Steps needed for Mad River Softball Season to start.
1. Still waiting for Humboldt County to rule on whether to phase in athletic gatherings of over 100.
2. MRSA board would then have to meet and create start up plan.
3. MRSA then needs to finish Umpire Association negotiations for umpires safety and pay requests.
4. MRSA needs to find new facility insurance for Arcata Complex.
5. The League may have to turn in COVID health plan to get permission to resume.
6. The MRSA need to hire a Field Supervisor to apply new rules and regulations.
Here is potential new rules. Failure to
follow Mad River Softball Association new COVID guidelines could result in forfeiture of
the league.
Fees will be slightly higher due to additional staff necessary
for sanitation and sanitary supplies.
We hope everyone understands and complies with the
guidelines and adjustments we have to make during these unprecedented times.
Adult Softball League Modifications – COVID-19 Mad River
Softball Association recognizes that public health and safety is a top
priority, and the Adult Softball League can be offered in a manner that adheres
to health guidelines through the following procedures and precautions:
Gameplay
Modifications:
· A
“pass-by” line will be placed behind home plate. Runner will be safe by just
passing the line before the ball arrives. This will eliminate contact at home
plate.
·All
bases will have force out situations. No tagging of runners. If player runs
past the bag or slides beyond bag, the runner is out.
· The
umpire will be positioned at least six feet from both the batter and catcher,
and viceversa.
·
Players will not line up to shake hands or make physical contact with the
opposing team after games conclude. Captains will not shake hands during
pre-game plate conferences.
Equipment Use
and Sanitation Procedures:
· Face
Masks must be worn by players from parking lot back to parking lot.
· Captains
and players should bring their own sanitizing equipment to use throughout the
game.
· Game
balls will be sanitized before each game by site supervisors.
·
Wooden softball bats will be sanitized before each game.
·
Players need to use their own equipment such as bats, gloves and batting
gloves. No Sharing.
· Bats will be tracked by
site Field Supervisor in order to identify which teams/players used the bat on
a particular day of competition.
·
Scoreboard remote controls will be sanitized before and after use by the site Field
supervisor.
·
Umpires will be provided with sanitary wipes/disinfectant to wipe down
equipment as necessary during games.
Field/Complex
Modifications
· Team and spectator areas
will be marked with tape to designate six-foot physical distances. If players
are unable to maintain distancing in the team area, they are asked to stand
along the outside side-fence perimeter.
· Game
start times may be staggered to prevent large groups at the same time.
·
Teams leaving dugouts after game must take all debris with them out of the
park.
·
Players must be spaced out 6 feet apart in dugout and must spread outside if
need be.
·
Teams/Players should stay in their vehicles until the previous groups exit the
fields to avoid large groups.
·
Players will enter the complex via the main concourse and exit between fields North
and South.
·
Teams will enter the field through the gate adjacent to team areas and will
exit the field upon completion of the game via the outfield gates. Gates will
be zip-tied open in order to eliminate “touch points”.
· Teams will be assigned a
staging area adjacent to the field but away from team areas for warm-up
purposes. Teams may not enter team areas until the site supervisor completes
sanitization.
· The
playground is closed and will be cordoned off. Players are asked to not bring children or family to the
facility; only spectator’s essential for transportation of players should
attend.
· B & B Restrooms will
be sanitized regularly by staff during play.
·
Lines marked at six-foot intervals will be placed outside of bathrooms and at
concession stand waiting areas.
·
Signage will be posted in high traffic areas (dugouts, restrooms) regarding
COVID-19 symptoms, social distancing reminders, and health information.
· No
team coolers or cold packs. Only personal size coolers or water bottles.
· Site
supervisors will enforce social distancing guidelines and sanitize team areas
after each game.
· All staff, players, umpires and
spectators are encouraged to continue social distancing on and off the field
during an event.
Communication
· Mad
River Softball Association and Arcata Parks and Recreation reserves the right
to modify any rules, regulations, or schedules during the season to act in the
best interest of health and safety to players and staff.
· Understand that
participating in a group activity may lead to a higher risk of infection during
this pandemic. Participants agree to play at their own risk and follow
guidelines set forth by the Oregon Health Department.
·
Habitually non-compliant teams and individuals are subject to sanctions
outlined in the Adult Softball Rules and Procedures document, including
suspension and expulsion from the facility.
·No
posting of standings and rules at Ball Park.
