Coaches, we hope this playbook will serve as a useful guide for running a game during this unusual time.

General Rules

• If a player is not in the game, they must have a mask on.  Period.
• There will be Baseball Safety Ambassadors onsite to help.
• All Fans must wear a face covering.  Period.

Before the Game

• Encourage players to warm up before arrival
• All players should show up 30 minutes before the game, no earlier
  • All players must wear a “face covering”
    • Have them bring and extra
    • We will have more on site if needed
  • At least one parent or guardian must wait onsite until temperature and symptoms check is complete [comment - if a parent/guardian must remain onsite the whole time (see point above), then this requirement will be mooted]
  • All players are encouraged to bring a “lawn chair” to the game
  • Upon arrival, all players and coaches must go to one of the designated Temperature and Health Screening Tents.
    • If any POSITIVES are noted on the player, they will be sent home
      • See safety guidelines for necessary actions
    • No Positives,the player or coach will get a wrist band that they are cleared to play
    • Send the player to pick a SPOT on his/her side of the field
    • A parent can accompany the player to their spot to help them set up and must then go to the spectator areas in the outfield.
• Players will set up his/her chair, unpack and hang bag and/or drop off equipment and take a seat (chair or ground)
• At coach’s discretion, you may have players, in pairs, go to the closest outfield grass area to play catch
  • A coach or parent must monitor the catch/warm-up activity
• Batting practice of any kind will not be allowed
• An adult to player ratio of 5:1 must be maintained.
  • Does not have to be certified coach to help maintaining good safely practices before, during and after the game

Start of the game

• Have all of you players in his/her SPOT 5 minutes before the start of the game
  • DO not sit in the ORANGE MARKED SPOTS
• When any preliminary activities (ground rules, lines up exchange, etc) are complete you may begin the game following the below procedures.
  • Please maintain social distancing during any coaches huddles

During the game

1- General

• Wear a mask at all times
• Maintain social distance where possible
• Parents are strongly discouraged from visiting the player area.

2 - Your team is in the field

• Players are not required to wear face coverings
• Rotate game balls into the game at a reasonable frequency
  • Sanitize the ball when pulled out of the game
  • The umpires will NOT hold games balls
• When the half inning ends
  • Players should go immediately to his/her designated SPOT maintaining socal distance from their teammates
  • Take their seat (chair or on the ground)
  • Put on their face covering
  • Wait

3 - Your team is at bat

• All players will start in his/her SPOT
• Once all players are settled, call the first and second batters to the dugout.
  • Wearing helmets and gloves.
  • Carrying bat
• Send the first batter to the “On Deck” location
• Send the Second Player to the DUGOUT/BENCH area
• When the half inning starts
  • Send the first batter to plate
  • Send the second batter to the “On Deck” location
  • Call the third batter and direct him/her to the DUGOUT/BENCH area
• If the batter is OUT
  • Have the batter retrieve bat
  • Send him/her back to designated SPOT
  • Maintain social distance from other players
• If the batter is SAFELY on base
  • Retrieve the bat BY THE BARREL (not the handle)
  • Return the bat to the player’s spot
• Repeat the process above until the half inning ends
• When the half inning ends
  • Wait for all opposing teams players to reach his/her SPOT before sending any of your team onto the field
  • Players can remove their mask and go to their position when instructed

After the game

• All players should go to his/her SPOT to pack bags and retrieve equipment
• There will be no post game HANDSHAKE
  • You can be creative when showing post game sportsmanship
• Post game “wrap ups” are allowed
  • Everyone must wear a mask.
  • Parents / fans can NOT join
  • Maintain a social disctaning circle
  • Keep it brief
• Parents should NOT come to the player area
• Players should put on his/her face covering and go to their parent’s location
  • Maintain social distancing when possible
  • Encourage everyone to leave the park in a timely fashion