2020 Stoughton Youth Baseball - COVID-19 Safety Guidelines Phase 2

The safety guidelines below are to be enforced before, during and after all baseball practices. These guidelines are in addition to guidelines provided by the CDC, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, as well, as our local recreation department. These safety measures must be strictly adhered to by all players, coaches and spectators to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

PRACTICE GUIDELINES

• Maximum of 25 participants at each baseball field.
  • Participants include players, coaches and spectators.
  • Groups will not be greater than 12 people
• Face coverings should be worn when not on the playing field, cannot socially distance (minimum of 6 ft apart) or in the designated dugout by all players and coaches.
• Practices will be tailored to limit the usage of shared baseballs and maintain social distancing as much as possible.
• For batting cages, no more than one player and coach in each batting cage while practicing social distancing.
  • A max of two players can be waiting outside the cage while practicing social distancing.
• No two teams will be scheduled on the same field without an hour in between the end of one practice and the start of the other.
• Spectators are limited to only the player's parents/guardians.
  • Spectators must remain beyond 1^st and 3^rd base while practicing social distancing (see Figure 1). Face coverings are recommended.
  • The bleacher area cannot be utilized by spectators as the bleachers are considered to be part of the designated dugout area.
• Dugouts (benches) are to be extended to the outside behind the dugout (benches) to the home plate backstop with fencing on both sides to keep spectators separate.
  • This area will be marked for social distancing (e.g. cones, signs, or roped off (see Figure 2).
• Players should have their own helmet, bat, facemask and water bottle.
• Each catcher should have their own catcher's equipment.
• Players must refrain from sharing equipment.
• Players should wear batting gloves as much as possible during practice, especially when handling a bat.
• Coaches will have hand sanitizer and/or wipes available for all participants; however, we encourage each player to have their own hand sanitizer.
• Players and coaches must refrain from any physical gestures of celebrating, including but not limited to high fives, hugs, fist or elbow bumps.
• When social distancing is not possible (e.g. player injury), coaches and players must wear masks and if possible, gloves.
• No seeds, chewing gum or any food that encourages spitting will be allowed.
• Each team will be responsible for cleaning their trash around the dugout area after practice.
• There will be no organized games, scrimmages, or tournaments during Phase 2.
• Players, coaches and/or spectators that are not feeling well or exhibiting symptoms of possible exposure to COVID-19, such as fever must not attend practice until such time as the player, coach or spectator has been tested and/or cleared.
• Encourage coaches/players who test positive for COVID-19 to notify the league and the local Board of Health (LBOH) for purposes of cleaning / disinfecting and contact tracing.
• Restrooms facilities shall be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with state and local guidelines
• Conduct frequent disinfecting of heavy transit areas and high-touch surfaces
• Concessions Stand must follow the Safety Standards for Restaurants

For additional COVID-19 guidance, please visit:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/youth-sports.html

Coaches,

Below is the tentative practice schedule for the start of the 2020 season for Rookies, Minors, Majors and Babe Ruth. (Note: 4 year old clinic and Tball leagues do not have practices prior to the start of the season).

All practices must be scheduled by the league in order to avoid multiple teams trying to practice on a field at the same time. The grid below indicates when your practices are scheduled for each team. Rookies, Minors, Majors can schedule an additonal 3 practices (1 weekday, 2 weekends) for a max total of 11 practices over the course of the 3 week practice schedule heading into the season. Once a team had reached 11 practices they will not be able to schedule any additonal practices.

The head coach must send an email to the league email address at stoughtonyouthbaseball@gmail.com to request additional practices or to make updates to the practices schedule posted below. If you are unable to practice on the dates listed below you must also notify the league so we can make your spot available to others that may be looking to practice.

Requests must only be submitted by the head coach of the team.

The grid below we kept up to date as changes are requested so you can see availability.

