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Revised as of July 2, 2020

@ 11:00am

AAA, AA, A/Recreational

The following rules and regulations will govern play in the 2020 Gopher State Summer League (GSSBL) for the duration of the six-week season from July 6 through August 14, 2020. This list of rules and regulations is NOT intended to cover all of the playing rules, but rather highlight those areas that are referenced most often by the coaches, players and participants. In general, the GSSBL has adopted the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules, except where modified below.NOTE: All coaches, players, parents/spectators and umpires MUST adhere to the Play: Back to the Diamond Youth Baseball/ COVID-19 Safety Guidelines found on page 10-12 of this manual. Respect the Game, Respect the Guidelines!

I. PLAYER REGISTRATION/ELIGIBILITY

Players in their respective age groups must not reach the next age before May 1, 2020. It is permissible for a player to play up from their designated age division, but they may not play down. A player may only be rostered on one team in the GSSBL. There is a roster limit of 18 players per team.

II. PHILOSOPHY OF THE LEAGUE

A. Keep the integrity of this great game of baseball in mind during the Gopher State Summer Baseball League. Play only those players who are rostered with your team. All players, coaches and spectators are to behave in a manner that reflects the positive FUN associated with the game. Unsportsmanlike conduct will result in removal from the league without a refund. Exhibit good sportsmanship and you could become a Youth 1st Team Award Winner at the end of the season! (See details on page 7.)

B. Provide equal playing time for ALL participants regardless of ability. The focus of this summer league is participation and player development. NOTE: It is the responsibility of all coaches to find equal playing time defensively for rostered players. Remind yourself that the success of the league is NOT measured by wins and loses, but rather by the level of improvement and enjoyment the athletes receive. Everyone will benefit from this league if we remember that this is for the kids and the focus of this league is their development as an athlete and as a person.

C. Encourage your athletes to play as many positions as possible.

III. FIELD DIMENSIONS FOR COMMUNITY FIELDS

A. The following base lengths are recommended: 9, 10 year old—60 feet 11 year old—60-70 feet (MYAS recommends 65’) 12 year old—70-75 feet (MYAS recommends 75’) 13 year old—75-82 feet (MYAS recommends 75’) 14-19 & Under—90 feet

B. The following pitching distances are recommended: 9-11 year old—46 feet 12 year old—50-54 feet (MYAS recommends 52’) 13 year old—52-54 feet (MYAS recommends 52’) 14-19 & Under—60 feet, 6 inches

NOTE: For a variety of reasons, at the younger age levels the base and pitching rubber distances vary in length from one city to the next. Be prepared to be flexible, but do not compromise safety.

1. IV. EQUIPMENT

A. Shoes: Metal spikes are prohibited in the 9-12 year old leagues; they may only use molded cleats or tennis shoes. Players in the GSSBL 13-19 year old leagues are allowed to use metal spikes.

B. Bats : Please see the MYAS/Gopher State Bat Standards on pages 8 & 9 of this manual.

C. Chest Protectors: The new NOCSAE standard for chest protectors in catcher’s gear is not required. However it is highly recommended.

D. Uniforms: Teams will not be penalized during league games for not complying with each article of Rule 1.4 of the NFHS , pertaining to Uniforms (including uniform pants, jersey, visible undergarments, sock, stockings, caps and headwear, due to the circumstances this pandemic has caused. Teams must be in compliance with NFHS Rule 1.4.1 during league play: “Uniforms of all team members should be of the same color and style. Caps and shoes are required equipment (no track spikes allowed). When a player is required to wear a head protector, it replaces the cap as mandatory equipment.”

E. : Each team must supply one new baseball for the start of each game (additional baseballs to be supplied alternately as needed). The official baseball for the MYAS/GSBL is Diamond and they are available for sale at www.myas.org.

V. GENERAL RULES

A. There is a 10-minute mandatory warm-up for practice. 1. The home team will take the infield at 30 minutes before game time. 2. The visiting team will take the infield at 20 minutes before game time. 3. The last 10 minutes is for to get ready and for coaches and umpires to have a pre-game. 4. The will be used for practice with whiffle balls or fly balls for outfielders.

B. Each team is responsible for supplying game balls while they are the fielding team (Additional balls are to be supplied as needed.)

