May 26, 2020:

Bettendorf-Pleasant Valley Youth Baseball practices begin June 1, with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds clearing the way Tuesday for youth sports across the state by lifting the restrictions on gatherings of 10 or more people starting that day.

Social-distancing of six feet still must be observed, and a list of guidelines and adjustments to play is attached to this announcement, as well as posted separately on BPVBaseball.com at https://teampages.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/529046/2020_BPV_CoVid-19_Guidelines.pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=AKIA3I4H7LHCYSRW3D46%2F20200527%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20200527T065133Z&X-Amz-Expires=21600&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Signature=4b3ce9ef1b02d22350399cc3f08a079747e3674977b8840068a1dca0647459e8.

Game schedules and an adjusted league calendar for this season will be announced at a later date as BPV is currently working on finalizing rosters and number of teams in each division. However, BPV hopes to start games as soon as June 15, same as Iowa High School baseball and softball contests.

BPV registrations remain open at https://active.leagueone.com/Olr/Pages/Welcome.aspx?ClubId=14196

If you have yet to sign up, please don’t delay any longer as space is becoming limited in every division. If financial aid is needed, please contact Steve Tappa at tappasteve@gmail.com or 563-676-8111 for details. Financial aid forms also are available at BPVBaseball.com in the “Documents” section of the website.

A copy of BPV’s standard waiver, signed when you register, also has been attached to all emails for review.

If you have signed up, but are uncomfortable with your child participating in the program at this time despite the precautionary guidelines, please let us know if we need to put you on a “waiting list” for a possible return later this summer or fall. You may also unregister for the program by requesting a refund or credit at this time by contacting Tappa or any of the other volunteer board members listed in this announcement.

BPV’s intention is to play as much baseball as possible this pandemic-affected season. But the public health situation remains fluid and adjustments may be necessary, so our charitable organization is thanking you for your continued patience and understanding.

Those interested in sponsoring a team are urged to immediately contact either Dan Escontrias (danesco33@gmail.com) or Tyler Driever (tdriever@mchsi.com).

Those interested in working as an umpire this season should contact Steve Tappa at tappasteve@gmail.com or 563-676-8111.

Among the other key contacts for our various age divisions:
— Coach Pitch (Grades 1-3): Tyler Driever (tdriever@mchsi.com)
— Intro to Kid Pitch (3rd Grade/Advanced): Ron Johns (JohnsRonaldO@johndeere.com or 706-220-7286)
— Minors (Grades 4-5): Matt Wood (mcw1205@aol.com or 563-340-5917)
— Majors (Grades 6-7): Dan Escontrias (danesco33@gmail.com or 563-210-3489)
— Juniors (Grades 8-9): Tyler Driever (tdriever@mchsi.com)
— Seniors (Ages 15-20): Steve Tappa (tappasteve@gmail.com or 563-676-8111)

THE GUIDELINES

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.

FOR 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.

THE WAIVER

LEGAL AUTHORIZATION AND CONSENT

I/We the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the above named participant in the Bettendorf/PV Youth Baseball program give my approval in any and all league activities during the current season.

I assume all risks and hazards from the activities, hold harmless the Bettendorf/PV Youth Baseball Commission or its directors, the City of Bettendorf and its Parks and Recreation Department, the Pleasant Valley and Bettendorf School Districts, the organizers, supervisors, participants and persons coaching, or transporting the participants to and from activities for any claim arising out of injury resulting there from.

It is understood that the Commission carries minimal insurance and any claims are to be submitted on my personal insurance coverage. I hereby waive, release and absolve all above mentioned parties.

I also give my consent to use the likeness and/or name/identity of the above-named participant for purposes of promotional materials or any other type of media produced and/or published by the BPV to promote or publicize the BPV.