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Baseball Oshawa COVID-19 Return To Play plans

By Admin, 06/22/20, 5:00PM EDT

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Outline of Return to Play measures for Baseball Oshawa

As we, Baseball Oshawa, prepare for the start of the 2021 season, we have developed the following COVID-19 procedures. We are using the Baseball Ontario plan as our blueprint.


Please read the entire document to become acquainted to the new rules and guidelines. Download it now.

POST Covid-19 Safe Social Distancing Practices

1.    Maintain minimum of 2 metres distancing during physical activity, including warm ups, pre‐ game and post‐game activities, wherever possible.
2.    Use of dugouts should be avoided where safe physical distance cannot be maintained.
3.    Use as much space as required outside the dugout (but in safe areas outside of the field of play) to maintain adequate physical distance.
4.    Avoid congestion at points of entry to the diamond(i.e. gates, dugout doors, etc.) to allow maintenance of 2 meters distancing among participants.
5.    If spectators are in attendance, specific spectator measures for physical distancing shall be set as required/recommended by the local public health authorities.

POST Covid-19 Hygiene Standards

1.    Wash hands frequently for at least twenty (20) seconds.
2.    Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with your hands.
3.    Sneeze and/or cough in a tissue or the internal crease of the elbow. Avoid contact of hands  with personal respiratory points.

POST Covid-19 Event Procedure

1.    Follow all OBA and province of Ontario guidelines for facilities and events - https://www.baseballontario.com/filestore/htmleditattachedfiles/rts_-_baseball_ontario_-_bom_for_review_june_3_20202020-06-03t13-05-57v001_by_292.pdf
2.    Designation of entrances and exit to keep player traffic flow moving in one direction. Parks with more than one entrance to be assigned designated entry/exit point.
3.    Take proactive steps in creating social distancing environments, where possible.
a. Inspect designated seating and viewing areas for fans.
b. Minimize the use of fields at facilities to remain within the current mass-gathering    limitations of the local jurisdiction, if necessary.
c. Create one-way entry and exit gates where possible, to direct foot traffic.
4.    Minimize player contact by eliminating team/player handshakes and team/player high fives. Create a plan to keep social distancing between teams in effect beyond the field of play. Suggest other means of game celebrations and team sportsmanship at the end of games (e.g., ask players to tip their caps/visors, or have teams bow to each other from across the field).
5.    In dugouts, discontinue use of water coolers that are provided. Players should bring their own, personal cooler instead of using a team cooler. Players should plan on bringing an individual water bottle.
6.    Encourage parents to supply their players with antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer for disinfecting shared playing equipment and cleaning hands between innings.
7.    Allow players to wear PPE items if they choose, as long as the items do not compromise the safety of any and all participants in the game.
8.    All staff, players, umpires and spectators are encouraged to continue social distancing on and off the field during an event.
9.    Limit or space out staffing to ensure social distancing; this includes the team check-in process. There should be a single point of contact for teams during events.

POST Covid-19 Practice Procedure

1.    Follow all OBA and the province of Ontario guidelines for facilities and events - https://www.baseballontario.com/filestore/htmleditattachedfiles/rts_-_baseball_ontario_-_bom_for_review_june_3_20202020-06-03t13-05-57v001_by_292.pdf
2.    Ratio of parent to child as set by the OBA.
3.    Coaches to ensure social distancing between all players and coaches.
4.    Parents to not be on the field before and after the game.
5.    Allow teams to spread players out; expand the dugout area when room permits and only if player safety will not be compromised. Expansion of the team dugouts should not be done into foul ball areas. Attempt to limit bench personnel to essential team personnel.
6.    Practice plan ahead of time to allow for players to be within safe proximity of each other with drills geared to social distancing.
7.    Run drills with players in groups of 3 to 4 (maintain groups intact throughout all practices to minimize number of interactions).
8.    Consider split squad practices with no physical cross‐over between sessions.
9.    Minimize number of coaches in order to maximize players Encourage parents to supply their players with antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer for disinfecting shared playing equipment and cleaning hands between innings.
10.    Group rotation in one direction (i.e. clockwise around field).
11.    Allow players to wear PPE items if they choose, as long as the items do not compromise the safety of any and all participants in the game.
12.    Each player to have their own portable chair that is not shared.
13.    No sharing of water bottles, food of any kind, sunflower seeds and chewing gum.
14.    No spitting (chewing tobacco prohibited).
15.    No sharing of helmets.
16.    No sharing of any other equipment.
17.    No sharing of personal items like phones, wallets, etc.
18.    All catching gear is to be used by only one player and too be wiped down before and after use. If carrying more than one catcher, they will have their own catching gear.