C. The home team will keep the official scorebook.

D. Line markings, field dragging and bases are the responsibility of the home team.

E. Courtesy Runners: A courtesy runner (the last runner to be put ) will be allowed only for the catcher and only when there are two outs. Projected substitutions are not allowed. Exception: Courtesy Runner(s) for an injured player will be the player making the most recent out.

VI. CONTINUOUS BATTING & FREE SUBSTITUTION (See Exception)

A. All teams must use a continuous and implement free substitution at 9u-13u. It is highly recommended that all teams at 14u-17/19u also implement continuous batting order and free substitution.

B. Districts involving teams at ages 14u-17/19u will have the option to use free substitution and continuous batting or NFHS Rules. This must be declared to the and the opposing head coach prior to the start of the game and will continue for the remainder of that game.

Each team’s lineup must list a minimum of nine players to start a game. A game will be forfeited to the offended team when a team is unable to provide nine players to start the game or cannot provide eight players to finish the game (NFHS Rule 4-4-1f).

1. A“rostered” player may be placed at the end of your lineup if he/she is not present at the start of the game (this applies to teams that start a game with nine players).

2. An injured batter or runner that cannot continue to participate will be replaced by the last player to be put out. This will end the injured player’s participation for the remainder of the game. 3. An out will be called at that spot in the batting order ONLY if a team drops below nine players.

Exception: The NFHS pitching substitution is in effect for all age divisions. Only a starting may re-enter once (NFHS Rule 3.1.3). 2. VII. PITCHING RESTRICTIONS The Gopher State Summer Baseball League will institute a “ ” for league play. Pitch Counts by Age (both teams must verify “pitch counts” during and after each game).

A. 9u-10u Leagues: A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 75 pitches per day or TWO per game, whichever comes first. 11u Leagues: A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 85 pitches per day or TWO innings per game, whichever comes first. 12U Leagues: A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 85 pitches per day or THREE innings per game, whichever comes first. 13U Leagues: A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 95 pitches per day or FOUR innings per game, whichever comes first. 14U-15U Leagues, a pitcher may pitch a maximum of 95 pitches per day. 17-19U leagues: A pitcher may pitch a maximum of 105 pitches per game

If a pitcher reaches their maximum number of pitches for the day during an at-bat, the pitcher may finish with that batter but must be removed from the prior to the next batter in the lineup.

PENALTY: Violation of the above rule will result in the ejection of the head coach and a potential forfeiture of the game in question.

Submit “” of *OPPOSING TEAM*. Coaches must submit/input the jersey number and number of pitches thrown for each player of the OPPOSING TEAM who pitches during a GSSBL game. Simply input the “pitch count” of the OPPOSING TEAM in the MYAS Portal at www.myas.org within 24 hours after each game is completed. This information should be inputted in the “Report Scores” tab. Pitch Counts will become public information and will be available immediately in the league schedule and standings.

Required Rest/Recovery Days: The required number of days of rest is dependent upon the number of pitches thrown in their previous outing. This rest time allows the pitcher’s arm to recover prior to pitching again.

Pitch Count for 9u-11u Calendar days of Rest Required After Pitching 1-20 0 21-40 1 41-55 2 56-66 3 67 or more 4 Pitch Count for 12u-13u Calendar Days of Rest Required After Pitching 1-25 0 26-40 1 41-55 2 56-70 3 71 or more 4 Pitch Count for 14u-15u Calendar Days of Rest Required After Pitching 1-25 0 26-40 1 41-60 2

61-80 3 81 or more 4 Pitch Count for 17/19u Calendar Days of Rest Required After Pitching

1-29 0 30-49 1 50-69 2

70-89 3

90 or more 4

3. VII. PITCHING RESTRICTIONS (continued)

Additional Pitching Recommendations are found on page 13 of this manual.

Specific Pitch Type & Recommended Age to begin throwing different types of pitches based on musculoskeletal development.

NOTE: Stresses on a pitcher’s arm are caused from overuse, lack of conditioning, improper mechanics of pitching and lack of understanding of proper recovery time.