Teams and Player information - 2020 Baseball Teams All Leagues

Coaches contact information - 2020 Baseball Coaches information

06/01/2020

Preparations for the 2020 season are in full swing! Not only preparations to comply with any safety guidelines but preparing the fields and ordering equipment and uniforms. We will be placing orders for uniforms on June 15th.

If you are unable to participate this season and have not reached out, please email stoughtonyouthbaseball@gmail.com.

05/21/20

Dear Stoughton/Avon Youth Baseball families,

We hope you are all staying healthy and safe. We thank you for your patience, understanding, and support as we navigate through these unparalleled times. Earlier this week Governor Baker announced his plans for re-opening the state. According to the governor's plan youth sports can resume activities in Phase 2/Phase 3 with specific guidelines.

While we are all very anxious to start, the safety and well-being of our players is always going to be our top priority and we plan on proceeding with caution as move forward with our season. The board of directors met this past week and decided to resume baseball activities starting in mid-July with games targeted to start on August 1^st and ending on September 12^th.

We recognize this season will be different for everyone. We will take all necessary precautions and follow all recommended guidelines set forth by the state and town to provide a safe environment for players, families and fans. Once we understand what is needed, we can appropriately plan and implement the required guidelines before the kids take the fields. We will send out another communication after we receive the new guidelines to inform everyone the changes that will be implemented this season.

At this time the fields will remain closed while we wait for state and town approval allowing youth sports to resume. Thank you for your understanding and we will be in touch soon

Board of Directors

T-Ball Information

• Each team will have 2 games and 1 clinic per week (Mon, Wed & Sat Schedule)
• Season will begin on Saturday, August 1st
• The league will provide each player a shirt and hat which they will keep after the season ends.
• Each player should bring a glove and wear sweatpants or baseball pants to the games and clinic.
• • The league does not recommend players wearing shorts since they will be sliding and running the dirt baselines
• Parents may need to purchase a bat or helmet for your child depending on state guidelines
• • Bats can be purchased at Dicks Sporting Goods, Monkey Sports or other local/online sporting good stores

4-Year-old Clinic information

• The clinics are held on Giles field located inside the baseball complex at 100 Elm Street.
• The season will start on August 1st with the first clinic being after the parade
• • Starting August 1st, the clinic's will be at 12:30pm every Saturday
  • Clinics last one hour and can go an hour and a half depending on how the players are holding up
• The league will provide each player a shirt and hat which they will keep after the season ends.
• Each player should bring a glove to the clinics and wear sweatpants or baseball pants.
• • The league does not recommend players wearing shorts since they will be sliding and running the dirt baselines
• Parents can purchase cleats if they choose, but sneakers are okay as well.
• • No sandals, open toe shoes, or crocks.
• Parents should also apply sunscreen and bug spray if needed
• Parents are encouraged to join your child during the clinic and participate.

Congratulations Babe Ruth Champion - Farley Funeral Home

Manager Brian Walecka, Asst. Coach Wayne Franey

Players - Charlie Caputo, Timothy Chung, Alex Cocuzzo, Dennis DosSantos, Sean Farley, Brad Franey, Cole Franey, Matthew Howe, Liam Joyce, Brandon Large, Dominic Walecka, Owen Weisenberger

Congratulations Major League Champion - Oakland Athletics

Manager Bill Powers, Asst. Coach Steve Alessi, Asst Coach Jerry McLaughlin

Players - Anthony Alessi, Christopher Buckley, Brady Coombes, John Costa, Dustin Edmonds, Chris Lee, Joshua Masuwa, Patrick McLaughlin, Billy Powers, Aiden Rideout, Gabriel Rivera Devon Rossi-Benson

Congratulations 2019 Minor League Champion Giants

Manager John Trocki, Assistant Coach Matt Batchelder, Assistant Coach Don Pohl

Players - Grayson Batchelder, Brady Cohen, Allen Curtis, Brandon Kuznitz, Trevor Martorana, Ryan Pohl, Caleb Shea, Noah Trocki, Mark Wheeler, Orion Young

Special Thanks to all the families, players and coaches for all the time and support that has been put into this season.