Covid-19 Safety Protocols

• All on-field coaches must wear masks that cover their mouth and nose.
• Do not attend if you or anybody that you recently came into contact with is sick or has a fever.
• Do not attend if there is any sign of sickness or not feeling well. This includes coughs due to allergy.
• No handshakes, high-fives, or any sort of touching.
• No gum, sunflower seeds, tobacco, spitting.
• No post game snacks.
• Player is to abide by the division’s dugout policy and social distancing procedures.
• Player must bring a reusable water container labeled with his or her name.  The league will not provide water.
• Players may wear PPE that doesn’t interfere with the safety of the game. For example, plastic face shields will not be allowed as they are not NOCSAE approved, but masks and other face coverings do not pose a safety risk.
• In keeping with both state and city protocols for outdoor youth sports, masks are not required for players. It is strongly suggested that players utilize masks or other face coverings while in the dugout and not actively engaged in play. Parents who are uncomfortable with this may keep their player with them outside the fence, however the player must adhere to all spectator protocols, and parents will be responsible for making sure the player is prepared for their place in the offensive batting order and to take the field for defensive innings. Play will not be delayed to accommodate these players.
• All posted rules must be followed. All federal, state and local guidelines must be followed.
• Additional guidelines that require changes to these protocols may come from the State or City. Please be prepared to adjust accordingly.

• During defensive innings, players should space themselves in the dugout to maintain acceptable distancing in order to minimize viral spread. If it poses no safety risk, players may use areas behind the “L screen” of each dugout, immediately along the fence line of the field and in the bullpens. What constitutes “safety risk” will vary based on playing division. (i.e. the risk of hard hit foul balls increases as players age).
• During offensive innings, the 3rd & 4th batters in the order should be outside the dugout and prepared for their at bats. For example: Batter #1 is at bat. Batter #2 is on deck. Batter #3 in in the hole – typically behind the L screen. Batter #4 – instead of being on the bench, should be outside the dugout, either farther along the fence line or just outside the field’s gate.
• During games teams are limited to 3 on-field coaches (HC, 1st base, 3rd base) with the following exceptions:
  • 6U and 8U may have a 4th coach assist with dugout procedures, but this coach must remain outside the dugout (bringing a fold-up chair and sitting outside the fence immediately next to or behind the dugout is suggested).
  • 8U may have an additional 5th coach for express purpose of pitching, however this coach should remain outside the field during defensive innings and not enter the dugout.
  • 10U, 12U and 14U may have an additional 4th coach to assist with pitching warmup. This coach can only be in the bullpen with a single pitcher at a time and not enter the dugout.
• In keeping with both state and city protocols for outdoor youth sports, masks are not required for players. It is strongly suggested that players utilize masks or other face coverings while in the dugout and not actively engaged in play. Parents who are uncomfortable with this may keep their player with them outside the fence, however the player must adhere to all spectator protocols, and parents will be responsible for making sure the player is prepared for their place in the offensive batting order and to take the field for defensive innings. Play will not be delayed to accommodate these players.
• Bat bags and gear bags should be hung outside the fence for practices and inside along the fence for games. The bullpen can also be used depending on field. Bags or packs should be clearly identifiable by player to prevent confusion over gear and equipment.
• Players should not share equipment.
• No food or drinks in the dugout, other than players’ own filled, reusable and labeled water containers.
• No gum, candy, sunflower seeds or other snacks that might be spit out in the dugout or on the field.
• No high fives, fist bumps or other contact – this includes post-game circling up for softball.

Each team will have safety requirements to administer.  The Head Coach can delegate these responsibilities to other members of their coaching staff.

• A representative of the team is responsible for taking player temperatures through a thermal ear scanner. 
• A representative of the team  must clean their dugout completely upon leaving. No one is to enter the dugout area until all people have left the dugout from the previous game.
• A representative of the team must sanitize their dugout prior to entering. This can be done with a sanitizing spray or a team can use a bleach water mixture in a small sprayer. This must be done prior to players entering dugouts.
• A representative of the team must attend mandatory coaching training zoom meetings.
• A representative of the team must immediately communicate any safety concerns.
• Teams are asked to vacate the park after their games are over to keep the capacity of the park down to a minimum.
• The Defense will provide the game ball.
• No post-game team meetings.  Please exit the facility after your practice or game.
• No scrimmages are allowed without Commissioner approval.

The Fall League is meant for players to have baseball/softball instruction as well as to have a positive social experience.  Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we encourage the use of live-streaming events to allow for viewership at your home.

Policies:

• We encourage the presence of (1) adult per spectator per player.  This is not a requirement.
• Spectators are limited to immediate family members of the player. Do not bring extended family, friends or other visitors.
• Families must sit with those that came in their group.
• Adults are to keep spread out with 6 feet of social distancing.
• Adults are encouraged to spread out around the field rather than using the bleachers behind home plate.

• In addition to the League’s already established zero-tolerance policy, we will tolerate no issues with Social Distancing. The Head Coach will be asked to remedy any such situation immediately. If the situation is not corrected, the game will be declared a forfeit and the team who was not social distancing will be removed from the complex.
• If a coach approaches an umpire to argue a call and gets inside of 6 feet, he will be ejected immediately. Second offense by a team will result in a forfeit of the team from the game.

• (1st offense) Warning
• (2nd offense) Removal from the fall season.
  1. In the event that a Head Coach is removed from the fall season, their Priority Assistant (PA) will be offered the team.
  2. If their PA can not fulfill their duty, we will offer the teams parents to take over the team.
  3. In the event that no team parent can take over the team, the existing players can be offered to other teams.