REVISED SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Green Phase Baseball and Softball Requirements
The safety of our players and community is our top priority. We have developed this plan based on guidance from the CDC, state, county & local government officials as well as Little League International.
Testing, Tracing & Disclosure Requirements
Players and Coaches should have a COVID-19 Symptom Screen and their temperature taken daily at home before practices/games and should NOT participate if they have COVID-19 symptoms or have a fever of 100.4°F plus.
A COVID-19 Symptom Screen tests for the following: fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, and altered taste or smell. The only exception would be a runny nose from allergies, which should improve with usage of allergy medications.
If a player or coach is symptomatic or has a fever of 100.4°F plus, the family should notify their team Manager immediately who must in-turn email the team AND Safety Officer, Dr. Jason Huffman, at <[email protected]>. Team practices/games with remaining players and coaches may continue following disclosure.
If a player or coach is symptomatic or has a fever of 100.4°F, they should NOT participate until after 3 days with no fever AND 10 days since the fever appeared - OR - the individual has no symptoms AND receives two negative COVID-19 test results in a row, at least 24 hours apart.
If a player or coach is positively diagnosed with COVID-19, the family should notify their team Manager immediately who must in-turn email the team AND Safety Officer, Dr. Jason Huffman, at <[email protected]>. Team practices/games with remaining players and coaches may continue following disclosure.
If a player or coach is positively diagnosed with COVID-19, they should NOT participate until 10 days have passed since a positive test with no symptoms - OR – the individual has no symptoms AND receives two negative COVID-19 test results in a row, at least 24 hours apart.
If a player or coach is exposed to someone else who is positively diagnosed with COVID-19, the family should notify their team Manager immediately who must in-turn email the team AND Safety Officer, Dr. Jason Huffman, at <[email protected]>. The player or coach should NOT participate until 10 days have passed following exposure - OR - the individual has no symptoms AND receives two negative COVID-19 test results in a row, at least 24 hours apart. Team practices/games with remaining players and coaches may continue following disclosure.
An example of “exposure” would be <6’ proximity to a person diagnosed with COVID-19 without appropriate face coverings by either individual inside an enclosed space for an extended period of time. Games and practices would not be considered “exposure” due to the safety precautions in-place.
Safety Officer, Dr. Jason Huffman, <[email protected]> will communicate all confirmed cases to the Bucks County Department of Health and will seek any necessary guidance from the Department on a case-by-case basis.
Green Phase Restrictions
Baseball and softball are both considered to be “Limited-Contact” sports, but COVID-19 safety requires further measures be enforced to assure a safe return to play. Specifically:
1. All participants, players, coaches and observers, must continue to maintain 6’ physical distancing whenever possible.
2. Umpires are permitted to call balls & strikes from behind the plate if they wear masks/shields.
3. Activities will be outside. Dugout use will be limited as an access point to the field of play.
4. Players normally in the dugouts will be seated in the stands or other designated open-air locations maintaining a minimum of 3’ distancing. Players may bring their own chairs for personal use.
5. Shared equipment is NOT permitted. Players must bring their own helmets, bats, gloves & drinks.
6. Shared team catcher’s equipment will disinfected by the coaches before being used by another player. No Catcher’s equipment for Coach-Pitch/Transition or below.
7. Player’s personal equipment bags will be lined-up on fences 6’ apart.
8. Balls will be cleaned using alcohol-based disinfectant by coaches after each practice/game.
9. Coaches shall wear face coverings whenever applicable and possible per Little League guidelines.
10. Players should wear face coverings when in close contact areas and in places where recommended social distancing is challenging. Players will be permitted but not required to wear a face covering on the field.
11. Observers should wear face coverings when unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet from individuals who are not members of their household per PA Dept. of Health.
12. No touch rule – players should refrain from high fives, handshakes, and other physical contact.
13. Alcohol-based hand rub will be applied to the hands of all players before after and as necessary during practice.
14. Spitting, eating seeds, chewing gum, and similar products will be banned from the field of play.
15. 15 minute gaps between practices will be scheduled to ensure sufficient time to sanitize equipment.
16. Tee-Ball Field will be sub-divided with painted markers. Players should remain in their areas. A single family member is encouraged to stay on the field with each player to assist.
17. Players and coaches must wear masks at all times while indoors. A maximum of 15 total persons will be allowed inside the batting cages at any time.
18. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination does NOT grant an exemption to any of these restrictions.
Violations
Violations of these rules will result in disciplinary action up to and including being prohibited from practicing or playing games for the entire season or beyond based on the seriousness of the infraction.
We are taking these safety precautions very seriously. Violations should be reported directly to President, Jim O’Brien at <[email protected]>
