Operating Guidelines Plan for Socially Distant Baseball and Softball Operations at Bayshore Little League for Fall 2020 Season - AWS

Operating Guidelines

Plan for Socially Distant
Baseball and Softball
Operations at Bayshore Little
League for Fall 2020 Season

Overview:
•   Continual Monitoring:
     •   The Bayshore Little League Board of Directors is actively monitoring guidance around the coronavirus from the
         city of Tampa, the city of Tamp Parks & Recreation Department, Florida District 6, Little League International,
         and the CDC. The following frequently asked questions details our on-going response to the COVID-19 situation,
         and will be updated with new information as it becomes available.

•   Overview
     •   Bayshore Little League is committed to helping impart life lessons to children of our community while continually
         demonstrating the ideals and qualities of good sportsmanship through 1) Teamwork, and discipline, 2) Honesty
         and loyalty, and 3) Courage and respect for authority so that they may be well adjusted, stronger, and happier
         children.
     •   This document outlines the process and procedures the Bayshore Little League is undertaking in order to reopen
         the Davis Islands & Hyde Park facilities to our registered families and approved volunteers focusing on three
         guiding principles:
          • Health and Safety Remains at the Highest Priority
          • Health and Safety is Held to the Exceptionally High Standards
          • The Bayshore Little League Overall Experience Continues to Meet Our Standards of Excellence

Goals & Key Strategies:
•   Goals
     • Safely and successfully reopen and operate Bayshore Little League following a temporary facility closure in
        support of our community’s efforts to flatten the curve of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

•   Key Strategies:
     • Implement new operational procedures in support of physical distance requirements
     • Modify the physical facilities to effectively safeguard approved volunteers, players and families throughout the
         ballpark in support of physical distancing requirements, and maintain the highest levels of cleanliness.
     • Adjust operations to ensure the highest levels of health and safety are maintained.
     • Effectively communicate safeguards taken and updated policies and procedures to approved volunteers, players
         and families.

     This plan is designed to create a safe environment for players, coaches, umpires, volunteers, and members of their
     household or immediate family while they are participating in youth baseball and softball activities at the Bayshore
     Little League complex’s at Davis Islands and Hyde Park.

Universal Guidelines:
All persons using Bayshore Little League facilities (coach, player, volunteer, umpire, spectators, employee)
must abide by these universal guidelines while at the facilities.

•   If you or a member of your household are sick, please stay home.

•   If you or a member of your household becomes sick or begins experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, notify Bayshore
    Little League.

•   Practice social distancing (minimum of 6 feet distance) when outside at all times when not around your immediate
    family or other household members. When not able to socially distance, wear a well-secured face covering that
    covers your nose and mouth (PPE).

•   When inside, wear PPE.

•   Frequently wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer, especially after touching surfaces
    (doorknobs, light switches, gate latches, handles, etc.).

•   No spitting, eating of sunflower seeds, or chewing of gum on the premises.

Operational Guidelines:
We will only implement this plan after applicable state and local restrictions have been lifted. This plan is in addition
to(not in lieu of) our current safety (ASAP) plan.

•   The plan will be reviewed regularly and adjusted for effectiveness or if/when government guidance changes.
•   The plan provides guidelines, but we cannot always guarantee adherence by all participants.
•   Families should make their own choices on participation in the best interests of their family and players.
•   The plan is focused on minimizing risk while still allowing for fun competition.
•   The best protection for our players and families is for parents to keep players and family members home if showing
    any symptoms of illness. IF YOU’RE SICK –PLEASE STAY HOME!
•   Players, coaches, families, and fans should follow all CDC guidelines, including wearing a mask, while in the park.
•   Players, if they desire, may wear a mask while on the playing field.
•   All players are required to wear a face covering while in the dugout areas.
•   The safety guidelines included in this plan will be communicated on the BSLL website, in targeted emails to player
    families, and on signage throughout the park.

Socially Distant                  Marina Field

Little League

                                                 Minors Field
                                                                 Tee & Farm
Davis Islands Facility

Please make sure that you
allow for Social Distancing for
all Players and Fans
                                                                              Majors Field
throughout the complex

                                                 Batting Cages

Socially Distant
Little League

Hyde Park Facility                Hyde Park Field

Please make sure that you
allow for Social Distancing for
all Players and Fans
throughout the complex

Health & Safety: Sanitizing
•   Bayshore has installed sanitizer stations throughout the park. You will find them
    around the clubhouse, concession stands, batting cages, restrooms and in every
    dugout.
•   All players, coaches, and umpires must sanitize before entering the field of play.
•   A container of large alcohol wipes will be in each dugout to wipe down equipment.
•   Team coolers will not be used.
•   Each player should bring their own water bottle.

