Geddes Little League Return to Play Plan – April 2021
Overview:
The goal of this plan is to create as safe an environment as possible for players, coaches, families, volunteers and umpires while they are participating in or experiencing a baseball or softball event at Geddes Little League event. The following recommendations are made using resources from Little League International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). These plans will be reviewed regularly to ensure that at all times, Geddes Little League will follow New York State and local guidelines and regulations regarding group gatherings and youth sports activities.
General Guidelines:
· Families will be asked to take the temperature of all players before leaving home for the field
· Any participant with a temperature above 100F should stay home
· Any participant, fan or volunteer with symptoms of COVID-19 will be asked to stay home with symptoms including but not limited to: fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of smell/taste.
· Any participant or fan who has been at a GLL event and then becomes sick within two weeks should immediately notify the league
· Hands should be washed frequently for at least 20 seconds or hand sanitizer used as frequently as practical and always after touching common surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, gate handles or latches.
· Hand sanitizer will be available at all fields during all events in sufficient amounts to supply all players, coaches, volunteers and families. Players will also be encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer for personal use
Mask Guidelines:
· This mask policy is a bit more restrictive than the 2020 season and we ask for your patience and understanding. Compared to Summer 2020, COVID-19 numbers in our community are higher, mask use is more widespread and our kids are now in school making the consequences of an unintended exposure that much greater. With this in mind the mask policy will be:
o Masks will NOT be required of players while on the field and actively participating in a game or practice
o Masks or face coverings will be required on all players while in a dugout or other designated non-playing team area
o While on the field meeting, talking or cleaning up all players should be masked
o Masks or face covering will be required for coaches at all times both on the field and off
o Mask use will be strongly encouraged but not absolutely required of spectators. Those who choose not to wear masks must keep 6 feet social distance from all others who are not from their same household
On-Field Guidelines:
· Players encouraged to present on-time but no more than 30 minutes before scheduled game/practice time
· No pre-game meeting at home plate with coaches and umpires
· New balls will be used every two innings
· Foul balls will be retrieved by players, not spectators.
· Measures must be taken to prevent all but the essential contact necessary to play the game. This includes refraining from handshakes, high fives or group celebrations
· No handshake line at the end of games. Instead players will line up outside dugout and tip hands toward the other team
· High touch surfaces will be cleaned by coaches after each event including dugouts, fences, gate latches, benches and bleachers
· Field must be vacated no later than 20 minutes or sooner after the end of each game
Equipment
· If any players does not have individual equipment, team equipment will be used and then disinfected after each use
· Players will bring their own beverages and these drinks will not be shared
Dugout
· Given open air structure of dugouts on Coach Pitch and Minor’s fields, their use will be allowed this season. While inside the dugout, masks should be worn and 3ft distance kept.
· Majors Field Dugouts are enclosed and therefore the following will apply
o Only 1 coach inside dugout at a time
o Only 2 players inside dugout at a time
o When not on the field, players will be assigned spots outside the dugout.
Players
· Will be encouraged by coaches at all times to maintain social distance amongst each other
· When social distancing not possible face covering will be worn
· If using shared equipment will need to be sure it has been recently disinfected
· Bring, identify and touch only their own beverage
Coaches
· Minimize numbers of coaches and assistants for games practices
· Maintain communication of expectations, plans and progress with parents
· Persistently monitor and remind players of social distancing precautions/procedures
· Disinfect multi-use items
· Minimize exchange of scorecards and pitch counters
Umpires
· Plate umpire will call balls and strikes from behind home plate
· Field umpires will keep at least 6 feet distance from each other and players
· Will not touch baseballs
· Will not retrieve passballs or foulballs
· Equipment inspection will be visual only
Family Members/Fans Guidelines
· Take players’ temperatures before game
· Monitor for and report any signs of illness in participants
· Fans at games will be limited to household members or immediate family of players
· Must watch games from car or own chairs along fences or down foul lines
· Maintain 6 feet distance between families and groups
· Ensure arrival no more than 30 minutes before scheduled start time and exit within 15 minutes of conclusion
Restroom Guidelines
· Public restrooms will be available this season
· Use limited to 1 person or family at a time
· Will be cleaned and disinfected as frequently as possible, players fans and volunteers should use sanitary techniques as in any restroom
Concession Stand
· Will be open this season
· Will adhere to all Health Department and CDC guidelines