RHLL GUIDELINES TO SAFE PLAY 2020

The safety guidelines listed below are measures to be taken before, during, and after a Rocky Hill Little league baseball, softball or challenger event. This will include any try outs, practice, game or any on field event associated with Rocky Hill Little League. Any and ALL prevention strategies put forth by the CDC, State of Connecticut, The Town of Rocky Hill or the Central Connecticut Health District will

be strictly followed to promote the safe play of baseball and softball in our community. These guidelines are subject to change at any given moment based on the criteria set forth by

Federal, State, Local, and Town officials in regards to the Covid-19 pandemic. Reopen Connecticut Phase 2 Sector Rules

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DECD/Covid_Business_Recovery-Phase-2/Sports_FitnessCenters-_C4_V1.pdfThe criteria set forth in the “Reopen Connecticut” document noted above along with the National Little

League Resumption guide (link below) have provided us with the foundation for Play in 2020.https://www.littleleague.org/downloads/season-resumption-guide/

This document will also be posted on our official COVID page http://covid.rhllct.com that is a part of or RHLLCT.com website and kept up to date according to new guidelines as they are released.

Safe Play 2020 Guidelines•No Coach, Player, Umpire, League Official or 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.

•Each field will be limited to two teams, the coaches and the officials. Spectators will be asked to stay within the viewing spaces made available to them.

•All Players, Coaches and Spectators are required to adhere to State, Local, and Town guidelines in regards to COVID-19 including but not limited to face coverings and 6’ social distancing.

• It is the responsibility of every person attending games to adhere to all RHLL rules and guidelines.

•Any player, coach, official, umpire, or family member who tests positive for Coved-19 shall notify RHLL immediately to prevent potential spread.

•Violating the guidelines presented by the RHLL Board will result in disciplinary action as deemed appropriate.

SCREENING

• Event organizers, staff, coaches, players, umpires/officials must conduct daily symptom assessments (self-evaluation).

• The Head Coach will check with every coach and player prior to game on general wellness.

Transportation/Snacks/Hydration• Athletes are strongly recommended to travel to the venue alone or only with

members of their immediate household, if possible. Face coverings are strongly recommended for individuals traveling to and from the venue, walking in and out of the venue, and while not actively participating.

• Post game gatherings and group snacks will be prohibited.

• Players and Coaches are not allowed to have snacks, candy, seeds, or gum while participating in a RHLL event unless medically necessary.

• No team parties or get togethers will be allowed outside from practice or games.• All players and coaches shall bring their own water bottles. Water bottles shall not be

shared. • Water bottle shall be kept with each players equipment in their own designated area.

SHARED EQUIPMENT

• Ensure athletes do not share equipment to the most extent possible. If shared, clean and disinfect frequently.

• Each team shall be provided with 2 full sets of catchers gear which shall not be shared unless disinfected first.

• There shall be no sharing of helmets, gloves, or batting gloves.

• Teams will be provided with extra equipment (bats, helmets, etc.) as needed.

GAME BALLS

•Will be disinfected before and after every clinic, practice, and game.

• Gamedays- Balls will be rotated and disinfected frequently.

• Balls hit out of play should be returned to a Coach for proper disinfecting

Fields

•Field Prep shall be done in the 30 minutes prior to player’s arrival by both teams.

•Players will place their equipment in designated areas by bleachers and in dugout.

•Each player will have a spot for their helmet, bat, and batting gloves. All other equipment shall be placed in their spot on bleachers and along fence by bleachers.

•Bullpen: 1 pitcher, 1 catcher, and 1 coach allowed at a time.

•Batting Cages:1 player and 1 coach in batting cages and no more than 3 waiting outside cage. Coach picks up all balls behind L-Screen and player picks up all balls in front of L-screen.

DIMAURODesignated Area for Players, Coaches,

Umpire, and RHLL Staff

The area marked out will be utilized only by players, coaches, umpires, and RHLL staff for equipment storage and

player safety. The bleachers will be the primary locations for players to sit. This area will be marked off with cones and

caution tape.

