hand sanitizer / disinfectant wipes will be available to players after handling baseballs during their tryout process
- Players will NOT be allowed to share equipment and players and coaches are asked to refrain from high fives or any other physical gestures of celebration
- Parents will NOT be allowed to spectate at tryouts.
- Call Back Game Process (Tryouts Day 2)
- Dugout: The dugout will be extended to behind the dugout to the backstop for both teams.
This is to allow players to practice social distancing throughout the game while their team is up to bat. Hand and equipment sanitizing between innings is recommended. No more than 3-5 individuals are permitted in the dugout at any given time (this is dependent on the size of the dugout). These individuals (players, coaches or any combination) must maintain all social distancing guidelines throughout the game. All other team personnel must practice social distancing in the extended area of the dugout, as referenced above.
TEAM PRACTICES
Entering or Exiting Parks: If possible, all players and coaches will enter through one entrance and exit through another, observing state guidelines for social distancing. This scenario replicates the path of travel through grocery stores. In the event there is only one entrance to the park, teams will need to be cautious and courteous at the point of entry, observing all social distancing rules.
All recommendations for group size will be followed. Players will be broken into smaller groups during practice to help enable social distancing on the field.
Hand sanitizer / disinfectant wipes will be made available to players at practice.
All players and coaches will be encouraged to follow CDC guidelines on wearing of a face mask.
GAMES / SCRIMMAGES
Entering or Exiting Parks: If possible, all players, coaches, and umpires will enter through one entrance and exit through another, observing state guidelines for social distancing. This scenario replicates the path of travel through grocery stores. In the event there is only one entrance to the park, teams will need to be cautious and courteous at the point of entry, observing all social distancing rules.
Dugout (Team Personnel): The dugout will be extended to behind the dugout to the backstop for both teams. This is to allow rostered players and up to three coaches per team to practice social distancing throughout the game while their team is up to bat. Hand and equipment sanitizing between innings is recommended.
No more than 6 individuals are permitted in the dugout at any given time (this is dependent on the size of the dugout). These individuals (players, coaches or any combination) must maintain all social distancing guidelines throughout the game. All other team personnel must practice social distancing in the extended area of the dugout, as referenced above.
Social Distancing: Parents and spectators have separate seating away from dugout. Spectators will not be allowed around the area of the backstop or dugouts. Only players, coaches, and the umpire(s) are allowed on the field of play. This means the game may be viewed along the foul lines starting at 1st/3rd base extending to the outfield and in the outfield area. Spectators may use the grandstand (if available) but must maintain social distancing guidelines. The number of spectators allowed may be limited based on field set-up.
Game Protocol: At the pregame meeting and throughout the game, coaches and umpires will not be allowed to shake hands or have any physical contact with each other. All parties must maintain social distancing guidelines. No physical contact or touching is permitted.
Players and coaches are asked to refrain from high fives or any other physical gestures of celebration. All team personnel must always maintain social distancing guidelines.
At the conclusion of the game, players will be asked to forego the sportsmanship line at the end of the game. Instead we are asking for each team to line up on their respective foul line and “tip their cap” as a salute to the other team to promote sportsmanship.
Equipment: It is highly recommended that team personnel carry hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes with you to be used before, during and after the games, whenever appropriate, such as if/when you come into contact with the ball or any other players, coaches, or shared equipment (bases).
Please wear your batting gloves as much as possible, especially when handling a bat.
Refrain from sharing equipment in general. This includes but is not limited to bats, helmets, and catcher’s equipment.
Each team needs to provide their own baseballs/softballs for when they are in the field. Each team is responsible for switching out their baseballs/softballs each inning or sanitizing their baseballs/softballs as best as possible. Again, hand and equipment sanitizing between innings is recommended.
CDC approved face masks are recommended for everyone attending and playing. This includes spectators, players, coaches, umpires, and field crew.
Umpires: Umpires will be asked to officiate the game from behind the pitcher's mound, while practicing social distancing with all fielders. This will limit the number of people around home plate and will still allow the umpire to call the game and see the whole field.
Umpires should wear a CDC approved facemask. Umpires should not handle baseballs/softballs, and should wear gloves if they intend to handle baseballs/softballs. Change gloves after each use when handling baseballs or softballs.
TOURNAMENTS
All GAME/SCRIMMAGE protocols will be followed with the following notes:
- Tournament will provide 2 baseballs/game to teams to swap-in/swap-out when they take or leave the field.
- Two-man umpire crew: home plate umpire is encouraged to wear a CDC approved mask. If the tournament uses a single umpire for games, they will be encouraged to umpire from behind the
pitchers mound.
FACILITIES
|
|