May 26, 2020

NOTE: Special guidelines and adjustments adopted ahead of the 2020 season in response to the CoVid-19 pandemic. Culled from several sources, including the state and CDC, these guidelines are subject to review and change.

PRACTICES & GAMES:

— Everyone is responsible for ensuring the physical six-feet social distancing. Coaches and players must adhere to this except when on the diamond/when the ball is in play.

— All participants have the option of wearing Personal Protective Equipment (such as cloth face coverings). However, the pitcher may not wear an all-white face mask.

— Field preparation equipment should be wiped/disinfected before and after each use.

— Players should use their own gloves, helmets, and bats at all times.

— Coaches must sanitize any “shared” equipment (catching gear, batting helmets) before and after each user.

— Players and coaches must bring their own personal drinks to any activity. Drinks should be labeled with the person’s name. If not using a disposable container, individuals should take their own drink containers home each night for cleaning and sanitation.

— No shared drinking fountains, portable hydration stations or shared water coolers may be used.

— Parents are encouraged to provide their players with their own hand sanitizer/disinfectant wipes.

— No spitting, especially of sunflower seeds and gum.

— Attendees should not share any food. Please suspend any “team snack” rituals until further notice.

— Anyone feeling sick is not allowed to attend practices or games.

— Contact BPV and public health officials immediately if a positive case of COVID-19 is reported in a family connected to a team.

— These guidelines are subject to review and change.

PRACTICE-SPECIFIC:

— No Dugouts used for practice. Equipment bags/player items should be lined up against the outfield or infield fence at least six feet apart. NOTE: That’s about one bag between each outfield fence post.

— These guidelines are subject to review and change.

GAME-SPECIFIC:

— Each division will adjust the use of the dugouts during games to promote social distancing. NOTE: In some divisions, there may be no dugout use this season.

— If dugouts are used, teams are still required to throw away all trash after each game. Before entering and after leaving dugouts, teams are also required to wipe/disinfect hard surfaces such as benches and bat racks. NOTE: This complies with the CDC recommendation of a two-step process for cleaning and disinfecting.

— No coaches and umpires meeting at home plate before games.

— Lineup exchange can be made electronically or verbally to avoid contact or gathered through the first pass of the lineup.

— No celebrations involving personal contact. This means: No handshakes, high fives, fist/elbow/chest bumps.

— No team huddles unless socially distanced six feet.

— No post-game handshake lines. Simply offering a congratulatory “Good Game” cheer is fine.

— Players and families should vacate the field as soon as is reasonably possible after the conclusion of their game to minimize unnecessary contact with other players, coaches, and spectators, ideally within 15 minutes. Please no congregating in common areas or the parking lot following a game or practice.

— Spectators are encouraged to bring their own seating/portable chairs and prepare to not to sit in the bleachers.

— The 4-Plex concession stand will be limited to packaged items and to manage sanitary products.

— These guidelines are subject to review and change.

UMPIRE-SPECIFIC:

— Home plate umpires can call balls/strikes behind the pitcher’s mound if they are more comfortable doing this. Note: Participants should understand the strike zone is more inexact from this vantage point.

— All umpires have the option of wearing personal protective gear (face masks or gloves) if they wish.

— Umpires are encouraged to carry their own hand-sanitizer for use when needed.

— If any rules questions arise, coaches and umpires should maintain the appropriate social distance.

— All umpires should have their own personal gear (face masks, chest protectors, shin guards, etc.). If shared gear is needed from a shed, though, umpires are required to disinfect gear before and after use, with special attention paid to face masks.

— Umpires should adhere to social distancing practices when interacting with players, coaches, and spectators off the field of play.

— These guidelines are subject to review and change.