Social Distancing
•   All players are required to wear a face
    covering while in the dugout areas.

•   Players hang their bags and keep their
    equipment and should stay on the bench
    or waiting their turn to bat.                 Majors Field

•   Spectators are limited to fifty (50) total
    persons at each field, including teams in
    play.

•   Fans and families should be limited to one
    (1) person per household per field of play.

•   Fans and families will be reminded to
    maintain a safe distance from other
    spectators in the stands and throughout
    the park. Their attendance at practices
    and/or games may be restricted if safe
    distancing requirements cannot be met.

Health & Safety: Coach/Volunteer Guidelines

•   Coaches, managers, and other assistants follow these guidelines.
•   Disinfect multi-used items (bats, helmets) if players do not have their own.
•   Minimize number of coaches and assistants for games/practices.
•   Clean/disinfect team equipment.
•   Clean/disinfect high touch surfaces before and after games/practices.

Health & Safety: Player Guidelines
•   Players are to follow these guidelines at all times.
•   When not in the field, they must wear PPE if not able to keep social distancing.
•   When in the field of play, wearing PPE is optional.
•   All players are required to wear a face covering while in the dugout areas.
•   Use or touch only their own equipment.
•   If they do not have their own equipment, use team’s which will be cleaned between uses.
•   Bring their own beverage and do not share.

Health & Safety: Umpire Guidelines

•   Umpires are to follow these guidelines at all times.
•   Wear PPE if unable to keep social distancing.
•   Plate umpire will be calling from behind the pitcher’s mound on the grass.
•   Base umpires will keep distance in set-up positions.
•   Umpires will not handle baseballs.
•   Past balls, foul balls will be retrieved by players.
•   Pre-game player’s equipment check is visual only.

Health & Safety: Family Member Guidelines

•   Spectators are limited to fifty (50) total persons at each field, including teams in play.
•   Fans and families should be limited to one (1) person per household per field of play.
•   Household and immediate family members are to follow these guidelines at all times.
•   Household or immediate family only (parents, guardians, brothers, sisters).
•   Bring their own seats and sit along the outfield fence or in their cars.
•   Do not retrieve foul balls.
•   Fans and families will be reminded to maintain a safe distance from other spectators in the stands
    and throughout the park. Their attendance at practices and/or games may be restricted if safe
    distancing requirements cannot be met.

Health & Safety: Equipment Guidelines
•   Guide to equipment use at all times.
•   Players are not to share their equipment.
•   Players who need equipment, will use team’s equipment.
     • If team equipment is used, it must be disinfected after each use.
•   Equipment bags are to be placed outside of dugout separated from each other.
•   Players must bring their own beverages.
•   New baseball/softball must be used every 2 innings.
•   Warm-up baseballs between innings must be the same.

Health & Safety: Game Guidelines
•   Pregame, in-game, and post game guidelines to be followed at all times..
•   Show up maximum of 30 minutes before game time.
•   Game field must be exited completely and cleaned by previous teams before new teams enter the
    field and dugouts.
•   15 minute maximum pre-game warm-ups for each team.
•   No pre-game meeting at the plate with umpires and coaches.
•   New baseball/softball every 2 innings.
•   Between innings warm-ups must use same ball.
•   Foul balls will be retrieved by players only, not spectators, not coaches, not umpires.
•   If touched by another, the ball will be disinfected before being reintroduced.
•   All high touch surfaces must be sanitized before any other team is permitted on the field or in the
    dugout.

Health & Safety: Post-Game
•   No player contact is allowed at any time, including high fives, fist bumps, and the player handshake at
    the end of the game.
•   Teams line up down first and third base lines and tip caps.
•   Sanitize upon exiting the field.
•   Players and families are asked to leave the field within 15 minutes of game concluding.
•   Clean and disinfect common contact points of field.
•   Dugouts, fences, gate latches, benches, bleachers, etc.
•   Must leave premises no later than 20 minutes after the end of the game.

Go Bayshore!