Unfortunately, we cannot escape the reality of the risk presented by COVID-19. As we are all aware, the guidelines and policies for COVID-19 are very fluid. But one thing is certain, baseball will not look exactly the same as it did this time last year. No postgame high-fives or handshakes; no crowded stands; limited sharing of baseballs, bats and equipment; almost empty dugouts; hard to tell if someone is smiling or frowning. But we will do our best to keep it fun and safe.

Here are the current policies and practices to help us cope with the presence of the COVID-19 virus. Please keep in mind that everything is subject to rapid change as knowledge and guidance evolve.

FACE MASKS/COVERINGS

Regarding who should wear them, it seems that no two sources completely agree, but the following seem to align with best practices.

a)    All adults must wear a mask at all times. 

b)    Children and players under 10 years old (TB1 through MP3) are encouraged to wear a mask, but are not required to do so.

c)     Children and players 10 and older (12U through 18U) are required to wear a mask at all times. While on the field of play, the mask may be dropped below the chin when not engaged in conversation. EXCEPTION: The catcher and the active batter must wear a face covering.

DUGOUTS & Player Distancing

Teeball 1 & 2 (ages 3, 4, 5)

When on offense (i.e., batting),

a)    Start each inning with 3 runners on base (the last 3 who batted).

b)    There should be 1 batter at the plate,

c)     3 players in the dugout (with 1 adult) and

d)    the other players outside the fence (a parent with each child), beyond the dugout, properly distanced and with a coach to queue up the batters as needed. 

When on defense (i.e., in the field)

a)    Play the usual 9 positions, then spread the remaining players out into the outfield. I.e., no one in the dugout.

b)    Parents are encouraged to be on the field, near their child.

TCP & MP1 (ages 6 & 7)

When on offense (i.e., batting),

a)    [Optional, if both managers agree] Start each inning with 3 runners on base (the last 3 who batted).

b)    There should be 1 batter at the plate,

c)     3 players in the dugout (with 1 adult) and

d)    the other players outside the fence (a parent with each child), beyond the dugout, properly distanced and with a coach to queue up the batters as needed. 

When on defense (i.e., in the field)

No more than 3 players in the dugout. Any additional players can be placed in the outfield.

MP2 & MP3 (ages 8 & 9)

When on offense (i.e., batting),

a)    There should be 1 batter at the plate,

b)    4 players permitted in the dugout (with 1 adult) and

c)     the other players outside the fence, beyond the dugout, properly distanced and with a coach to queue up the batters as needed and maintain order. 

When on defense (i.e., in the field)

No more than 4 players in the dugout.

12U through 18U (ages 10 & up)

When on offense (i.e., batting),

a)    There should be 1 batter at the plate,

b)    1 player in the on-deck cage,

c)     4 players (with masks) permitted in the dugout (with 1 adult) and

d)    the other players outside the fence, beyond the dugout, properly distanced and with a coach to queue up the batters as needed and maintain order. 

When on defense (i.e., in the field)

No more than 4 players in the dugout.

PRACTICES

No close-quarter gatherings.

Masks are optional as long as social distancing is observed. 

BLEACHERS & RESTROOMS

Will be sanitized daily or more frequently as needed.

CONCESSION STAND

a)    Additional surface cleaning will be conducted.

b)    Masks will be worn by everyone in the stand.

c)     Minimal staffing will be used.

d)    Maintain social distance while in line.

ACTIVE COVID-19 CASES

Parents, please notify the team manager and the league president if a member of the household is tested positive for the virus. The team manager and the league president will notify, by email, all members of the team. The affected family should self-quarantine for two weeks or until cleared by medical professionals. Other team members can make whatever decisions they deem proper for their family. 

Please make us aware of any instances of flagrant disregard for the safety of others.

BATB Board of Directors

P.S.,

Here is an excerpt from the July youth sports announcement from the State of Texas. Further reading can be found at open.texas.gov.

=============================================

For adults in the workplace or other public spaces, we are confident that if certain measures such as cloth face coverings or non-medical grade masks, respiratory etiquette, frequent hand washing / hand sanitation and environmental cleaning and sanitizing are widely observed, we can then proceed with reopening Texas in a safe and measured way.

However, such protective measures that we can expect from adults are, for a variety of reasons, simply not possible for children and youth to practice in sporting activities.

All of these factors mean that while certain precautions against the spread of COVID-19 can and will be applied to youth sports, the infection control measures that can be put in place in these settings will differ from those that are suitable for other social, business and commercial settings.

Every adult who is responsible for providing care for youth in these settings must be aware of these facts and be willing to comply with the infection control measures that will be in place in these settings. Parents should monitor the health of their children and not send them to participate in sporting activities if they exhibit any symptom of COVID-19. They should seek COVID-19 testing promptly and report results to the program given the implications for other children, families, and staff. Individuals aged 65 or older are at a higher risk of COVID-19. Parents should protect any vulnerable persons who are members of the same household or come into frequent, close contact with individuals who participate in youth sports.

Spectators should maintain at least 6 feet social distancing from individuals not within the spectator’s group. All employees and customers must wear a face covering (over the nose and mouth) wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another individual not in the same household or, for those engaging in physical activities outdoors, wherever the individual is not able to maintain a safe physical distance from others not in the same household.