B. Curve balls will NOT be allowed in the 9-12 year old divisions. 1st offense: —umpire issues a warning and the pitch is declared a “No Pitch” 2nd offense: Dead ball—pitch is called a ball 3rd offense: Dead ball—pitch is a ball and the pitcher is removed from the pitching position for the remainder of the game

C. will not be called in the 9-11 year old divisions, but a fake pitch will be considered a , resulting in a dead ball and all runners advancing one base. The 12-19 year old leagues will be playing by NFHS rules.

VIII.

A. 9-10 year old: A player may lead off and/or steal after the ball crosses home plate. Players may NOT advance home on a pitched at home plate.

11 year old: A player may lead off and/or steal after the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.

12-19 year old: A player may lead off and steal at any time (NFHS rules apply).

B. In the 9-11 year old divisions, a batter may NOT attempt to advance to first base on a dropped third strike. Runners already on base may advance at their own risk. The 12-19 year old leagues will be playing by NFHS rules.

C. In the 9-11 year old leagues, a player sliding head first into home plate will be called out.

D. (NFHS Rule 2.21)

Offensive interference is an act (physical or verbal) by the team :

1. which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play; or 2. when a runner creates malicious contact with any fielder, with or without the ball, in or out of the baseline; or 3. when a coach physically assists a runner during playing action.

E. (NFHS Rule 2.22)

Obstruction is the act (intentional or unintentional, as well as physical or verbal) by a fielder, any member of the defensive team or its team personnel that hinders a runner or changes the pattern of play. A fake tag is considered obstruction.

4. IX. UMPIRES

Umpires will be provided by umpire associations throughout the metro area (please refer to the list of associations providing umpires, as well as game fees on the league homepage at www.myas.org or in your MYAS Portal). It is the host team’s responsibility to verify all home game assignments prior to each play date.

If there is no umpire present for your scheduled game time, please arrange for a mutually agreeable substitute to be used. Substitute umpires should be compensated by the home team.

X. GAME LENGTH FOR 10-19 & UNDER TEAMS

A. 9-12 & Under: 6 innings NEW Scoring Limitation for 9u ONLY: For all league games, the maximum number of runs allowed by a team per is six. If six runs are scored by a team in an inning, the game will stop and that half inning will be over. However, the designated final inning will have unlimited runs for both the home and away teams. 13-19 & Under: 7 innings FOR ALL AGES: No Time Limit for games held on a field on any given night Note: If you are scheduling games on a field in your community where other teams are scheduling league games, please follow a strict 1 hour and 45 minute time limit. If you have not completed an inning at the time the game is called, please revert to the last completed inning to determine the final score. This time limit will allow both teams to exit the ball field in a timely manner prior to the start of the next scheduled game.

B. 9-12 & Under: The 10- rule will take effect after 3½ innings if the home team is ahead, or after four innings if the visiting team is ahead.

13-19 & Under: The 10-run rule will take effect after 4½ innings if the home team is ahead, or after five innings if the visiting team is ahead.

C. If a game is called when the teams have not had an equal number of completed turns at bat, the score will revert to the score at the end of the last completed inning unless the home team, in its half of the incomplete inning, scores a run(s) and equals or exceeds the opponent’s score. In that case, the final score will be recorded as the score when the game is called (NFHS Rule 4-2-3).

D. If weather or darkness interferes with play so the game is called by the umpire but does not reach a regulation game, then it is considered an incomplete game and it will be completed at a later date. The game must be rescheduled 24 hours after it was suspended. Please remember that the umpire’s final decision on weather or darkness cannot be questioned and is a judgment made by them alone with no persuasion from a coach (NFHS Rule 4-2).

E. Any forfeited game must be reported to the league office within 24 hours of the forfeit. The game in question will be recorded as a 6-0 for 9-12u games and 7-0 for 13-17/19u games on the schedule.

XI. STANDINGS

A. The MYAS will record standings for the Gopher State Summer Baseball League. Schedules and other pertinent information about the league will be posted on the league website at http://www.myas.org/baseball/2020- gopher-state-summer-baseball-league-july-august/ (Gopher State Summer Baseball League portion of the MYAS website).

B. BOTH COACHES (or a team representative) must report their scores through the “MYAS Portal” on the www.myas.org website. By utilizing the online score reporting, game scores will immediately be updated on the league website and will also update league standings. Please report your scores within 24 hours of each game’s completion.

