COVID-19 SAFE PLAY GUIDELINES FOR THE 2020 SEASON

The safety guidelines listed below are proposed measures to be taken before, during, and after a Berlin Little league or softball event. This will include any try outs, practice, game or any on field event associated with Berlin Little League. Any and ALL prevention strategies put forth by the CDC or the governor of the State of Connecticut, The Mayor of the Town of Berlin or other local agencies will be strictly followed to promote the safe play of baseball and softball in our community. It is recommended that we entertain AAA and Majors team only as older players would follow the safety guidelines.

Social Distancing- Parents and all spectators will have a viewing area away from the team and away from the backstop. No one will be allowed in the area of the dugout or backstop except team members and players and coaches.

Spectators- It is proposed that the current area designated for spectators be closed to the public. Spectators will be allowed to view games from both sidelines of first and third base starting at the bases and extending to the . This will include the outfield fence from left to right field. Spectators will be required to maintain a 6’ space between the next viewing parties.

• No spectator is permitted to attend games or practices who have an active COVID- 19 infection, known direct contact with a person who tested positive, a fever or a cough. • All are required to adhere to State of CT. regulations in regards to COVID- 19 including but not limited to face coverings and 6’ social distancing. (if any of these guidelines change then we may make modifications at that time) • Based on state regulations there shall not be more than 50 spectators / players / coaches / officials at the field at one time. (this actual number will be determined closer to the June 20th date) • Spectators will sit along fence lines on the 1st and 3rd baselines and stand along outfield fence spaced accordingly on Petit 2, or sit on the outfield bank on Petit 1. Anyone who doesn't maintain social distance guidelines or approaches onto another person space and makes them uncomfortable will be asked to either move or to leave area. • It is the responsibility of every person attending games to adhere to all BLL rules and regulations and to require everyone with you in attendance to adhere to said rules. Teams /Dugout- Teams of 10 to 12 players plus Managers, coaches, and umpires are the only persons to be allowed on the playing field. There will be no more than 3 people in the dugout at any given time. (Coaches and or players). The dugout will be extended to behind the current dugout to the spectator bleachers inclusive. The bleachers will be used for players to sit while team is or for the substitute players. Seats will be marked as to maintain 6’ distance. In addition:

Coaches-

• No coach is permitted to attend games or practices who have an active COVID- 19 infection, known direct contact with a person who tested positive, a fever or a cough. Coaches must wear face coverings at all times

• Coaches shall have temperature taken prior to player contact • Coaches will be responsible for checking player’s temperatures and symptoms and filling necessary documentation. All documentation shall be left at field in binder. • Coaching staff for both teams shall be at field 30 minutes before players to ensure disinfecting prior to kids arriving. No players shall come into dugouts until coaches deem ready and have begun checking temperatures and symptoms.

Players - • No player is permitted to attend games or practices who have an active COVID- 19 infection, known direct contact with a person who tested positive, a fever or a cough. • Little League International highly recommends that players are encouraged to have face coverings on at all times to prevent the potential spread and also to prevent players from touching nose and mouth. The face covering is optional while at bat. • Face coverings will be provided by BLL • Players will sit on bleachers spaced out accordingly. • Players must have water bottles clearly marked with name and must keep them in their assigned sitting area. • Players who do not own a helmet or bat will be issued one by BLL for the season, this will prevent the possibility of transmitting any disease or contamination. • It is recommended that all batters use both gloves during at bats or practice

Game Protocol- At the pregame meeting or any time during the game, coaches and umpires will not be allowed to shake hands or have any physical contact with each other. All persons shall adhere to social distance guidelines. At the conclusion of the game it is strongly recommended to refrain from the sportsman’s line up for the handshake. A tip of the cap or a wave from a distance.

Umpires- Umpires will officiate the game from behind the pitcher. It should be required that the wear an approved face mask or covering. To handle the game balls he/she should wear gloves. In addition:

• No umpire is permitted to attend games who have an active COVID-19 infection, known direct contact with a person who tested positive, a fever or a cough. • umpires shall have temperature taken prior to entering the field • Umpire shall stand behind the pitcher with face covering. Scheduling - • proper spacing of games and practices shall be made to limit the interacting of teams coming and going • multiple fields shall be used when needed