DIMAURODesignated Area

for SpectatorsThe white boxes show designated sitting areas spaced according to currents regulations for social distancing. These areas will be marked off with painted boxes on the grass. It is the spectators responsibility to adhere to all guidelines set forth by this document and in accordance with state, local, and town regulations.Any spectator who doesn’t adhere to these guidelines will be asked to move to a different area or to leave the area / field.

VICINODesignated Area for Players, Coaches,

Umpire, and RHLL Staff

The area marked out will be utilized only by players, coaches, umpires, and RHLL staff for equipment storage and

player safety. The bleachers will be the primary locations for players to sit. This area will be marked off with cones and

caution tape..

VICINODesignated Area

for SpectatorsThe white boxes show designated sitting areas spaced according to currents regulations for social distancing. These areas will be marked off with painted boxes on the grass. It is the spectators responsibility to adhere to all guidelines set forth by this document and in accordance with state, local, and town regulations.Any spectator who doesn’t adhere to these guidelines will be asked to move to a different area or to leave the area / field.

• DUGOUTS, BENCHES, BLEACHERS • Are for Players and Coaches only and will be thoroughly cleaned before and after

every use.

• PARENT SEATING AREA • Parents are allowed to sit in designated viewing areas around the outfield and must

follow strict distancing guidelines.

• CROWD CONTROL• Staff should assist with crowd control by reminding spectators to maintain social

distancing when queuing at the gate or other common areas. Spectator compliance with social distancing should be encouraged through periodic announcements or audio recordings. • Individuals shall not congregate in common areas or parking lots following an event or

practice.

Press Box• The Press Box will be limited to 2 people maximum at all times. If able 1

adult will run the scoreboard and 1 will be the official scorer. This will free up coaches from having to score the game and be able to supervisor players better.

• Only people approved by the managers of that game are allowed in the press box.

• All equipment shall be cleaned before and after each game.

PRACTICE• Coaches should keep players in small groups at practice to allow for physical

distancing. • Practices will be scheduled with at least a 15 minute buffer to prevent

overlap of participants, and allow for time to clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces.• Only Coaches and players will be allowed on the field.

• Parents are not allowed to gather in the areas designated for coaches and players. (see previous slide for examples).

Examples of Proper Distancing for Practice Activity

Examples of Proper Distancing for Practice Activity

Baseball is a great activity to keep kids distanced

Game Day Procedures

• Arrival/Pregame• Teams arrives 45 minutes before the game• Coach will assist players in finding a dedicated spot for their equipment• Only 1 player and 1 coach from each team will be allowed in the batting cage area at one

time• Warmups for each team will occur on their own side of the field

• Field Warmup: • Visiting team: 30 minutes before the game (15 minutes)• Home team: 15 minutes before the game (15 minutes)• When teams are taking infield the opposing team will wait in their designated spots on the

bleachers

GameDay• Game Play• Only on deck and in the hole batters will be allowed in the dugout (properly distanced).

• All other players will remain in the bleachers (properly distanced).

• 3 Coaches will all maintain the proper distance between players and each other

• Post game high fives will be replaced with clapping or tip of the hat.

• Players will not huddle at any point during the game/practice.

• Sportsmanship will continue in a touchless manner – no handshakes/slaps/fist bumps after games

PERSONAL PROTECTION FOR COACHES / STAFF / ATHLETES / SPECTATORS

• Coaches and staff are required to wear a face mask or cloth face covering when unable to easily, continuously, and measurably keep 6 ft of physical distance from others, unless doing so would be contrary to his or her health or safety due to medical conditions. Athletes are encouraged to wear face coverings when not engaged in active play. While engaged in the active play of sports or strenuous activities, athletes do not need to wear a face covering. However, athletes shall wear face masks at all other times.

• Spectators are required to bring and wear masks or cloth face coverings that completely cover the nose and mouth unless doing so would be contrary to his or her health or safety due to a medical condition.

Protocol if a Player, Coach, Parent, or League Official tests COVID-19 Positive

1. Notify RHLL Safety Officer (safety@rhllct.com)2. RHLL will notify local Public Health Department for appropriate guidance3. RHLL will comply with local Public Health Department guidance and

recommendations to reduce the spread