C. Any games not reported by the end of the season (that weren’t cancelled due to weather) will be counted as a loss in the final standings. Final day to report scores will be August 16, 2020.

5. XII. LEAGUE STANDINGS AND TIE-BREAKERS

District champions in the Gopher State Summer Baseball League will be determined by the team with the highest winning percentage at the conclusion of the season. Ties in the standings will be broken by the following procedure:

1. Head to head competition (when applicable) 2. Least runs allowed 3. Most runs scored 4. Coin flip

XIII. PROTESTS

A. Protests must be made verbally with the umpire by the offended team at the time of the play and before the next pitch. A fee of $100.00 cash (refunded if upheld) must accompany the protest. All decisions of the GSSBL/ MYAS and the Gopher State Board of Advisors are final.

B. No protests will be allowed in matters involving solely the official’s judgment. Only decisions involving the misinterpretation or misapplication of a rule may be protested.

XIV. COACH/PLAYER/SPECTATOR CODE OF CONDUCT & COVID-19 WAIVER

A. All players/parents and coaches must electronically sign the MYAS Code of Conduct & COVID-19 waiver prior to the start of the season. This must be completed through the MYAS portal prior to participation in this league. All participants in this Summer League will be held responsible for their actions during league play. The Codeof Conduct/Waiver must be completed electronically through the MYAS portal prior to July 6, 2020.

B. All players, coaches and spectators are to behave in a manner that reflects the positive fun associated with the game of baseball. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated, and includes but is not limited to (modified from NFHS Rule 3.3):

* Verbal abuse * Arguing judgment calls * Physical aggression * Profanity * Tantrum-like acts * Confronting/taunting opposing fans, players and/or coaches * Malicious contact

C. Please keep in mind that you are coaching, playing and watching youth baseball. Therefore, unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. Unsportsmanlike conduct will result in removal from the league without a refund. Unsportsmanlike conduct does include verbal/physical abuse or harassment of members of the same team by a coach, player or spectator.

D. Any player, coach or spectator ejected from a game will immediately be removed from the game and must exit the vicinity of the ballpark. Failure to comply with the ejection in a timely manner will result in the game being forfeited. Note: If a player, coach or spectator is ejected from a game, the head coach of that team will be ejected as well.

E. Any player, coach or spectator ejected or removed from a Gopher State Summer Baseball League game due to unsportsmanlike conduct will be suspended for the remainder of any 2020 and 2021 MYAS/Gopher State baseball programming. Anyone ejected from a game may appeal their suspension to the MYAS Baseball Board of Advisors. The ruling from the Board of Advisors is final and is not subject to further appeal.

6. XV. YOUTH 1ST TEAM AWARD WINNERS

The MYAS / Youth 1st strategic partnership creates a Conduct 1st Environment and recognizes teams (players, coaches, parents and fans) that play the game the right way. In addition to reporting scores from each game, teams are asked to provide a yes/no vote of the OPPOSING TEAM in the MYAS Portal at www.myas.org within 24 hours after each game is completed. Each Coach will vote on the following: 1—Did the opposing team meet the Youth 1st Sportsmanship Criteria? 2—Did the opposing team comply and follow the Safe Play: Back to the Diamond guidelines found on page 10 & 11 of this manual.

Teams that receive exemplary marks on both questions during the season will be recognized with Youth 1st Team Awards.

XVI. GAME CHANGES/CANCELLATIONS SYSTEM & PROCEDURE

Game cancellations must be made by the HOME TEAM coach. If you are the home team coach, please follow the cancellation procedure listed below.

If you are sure your games will not be played on your field due to inclement weather, please take the following steps:

1. COMMUNICATE with the other teams that were planning to play on your home field. You must contact each coach as soon as you determine that your field is unplayable.

2. Contact the designated umpire assignor ASAP so they know the games will not be played.

3. Report any cancelled games to the MYAS Staff ASAP.

4. Coordinate rescheduling possibilities with your opponents of cancelled games and notify the MYAS once you have rescheduled your game(s).

NOTE: Any game changes or cancellations reported to the MYAS/Gopher State via e-mail at [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected] on weekdays by 3:15pm will be posted on www.myas.org under “Today’s Cancelled Games” by 4:00pm the same day.

