Victor Community Baseball and Softball
2020 Return to Play Guidelines
*VCBS reserves the right to amend our RTP Guidelines, at any time, pursuant to local and state updates.
***Players, Coaches, Umpires, and/or Spectators who have travelled to/from a state/location, that is on the New York State travel advisory list, must complete a 14-day quarantine (required by NY State), before returning to any VCBS Event***
Athletes
-While off of the field of play, players must adhere to six-foot social distancing, or should wear face coverings if social distancing is not possible.
-Players should refrain from wearing face masks while on the field of play. Restricting airflow to the nose and mouth while exercising is not safe.
-Players (parents/guardians) must conduct daily symptom assessments before attending any VCBS events(self-evaluation). Anyone experiencing any symptoms of illness, or a temperature over 100.4, is prohibited from the event’s grounds.
-Players should not share equipment. Belongings should be used only by the individual owner, including, but not limited to water bottles, gloves, bats, helmets, hats, and any other on and off-field gear. Clearly label personal items with your name, and keep with a parent/guardian if possible. No team water coolers, shared snacks, or drinking stations. No spitting or eating seeds, gum, or other similar products.
-If equipment must be shared, proper sanitation should be administered between users. Whenever possible, equipment and personal items should have proper separation, and should not be shared. All personal items should be clearly labeled with your name.
-No touch rule – players should refrain from high fives, handshake lines, and other physical contact with teammates, opposing players, coaches, umpires, and fans.
-Refrain from touching hands to mouth/face.
-Sanitize hands when possible/requested.
Coaches
-Coaches must wear face coverings when 10 foot social distancing is not possible, or anytime they are actively working with players in any capacity.
-Coaches must conduct daily symptom assessments before attending any VCBS events (self-evaluation). Anyone experiencing any symptoms of illness, or a temperature over 100.4, is prohibited from the event’s location.
-Coaches should ask players how they are feeling as players arrive
-No spitting or eating seeds, gum, chewing tobacco or other similar products.
-No touch rule – coaches should refrain from high fives, handshake lines, and other physical contact with teammates, opposing players, coaches, umpires, and fans.
-Maintain a clean dugout area. Sanitize touch-points, i.e. benches, bat racks, etc.
-Lineup exchanges will be done by spoken word without exchanging any physical documents with coaches or players.
-Game balls must be designated by each team for use while that team is playing defense. Sanitize game balls when not in play.
-Bench coaches/parents/volunteers must be utilized to ensure that players are adhering to social distancing in dugouts/designated player areas, and players/coaches/spectators are following these VCBS RTP Guidelines. No team may participate in a Game without this required “Bench Coach” designation.
-Should a spectator refuse to cooperate with a “Bench Coach’s” one-time VCBS RTP reminder, the Game must be paused, and a second reminder shall be issued by an Umpire, or both Team Managers if an Umpire is not present. The event must be cancelled/postponed should the second reminder be ignored.
Spectators
-New York State has mandated a limit of TWO spectators per player. One guardian is preferable for practices. Single-parents are allowed to bring more than one sibling, if other child care is not possible. However, bringing the entire family to the game is not allowed, if one parent can stay home with the siblings.
-Adhere to six foot social distancing, when around people not from your household, or wear a face covering if not possible. Sanitize hands when possible.
-Bring folding chairs, for yourself and your player. Pop-up tents can provide much needed shade for hot summer day games. Bleachers should be avoided. No team snacks/beverages may be provided.
-Spectators must conduct daily symptom assessments (self-evaluation). Anyone experiencing symptoms of illness, or a temperature over 100.4, may not spectate any baseball activities, or be anywhere near the event’s location.
-Designated “Bench Coaches” will be responsible for their teams VCBS RTP commitments. This can be a coach/parent/volunteer. No game may proceed without a “Bench Coach”.
-“Bench Coaches” will remind a Spectator, one time, to follow the expected Guidelines. Should any spectator refuse to cooperate with this reminder, the Event must be paused, and that Spectator shall be given a second reminder by an Umpire and/or both Team Managers/Coaches. If the second reminder is ignored, the Event must be cancelled/postponed, and reported to the VCBS Board of Directors, for further action.
Umpires
-Umpires should wear face coverings when six foot social distancing is not possible.
-Umpires will set up six feet behind the pitcher.
-Umpires must conduct daily symptom assessments (self-evaluation). Any umpires experiencing symptoms of illness, or a temperature over 100.4, are prohibited from the event’s location.
-Must avoid exchanging documents or equipment with players, coaches, or spectators.
-Umpires should allow adequate distance from fielders while still able to perform their duty.
-Going over Ground Rules – umpires and one coach per team. No captains or additional participants.
-Should a Spectator refuse to acknowledge their one VCBS RTP Guideline reminder from a “Bench Coach”, Umpires must pause the Game, and issue a second reminder. If the Umpire’s reminder is ignored, the Event must be cancelled/postponed.
Practice Venues
-Players must adhere to six foot social distancing, except when the ball is in play.
-No team water coolers, shared snacks, or drinking stations. Athletes should bring individual clearly labeled water containers.
-Practice Stations, i.e. infield, outfield, pitching, and/or hitting stations, must be used to limit the number of participants in one area.
-No group huddles. Instead, use six-foot socially distanced circles for team meetings during practice.
-Whenever possible, equipment and personal items should have proper separation and should not be shared. If equipment must be shared, proper sanitation should be administered between users. Please clearly label all belongings with your name, and leave with your spectating parent/guardian.
Game Venues
-Schedules will be created with longer gaps between daily games and practices. In situations where games are following each other, the arriving teams should take social distancing into account by finding a designated area to warm up.
-Individuals should not congregate in common areas or parking lots before or after games/practices.
-Multiple field locations will be utilized.
-No team water coolers or shared drinking stations.
-Bathrooms and concession stand, if open, will follow New York State requirements.
-Dugouts are restricted to official coaches only. Team members must sit with a parent/guardian, or designated player areas reserved for players and official coaches only. No spectators, siblings, bat boys/girls, etc.are allowed in player areas.
-Folding chairs and/or pop up tents are recommended for players, since dugout use is prohibited for players.
*Failure to adhere to these Guidelines may result in ejection from the venue, termination of the Event, and/or further consequences.
The game of Baseball is played in an open air setting, with no skin-to-skin contact. It is a sport which naturally lends itself to our social distancing efforts. Victor Little League is ready and prepared to play ball!
Thank you,
Victor Community Baseball & Softball
Board of Directors
