Lewiston Maine Baseball

Lewiston Maine Baseball

2020 Safe Play Guidelines

Lewiston Baseball and Softball takes the health and safety of players, coaches and the community seriously. This involves taking precautions to reduce COVID-19 exposure, while factoring in the mental well-being of our athletes during this unprecedented time.

This document sets forth the league’s plan to safely resume the 2020 season in accordance with guidelines passed on to the public by both the Federal and State Centers for Disease Control. It will be the responsibility of participants and their families to help us abide by these guidelines to help prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If a player, coach, or parent does not abide by these guidelines after being educated on how to properly follow them, the league reserves the right to not allow said person to return for the remainder of this season, with the possibility to also include future seasons.

League Education for Coaches, Spectators, and Players

The board will take various steps to educate coaches, players and spectators about COVID-19 exposure risk and practices that should be undertaken to mitigate these risks. The information will be shared via email, virtual coaches meetings, virtual parent information meetings, social media, and signage at the fields.

Parents/guardians of players will be required to sign a waiver/release agreement that states the following:

they understand the risk associated with having their child(ren) play during this active pandemic
they release the league from any liability, regardless of negligence
they agree to abide by the safe play guidelines imposed by the league in an effort to reduce exposure

Signage will be placed at each field warning of COVID-19 risks, and outlining steps to take to reduce such risks, as follows:

Coaches, Players and Spectators are not allowed to enter the facility if they are exhibiting any of the following symptoms: Temperature greater than a 100.4, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, chills, headache, new loss of taste or smell, body rash or muscle aches.
Seniors and other individuals with compromised immune systems should not participate in or attend league events due to risk of infection.
If you are repeatedly coughing you may be asked to leave immediately.
All players, staff, and spectators should practice social distancing by remaining 6 feet apart whenever possible.
All players, coaches, and spectators should wear PPE, such as face masks, whenever social distancing cannot be achieved. Active players on the field are exempted, but not prohibited from wearing a face covering if desired.
Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer upon entering and departing the facility.
Please limit the amount of spectators per player. This will help us reduce the number of persons present, as we are currently limited to 50 people per event (subject to change based on governor mandate).

Team Protocols

Divisions and teams may vary based upon the number of registered players and field availability.
Baseball and softball teams will consist of up to 12 players, with a limit of 3 coaches or 2 coaches and 1 team parent. Tee ball teams will consist of up to 7 players, with a limit of 3 coaches or 2 coaches and 1 team parent.
Coaches will screen players before games and practices. This includes asking the players and/or parent/guardian if the player’s body temperature was taken at home before departing for the field, if they have been exposed to anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days, and if the player or anyone in their home(s) has traveled to another state or country in the last 14 days.
Players or coaches exhibiting any of the following symptoms will be asked to leave immediately and not be allowed to return until symptom-free for 72 hours:
- Temperature greater than 100.4
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Body rash or muscle aches
If it is discovered the questions answered knowingly untruthful, the player will be suspended for the remainder of this season, with the possibility to also include future seasons.
Players will be asked to supply their own helmet. The league has a limited supply for any player who is unable to purchase their own. These helmets will be assigned to an individual player for the duration of the season.
No food, gum, or seeds will be allowed in the dugouts.
Each player is required to supply their own water bottle, clearly labeled with the player’s name. There will be no sharing of water bottles.
Players will only be allowed in the dugout if they are sitting out a defensive inning, or if they are among the next three scheduled hitters in the batting order. The remaining players will stand 6 feet apart, behind the first- and third-baseline fences, outside the field of play. Coaches should remain outside of the dugout.
One coach or team parent should be in charge of making sure protocols are being followed throughout the game and focus on the players following protocols.
Each team will be issued two sets of catcher’s gear. The expectation is there will be no sharing of gear during a single game, notwithstanding player injury. Catchers who do have their own equipment are encouraged to bring and use it, rather than a shared team set.
Catcher’s gear needs to be disinfected as soon as the player removes the equipment, and set aside to dry a minimum of 10 minutes to ensure proper sanitization. This will ensure the equipment is ready for use in case the need arises to have another player fill the catching position.
Any other shared equipment should be wiped down with disinfectant in between use.
Players will not be allowed to lick fingers prior to throwing a ball.
Ball should be wiped down each half inning with disinfectant.
Games should be limited to 90 minutes, with 45 minutes in between games to allow people to disperse before the next group arrives. Other than coaches raking and cleaning the field, fields should be cleared within 15 minutes of the end of the game. Players should not arrive at the field more than 30 minutes before the game starts.
There will be no hand shaking, high fives, or celebratory group hands at the end of a game.
No team celebrations at home plate when a player hits a homerun.
If any conferences are held, all participants are to maintain proper social distance.
Umpire/Manager meetings may occur at home plate with social distancing or proper PPE if needed. No players will be allowed in these meetings. One coach allowed per team.
Adherence to social distancing guidelines shall continue in any post-game meetings with players and coaches.
The umpire may choose to stand behind the pitcher. If they choose to stand behind the catcher, they need to stand deeper in the umpire box to maintain social distancing.
Umpires may wear PPE if they feel it is appropriate.
Hand Sanitizer and disinfectant will be supplied at every game by both teams.

Social Distancing Protocols for Spectators

No parents or spectators will be allowed to stand near the dugouts or players socially distancing themselves outside the dugout.
Spectators should remain along the outfield fence, standing 6 feet apart from other groups of spectators.
If needed, the league will mark out spectator “sitting” areas either by staking or marking the ground.
No pop-up tents allowed.
Bleachers should not be used this season.
Spectators should only watch games with people in their exposure circle. For example, household members and family members to whom they are regularly exposed.
Limit the number of spectators per player per game. We all want to be able to watch our athletes play, but spectators are required to social distance following the governor's order. If a group of spectators is too large, the league reserves the right to require people to leave or go sit in their vehicles and wait for their players.
After games, we ask spectators to stay where they are and let the players come to you. Please do not crowd the field entrances and exits. Keep social distancing until you leave the facility.
PPE should be worn when social distancing cannot be obtained.

In Case of a Positive Case

If a player or coach tests positive for COVID-19, they will not be allowed back on the field until they have been confirmed recovered by a medical body. If the player or coach has not been in contact with others at a league event for longer than 7 days, then nothing needs to be done. The league’s Board of Directors will address any other scenarios as they arise.
Communication and transparency will be important in the event of a positive test. In the event of a positive case, notice of potential exposure will be communicated to the parents of all players.

Contact

Lewiston Baseball
PO Box 1076
Lewiston, Maine 04243

Email: [email protected]

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Lewiston Maine Baseball

Lewiston Maine Baseball

2020 Safe Play Guidelines

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