It is the responsibility of the home team coach to notify the visiting team of the cancellation. If the league office is not notified of a cancellation of a game, it will be assumed that the game is still on as scheduled.

Failure of the home team coach to notify the visiting team coach, your umpire assignor, and/or the GSBL office of a weather-related cancelled game will result in a $50.00 league fine assessed to the home team and must be paid before that game can be rescheduled.

7. XVII. MYAS/GOPHER STATE BAT STANDARDS

A. The MYAS/Gopher State baseball programs have adopted the USSSA performance standards. The standards that were implemented prior to the 2012 season encompass the regulation of big barrel (larger than 2¼” in diameter) and small barrel (2¼” or less) bats. These standards must be used in all MYAS/Gopher State baseball programs. As part of the USSSA baseball bat standards, USA Baseball marked bats will be allowed in competition under USSSA standards. All bats must be manufactured by an approved USSSA or USA bat licensee and have the corresponding mark on its taper, or be a qualified BBCOR bat or a wood bat.

B. The USSSA fingerprint of 1.15 BPF is based on fundamental laws of physics that measure the relative performance of bats to be used in USSSA play. A qualified BBCOR bat stands for “ Coefficient of Restitution” and it focuses on how much of a trampoline effect the barrel of a bat has on a ball. Bat manufacturers will have to in effect “deaden” the trampoline bounce that pitched balls experience when a batter makes contact. Basically, aluminum bats will theoretically be the same as wooden bats.

C. The official bat for league play shall be round in cross section, straight in length and measure not more than 36 inches long, including tape or other grip additions to the bat, shall have a knob at the end of its handle, and not be more than 2¼ inches in diameter for small barrel bats and not more than 2¾ inches for big barrel bats at its largest part. Its weight shall not exceed 31 ounces, including tape or grip addition to the bat. The bat shall have a grip of tape or some other material to facilitate holding the bat during the batter’s swing. The grip shall be not less than 10 inches long, nor extend to touch the taper or barrel of the bat.

All required graphics, including USSSA and BPF or USA markings, must be permanent and cannot be applied as decals or by any other method that would allow the key graphics to be easily removed or added to the bat (Rule 7.01C found on page 7 of the January 1, 2015 edition of the USSSA National By-Laws and Rules).

Examples of the USSSA 1.15 BPF fingerprint and USA stamp:

VERIFYING BATS

A team representative must present all bats that will be used by their team in front of their respective prior to the pre-game conference. It is up to the opposing coach to verify that each bat has all required graphics, including USSSA and BPF or USA markings.

PENALTY FOR USING ILLEGAL BAT

First Offense: If the umpire discovers that the bat does not conform to USSSA Rule 7.01C until a time during or after which the bat has been used in play, it shall not be grounds for declaring the batter out and/or ejection from the game. If the umpire discovers that a bat has been used to put the ball in play and before the next legal pitch, the defensive team will have the choice of the result of play or the batter being called out and all runners returning to the base occupied before the pitch.

Second Offense: If a team is found to be in violation of this rule a second time, then the will be ejected in addition to the First Offense penalty.

8. MYAS/Gopher State Bat Guidelines

Listed below are bat specifications for 9-19 year old teams participating in the Gopher State Summer Baseball League in 2020. This specification is in addition to the USSSA Bat Performance Standards. All bats must include the USSSA Mark, USA Mark OR be a qualified BBCOR bat and also MUST follow the size and/or weight differential listed in the chart below.

Maximum Max Weight Age diameter @ Length Example Differential thickest part 9’s-11’s 2¼” Unlimited Unlimited 2½” 2¾” 2⅝”

12’s-13’s 2¼” Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited

2½” 36” or less -10 31-inch bat 2¾” 36” or less -10 cannot weigh 2⅝” 36” or less -10 less than 21 ounces

14’s & 14/15A 2¾” 36” or less -5 32-inch bat cannot weigh less than 27 ounces

15’s, 14/15A & 2⅝” 36” or less -3 32-inch bat 17-19U cannot weigh less than 29 ounces

9. Safe Play: Back to the Diamond Youth Baseball/Softball COVID-19 Safety Guidelines

Mandatory Recommended Best Practices

ARRIVING AND • All participants must maintain six feet distance from • Participants should enter and leave the field in a any other person. timely fashion and not congregate. LEAVING THE • Practice and game start times must be staggered, so a • Team meetings should occur virtually or over VENUE team has left the field before the next team arrives. the phone, rather than a team huddle. • Whenever possible, everyone should enter and exit • Hand washing or hand sanitizing, when soap and through designated areas that are different from each water is not available, is strongly recommended other. when arriving to and leaving the venue. • Prohibit gathering and congregating on and around • Ridesharing should be kept at a minimum. fields.

