1. Safety is the number one priority
2. Every participant (coaches, managers, volunteers, parents, umpires, etc.) must
sign the National Babe Ruth waiver. Each league needs to maintain a file of
these documents.
3. Every team must be Chartered with National Babe Ruth
4. Every team must have Insurance (it is highly recommended to have coverage for
Directors and Officers on the policy)
5. SCREENING: Event organizers, staff, coaches, parents, players,
umpires/officials must conduct daily symptom assessments (self-evaluation). In
other words, if any individual has any symptoms STAY HOME.
6. TRAVEL: Athletes are strongly recommended to travel to the venue alone or only
with members of their immediate household.
7. PRACTICE: Coaches should keep players in small groups at practice to allow for
physical distancing. Practices will be scheduled with at least a 1-hour buffer.
8. GAMES: Will be scheduled with at least a 1-hour buffer to prevent overlap of
participants.
9. PERSONAL PROTECTION FOR COACHES/STAFF/ATHLETES/UMPIRES;
Coaches, staff, umpires and athletes are required to wear a face mask or cloth
face covering when unable to easily 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.
10. SHARED EQUIPMENT: Ensure athletes do not share equipment. This includes
bats, helmets, and catchers gear.
11.HYDRATION: All players and coaches shall bring their own water bottles. Water
bottles shall not be shared.
12.GAME BALLS: Will be disinfected before and after every clinic, practice, and
game.
13.DUGOUTS, BENCHES, & BLEACHERS: Are allowed to open only if they can be
thoroughly cleaned before and after every use, and 6 ft of distance can be
maintained. If you don't want to or can't clean the dugout, benches, or bleachers
then just don't use them. Have the players spread out behind the dugout/bench.
14. CROWD CONTROL: Staff should assist with crowd control by reminding
spectators to maintain social distancing. Individuals shall not congregate in
common areas or parking lots following an event or practice. Family members
who attend practices and games must always wear a mask while attending those
events.
15.PARENT SEATING AREA: Are allowed to open only if they can be thoroughly
cleaned and disinfected before and after every use, and 6 ft of distance can be
maintained.
16.CONCESSION STANDS: Allowed to open but must follow Sector Rules for
Restaurants. Sales of only prepackaged food and drink do not have to follow
Sector Rules for Restaurants.
17.PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR: Appoint a program administrator who is
accountable for implementing these rules and make sure players, coaches,
spectators keep physically distant and don't share gear or drinks. This can be a
parent or spectator. They will NOT be required to have a coaching cert or take
the abuse training.
18.IN THE EVENT OF A POSITIVE COVID 19 CASE: guidelines defined by the
State of CT in their Contact Tracing Platform must be followed and can be found
here, https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/ContaCT.
19.UMPIRES: The officials assign to work each game shall perform their duties as
they have done in the past with a couple of changes.
a. It is recommended that the plate umpire call the game from behind the
catcher as is the normal practice. If he can stay a few feet or up to 6 feet
from the catcher, and still make accurate calls that is better. If the plate
umpire does not feel comfortable behind the catcher, he may call the
game from behind the pitcher.
b. The pregame meeting will be held on the field, away from any players that
may be warming up. The Manager from each team and the umpire or both
umpires shall attend the pre-game meeting and will maintain the 6-foot
separation. If the separation from each other and from players cannot be
maintained during the meeting, then masks must be worn during this
meeting.
c. The game officials must wear a face mask or cloth covering while
performing their duties.
d. Game officials must sign the National babe Ruth League Waiver Form.