Field - • All players will enter field, regardless of dugout, through the 1st base side where temperature and symptoms will be checked. 1 coach from each team shall be present during this process. • A minimum of 1 league representatives shall be at all games to manage and enforce all BLL rules and regulations. • Field Prep shall be done in the 30 minutes prior to player’s arrival by both teams. • Batting Cages & : in bullpen 1 pitcher, 1 catcher, and 1 coach allowed at a time. 1 player and 1 coach in batting cages and no more than 3 waiting outside cage. • Dugout - Players must have full uniform on including cleats before entering field. Players will maintain 6' distancing entering the field, have temperature and symptoms checked 1 at a time, said player will then hang equipment bag along the inside fence in the bullpen, enter the dugout and hang bat & helmet, grab glove and move to the outfield. This will continue till entire team is present. Dugout will have only the on-deck batter and all other players will sit in bleachers spread out accordingly. The player on deck can stand at the door to the dugout but not enter until the dugout is empty. Each player will have a spot in dugout for their helmet, hat, and batting gloves. • Hand sanitizer shall be provided to each team and also placed in press box and dugouts for during game. sanitizer stations shall be provided for spectators on both sides and also at concession stand • Cleaning supplies shall be given to each team and also placed in press box and dugouts for during games.

Practice - • No player is permitted to attend games or practices who have an active COVID-19 infection, known direct contact with a person who tested positive, a fever or a cough. • Required to have face coverings on at all times to prevent the potential spread and also to prevent players from touching nose and mouth. • All players will enter field through the 1st base side where temperature and symptoms will be checked. Same procedure for practice as used for games.

Games - • No pre game plate meetings between managers and umpires unless a “playoff game”. No players shall ever attend plate meetings. • Batting cage usage will be 1 player and 1 coach at a time in cage and no more than 3 waiting outside cage maintaining 6 ‘separation. • Visiting team shall do pre game first while home team is at batting games and then vice versa. 30 minutes allotted for pre-game. • No Mound visits with entire team. Coach will be allowed to have 1 to 1 meetings with players as needed. Mound visit rule stays as written per BLL rules and no more than 2 position player meetings per . • No stealing. Players will be given 1 base for a pass ball but home will not be awarded on a pass ball. • the offensive team players will be required to have face coverings on at all times in the field and while on the bases, they are optional when at bat. • The defensive team players are encouraged to wear their face coverings in the field at all times to help stop the players from touching nose and mouth. At the end of the inning all players running on and off the field shall have face coverings on.

Equipment- Each team shall provide their own /softballs when on the field. Each team shall be responsible for changing out baseballs and sanitizing them between each inning as best as possible. It is strongly recommended that each team have sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to use before, during and after the game or event. Bats shall be wiped down prior to each use. In addition:

• There is to be no sharing of equipment. All players will be required to have their own equipment i.e. glove, bat, helmet, batting gloves, etc. • If a player has a financial hardship then the league will make reasonable arrangements for needed equipment. • Each team will be provided with 2 sets of catcher’s gear that must be disinfected after each use. Said gear shall be left at field is possible. • All players will be issued a face covering which will be considered part of the uniform and worn at all times face covering is optional when at bat. Extra face coverings will be kept in the press box. 4 face coverings will be given to each team for coaches.

Concession Stand - • We will have no concession stands this season

Bathrooms - • only 1 person allowed in bathrooms at a time • bathrooms shall be cleaned by the league prior to start of each and every game

Signage on the field- Signage shall be posted around the field to designate spectator and player areas and as reminders to maintain social distancing. Press Box- Limit access to the press box to 2 individuals for game announcements and score keeper. This should be a home team person or league member (s).Announcer will also present the rules of play and spectatorship prior the start of each game.

• No kids allowed in the press box • All equipment to be sanitized prior to the start of each game

What supplies are needed?

• Liquid sanitizer in bottles for hands • Sanitizer wipes for bats and field equipment • Signage for the field designated areas • Masks for players, coaches and umpires • Cones or Yellow marking tape • Spray disinfectant

Additional rules

• NO car pooling • NO sharing drinks or food • NO high fives..... clapping only • NO spitting • official scorebook kept in press box by official score keeper • NO sunflower seeds or gum chewing • NO licking of fingers i.e. pitchers • broadcast game to try to limit spectators at field • limited attendance to essential volunteers and limited family members • banners on both bleachers clearly stating BLL field rules and regulations • Any player, coach, or official who travels outside of CT will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days prior to coming back to the team. • each team must use their own baseballs, so baseballs will be switched every half inning • any player, coach, official, umpire, or family member who test positive for Coved 19 shall notify BLL immediately • NO team parties or get togethers outside of practice or game