• Each team is responsible for bringing hand • All athletes must maintain six feet distance, whenever sanitizing products to practices. PRACTICES possible, from any other person. • Each team should sanitize the dugout bench • No more than one team per field for a practice. before, during, and after each practice. • Players and coaches must be separated into pods of 25. • Hand sanitizing is strongly recommended during • Practice groups must maintain distance from each practices. other and not mix during the entire duration. • When there is a play at a base, the runner and • Practice balls must be sanitized before, during, and fielder should resume physical distance after each practice. immediately upon completion of the play.

• All athletes must maintain six feet distance, whenever • Each team is responsible for bringing hand GAMES possible, from any other person. sanitizing products to games. • Batting team must not take the field until the entire • Each team should sanitize the dugout bench fielding team is off the field. before, during, and after each game. • Each team must provide their own balls for when they • Hand sanitizing is strongly recommended during are the fielding team, and they must be sanitized each practices and games. inning. • When there is contact of any kind in the field of • During a game, participants must maintain six feet of play, players should resume physical distance separation in the dugout. Participants not able to be in immediately upon completion of the play. the dugout will be lined up down their respective foul • If your concession stand is open, the people in lines or behind the backstop with six feet of separation. line must maintain six feet of spacing.

• Must maintain six feet distance from any other COACHES person. • Each team is responsible for bringing hand • Repeatedly remind players not to touch their faces. sanitizing products to practices and games and • Up to four coaches, including one COVID-19 safety use of sanitizer between innings is manager, permitted for a practice or game. recommended. • Must conduct a daily symptom assessment and stay • Coaches should ensure the players are adhering home if experiencing symptoms. to social distancing in dugouts and other seating • No spitting, chewing gum or eating sunflower seeds. areas and wearing face coverings while not • No sharing of food or drinks. actively participating on the field of play. • No touch rule – coaches must refrain from high fives, handshake line, and any other physical contact with fellow coaches, opposing coaches, players, umpires, and spectators. A “tip of the cap” will be used as a salute to the opposing team to promote sportsmanship following the game.

10. Safe Play: Back to the Diamond Youth Baseball/Softball COVID-19 Safety Guidelines

Mandatory Recommended Best Practices

• Must maintain six feet distance, whenever possible, • Whenever possible, equipment and personal ATHLETES from any other person. items should have proper sanitation and should • No spitting, chewing gum or eating sunflower seeds. not be shared. If equipment must be shared, • No sharing of food or drinks. proper sanitation should be administered • No touch rule – players must refrain from high fives, between users. handshake line, and any other physical contact with • Batting gloves should be worn whenever teammates, opposing players, coaches, umpires, and possible, especially when handling a bat. spectators. A “tip of the cap” will be used as a salute to • Hand sanitizing is strongly recommended during the opposing team to promote sportsmanship practices and games. following the game. • Wearing a face covering, when not actively participating in the field of play, is recommended.

• Must maintain six feet distance from any other • Face coverings are strongly recommended for all FANS AND person and stay in the designated spectator area parents and spectators. SPECTATORS outlined by the venue. • Only one spectator per player is • No fans or spectators allowed at practices. recommended at games. (Subject to Change) • Must conduct a daily symptom assessment and stay • Hand washing or hand sanitizing, in the absence home if experiencing symptoms. of soap and water, is strongly recommended • No sunflower seeds allowed. during the games. •

• Must maintain six feet distance from any other UMPIRES person. • Must conduct a daily symptom assessment and stay • Face coverings are strongly recommended. home if experiencing symptoms. • Must avoid exchanging documents or equipment with any other person. • Must officiate the game from behind the pitcher’s mound. • No touch rule – umpires must refrain from physical contact with coaches, players, and spectators. A “tip of the cap” will be used as a salute to the teams to promote sportsmanship following the game.