POST Covid-19 Pre-Game Procedure

1.    Every player must check in with the manager at a designated area (ie. parking lot) to ensure they're not feeling sick and to ensure they have all their equipment/water/sanitizer needed to play before proceeding to the field.
2.    Teams may share the field for pregame warm up.  Each team shall stay in the outfield area on its side of the field.  
3.    Only  one  team  shall  be  on  the  field  at  a  time  for  BP  (on  the  diamond),  and  Infield  or  infield/outfield practice.
4.    Line up cards must be prepared but will not be physically shared ‐ photos may be taken by scorekeepers etc. and the lineup card must be made available to show the umpire when requested.
5.    Upon arriving at a dugout for the first time, teams are to disinfect hard surface areas (benches, bat racks, etc.).
6.    Home plate should be limited to one coach from each team plus the umpires. No players at plate meeting. Eliminate the meeting if possible.


POST Covid-19 In-Game Procedure

1.    Allow teams to spread players out; expand the dugout area when room permits and only if player safety will not be compromised. Expansion of the team dugouts should not be done into foul ball areas. Attempt to limit bench personnel to essential team personnel.
2.    Each team to have their own game ball to be wiped down after each inning of play with a disinfectant wipe.
3.    It is recommended that all players and umpires use their own equipment while participating. This includes gloves, bats, etc.
4.    Players shall not lick their fingers, blow on their hands or otherwise go to their mouth.
5.    Lead-offs are prohibited at 18U and below. Older leagues may adopt this rule if choose to do so.
6.    No sharing of water bottles, food of any kind, sunflower seeds and chewing gum.
7.    No spitting (chewing tobacco prohibited).
8.    No sharing of helmets.
9.    No sharing of any other equipment.
10.    No sharing of personal items like phones, wallets, etc.
11.    All catching gear is to be wiped down before and after every use and can be used by more than one player as long as it meets and follows all OBA guidelines.
12.    Players and Coaches should sanitize hands at all reasonable opportunities. (During water breaks, between innings).
13.    On occasion when regular catcher is not available - while pitcher is warming up between innings a coach will be mandated to provide their own catcher’s mask to be cleaned before and after every use.

POST Covid-19 Post-Game Procedure

1.    Require teams to clean their dugout of all trash and other items after each game, and to wipe down (clean) hard surfaces such as benches, bat racks, etc.
2.    All participants to disinfect their equipment after each event.
3.    All uniforms or clothing to be washed after each event.


POST Covid-19 Coaching Expectations

1.    Ensure all procedures are in place as set by the OBA.
2.    Team meetings, including pitching visits, shall maintain physical distance of minimum 2 meters. A maximum of 1 person (coach and/or player) and the pitcher may be included in a pitching visit.
3.    Head coach to monitor the number of parents/spectators at the field and if needed may be required to dismiss patrons if it is above the required amount.
4.    Always maintain physical distance from players and remind players to adhere to physical distancing guidelines.
5.    Conduct team huddles and teaching moments in a setting that adheres to physical distancing.
6.    Remind players not to spit, chew gum and/or eat seeds.
7.    Remind players not to make physical contact.
8.    Coaches must keep a record of all people at the field within their baseball group, as per workplace OBA Guidelines.
9.    Responsible for game balls.
10.    Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (visor or mask, gloves) to be used by trainers (or persons performing trainer function) when assessing an injury. All PPE to be kept in the medical equipment bag.
11.    If  a  coach  must  approach  an  umpire,  physical  distancing  of  at  least 2 meters must be maintained.  Failure to do so may result in ejection.
12.    While on offence, base coaches must always stay within their box, except to avoid a play being made in the coach's box. Any discussions between coaches and players (eg. batter visiting 3rd base coach; coach talking to runners, etc.) must maintain physical distancing of at least 2 meters.
13.    Pitchers, catchers, spotters and bullpen coaches must always maintain a physical distance of  2 meters while pitchers are warming up in the bullpen

POST Covid-19 Umpiring Expectations

1.    Ball/Strike umpire to work 2 metres behind the pitcher.
2.    Umpire(s) will not hold game balls.
3.    If ball is touched, use of hand sanitizer every half inning is recommended.
4.    Umpires may wear PPE masks at their discretion.