COMMUNICATION • Each team must keep an accurate book of both teams • These guidelines should be communicated to all organizers for dissemination to coaches, AND CONFIRMED including contact information. In the case of someone getting infected this document will be necessary for umpires, and parents and posted at facilities. CASES Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to perform • Venue operators should post signage promoting contact tracing. physical distancing including directing foot • Organizers must post these guidelines at their facilities, traffic and outline spectator areas. where applicable, and disseminate them to all coaches, • Organizers should regularly communicate to umpires, players, and parents. their coaches, umpires, players, and parents • Organizers must contact the MDH about any suspected that they should stay home should they be case of COVID-19 or known exposure. experiencing any symptoms.

11. Safe Play: Back to the Diamond Player/Coach/Parents/Spectator Areas

12. Pitching Recommendations Preventing Injuries in youth baseball pitchers

1. Watch and respond to signs of fatigue (such as decreased ball velocity, decreased accuracy, upright trunk during pitching, dropped elbow during pitching, or increased time between pitches). If a youth pitcher complains of fatigue or looks fatigued, let him rest from pitching and other throwing. 2. No overhead throwing of any kind for at least 2-3 months per year (4 months is preferred). No competitive baseball pitching for at least 4 months per year. 3. Do not pitch more than 100 innings in games in any calendar year. 4. Follow limits for pitch counts and days rest. 5. Avoid pitching on multiple teams with overlapping seasons. 6. Learn good throwing mechanics as soon as possible. The first steps should be to learn, in order: 1) basic throwing, 2) pitching, 3) change-up pitching. 7. Avoid using radar guns. 8. A pitcher should not also be a catcher for his team. The pitcher-catcher combination results in many throws and may increase the risk of injury. 9. If a pitcher complains of pain in his elbow or shoulder, discontinue pitching until evaluated by a sports medicine physician. Inspire youth pitchers to have fun playing baseball and other sports. Participation and enjoyment of various physical activities will increase the youth's athleticism and interest in sports.

References: American Sports Medicine Institute & USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee; http://www.asmi.org/research.php?page=research§ion=positionStatement

Dun S, Loftice J, Fleisig GS, Kingsley D, Andrews JR. A biomechanical comparison of youth baseball pitches: is the potentially harmful? Am J Sports Med. 2008; 36(4):686-692. Fleisig GS, Andrews JR, Cutter GR, Weber A, Loftice J, McMichael C, Hassell N, Lyman S. Risk of serious injury for young baseball pitchers: a 10-year prospective study. Am J Sports Med. 2011; 39(2):253-257. Fleisig GS, Andrews JR, Dillman CJ, Escamilla RF. Kinetics of baseball pitching with implications about injury mechanisms. Am J Sports Med. 1995; 23:233-239. Fleisig GS, Weber A, Hassell N, Andrews JR. Prevention of elbow injuries in youth baseball pitchers. Curr Sports Med Rep 2009; 8(5):250-254. Lyman S, Fleisig GS, Andrews JR, Osinski ED. Effect of pitch type, pitch count, and pitching mechanics on risk of elbow and shoulder pain in youth baseball pitchers. Am J Sports Med. 2002; 30(4):463-468. Matsuo T, Fleisig GS, Zheng N, Andrews JR. Influence of shoulder abduction and lateral trunk tilt on peak elbow varus torque for college baseball pitchers during simulated pitching. J Appl Biomech. 2006; 22(2): 93-102. Nissen CW, Westwell M, Õunpuu S, Patel M, Solomito M, Tate J. A biomechanical comparison of the fastball and curveball in adolescent baseball pitchers. Am J Sports Med. 2009 37 (8):1492-1498. Olsen SJ, Fleisig GS, Dun S, Loftice J, Andrews JR. Risk factors for shoulder and elbow injuries in adolescent baseball pitchers. Am J Sports Med. 2006; 34(6):905-912.Petty DH, Andrews JR, Fleisig GS, et al. Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in high school baseball players: clinical results and injury risk factors. Am J Sports Med 2004; 32:1158-1164.

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