POST Covid-19 Scorekeeping Expectations

1.    Should always work from a restricted area and keep safe distance from others. If using a scorer's booth, it must be cleaned/sanitized before and after use.
2.    Avoid paper scoring when possible. Prioritize electronic scoring programs as alternative.
3.    Scoring equipment and microphones, if applicable, shall be thoroughly cleaned before and after use.


POST Covid-19 Parent/Guardian Expectations

1.    Parents are asked to constantly remind players of the importance of physical distancing, no spitting, no face touching, and no contact between athletes such as high fives or handshakes.
2.    Carpooling should be discouraged whenever possible. If required, please consult provincial guidelines.

POST Covid-19 Park Provisions and Obstacles

1.    All bench seating to be sanctioned off and to not be used. All spectators to bring and use their own means of seating apparatus while still practicing social distancing.
2.    Current player’s bench/dugout areas are not large enough for the entire team to maintain proper social distancing. Therefore coaches will expand bench/dugout area by clearly marking (spray painted lines) out proper social distancing spaces for players to set up in. Players will be encouraged to bring something to sit on while in their area. Whenever possible these expended bench areas will be away from the playing area. When it is not possible players will be asked to wear helmet to protect them from stray balls.
3.    Parent viewing areas will be communicated to prior to practice and events. More difficult areas that require zoning will be clearly marked.

Kedron

1.    Parents to watch from behind the outfield fence while practicing social distancing.
2.    Coaches to mark a line half way up the 1st and 3rd base lines that would leave a marked off area for participants (i.e. umpires, players and coaches) to be safely distanced.
3.    Players to bring their own lawn chairs and will sit adjacent to benches with batting helmets on at all times while in the bench area.

Lakeview Park 2/Jim Lutton Field

1.    Segregate Oshawa Baseball parking to section within the parking lot. With soccer and baseball being in the equation segregating our players, parents and coaches will adhere to social distancing within the association.
2.    Coaches to monitor outside traffic and possibly ask those who are not a parent, player or coaches to possibly leave.
3.    Parent viewing area to behind home plate and around the outfield fence.

Kingside/Brookside/Russett/Nipigon East and West/Glen Stewart 1&2

1.    With shorten screens running up the lines this limits space so the coaches will mark off the area around the benches and towards behind home plate for the players to set up in.
2.    Parent viewing area to be in the out of play area in the outfield.


Corbetts/Sherwood/Mount Joy/ Iroquois Shoreline/Lakevista

1.    Players and coaches to utilize the space on beside bench down the line to space out and still be behind a fence.
2.    Parent viewing area will be in the outfield out of play areas down the lines.

McLaughlin Park

1.    Coaches to utilize area around current bench marking out area going 2 deep.
2.    Parents to watch from large hill well behind home plate and also in the outfield out of player area while social distancing. Viewing can also be done from the parking lot.


Ritson Field

1.    Parents to watch directly behind home plate or beyond the outfield fence while practicing social distancing.
2.    Coaches to mark out proper social distancing area for players behind current dugout. Option is either 2 players deep or side by each as area here is ample.

Attersley Park North & South

1.    Parents to watch from the outfield out of play area.
2.    Coaches to mark out proper social distancing area for players around dugout 2 deep in some areas.
3.    Will try to avoid scheduling games at the same time as diamonds are back to back with little space between.

Kinsmen Stadium

1.    Parents to watch from behind home plate area in front or beside bleachers or well down the line in the out of play area while practicing social distancing.
2.    Coaches to mark out proper social distancing areas inside and beside the dugout in the out of play area going down the line.


Knight of Columbus

1.    Parents to watch from outfield out of play area down the lines. Coaches will draw a line just beyond the infield.
2.    Because of the small fence area coaches will mark out player’s area behind and to the left of the player’s bench as to remain safe from foul balls and over throws.
3.    With 3 diamonds and 2 that are back to back we need to be aware of traffic flow. If possibly stagger games to ease traffic flow to and from for all.

For any other information, concerns or inquires please contact:
Jayson Deslauriers – 905-922-3232
Tyson Briden – 705-872-1597