24
Feb, 2021
Riverside Little League 2021 Return to Play Guidelines for Games, Practices and Events
With the State of Illinois currently in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan, youth sports activities are allowed on a limited basis. These activities are subject to the reopening guidelines established by the state and the Village of Riverside. Riverside Little League (RLL) is committed to following these guidelines as community youth returns to play this season.
The state and the Village have established these guidelines to enable youth sports, such as RLL baseball and softball, to safely resume. However, there are obvious and inherent risks to returning to play of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) and/or any mutation or variation thereof, and, indeed, any communicable disease, infection and/or virus, even if all the guidelines are followed. RLL is neither expert in nor otherwise experienced in assessing the spread of or risks associated with communicable diseases and cannot and does not take on such role by virtue of offering certain activities as available to the community.
RLL also is not equipped to educate the community on such risks and has, for itself, deferred to the expertise and authority of Illinois and the Village. Accordingly, RLL considers that before participating in any RLL associated activities, each participant and their guardians must decide for themselves if they are willing to accept the risks of exposure, directly or indirectly, arising out of, contributed to, or otherwise resulting from any RLL activities in which they might participate, to any and all communicable diseases, infections, or viruses, including but not limited to, the virus “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2),” which is responsible for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and/or any mutation or variation or outbreak thereof.
By participating in RLL-associated activities, you acknowledge and accept these risks and confirm that you agree to the terms and conditions set forth at the time you registered for the 2021 season.
RLL will update these guidelines accordingly if Village Parks and Recreation Youth Sports Guidelines change and/or if Illinois moves into Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois Plan.
Village of Riverside Parks and Recreation Youth Sports Guidelines
- ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST MAINTAIN 6 FEET OF PHYSICAL DISTANCING AT ALL TIMES. THIS DISTANCING APPLIES WITHIN THE DUGOUT AREA AND THE BLEACHERS BEHIND THE DUGOUT.
- ADULTS AND YOUTH PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS.
- ADULTS AND YOUTH PARTICIPANTS SHOULD NOT PARTICIPATE IF THEY HAVE ANY COVID-19 SYMPTOMS OR EXPOSURE RISKS.
- ADULTS AND YOUTH PARTICIPANTS SHOULD WASH HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER OR USE HAND SANITIZER REGULARLY, ESPECIALLY BEFORE AND AFTER PARTICIPATING.
- PARTICIPANTS SHOULD USE THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
- REGULAR LEAGUE GAMES, TOURNAMENTS, OUT-OF-CONFERENCE LEAGUE PLAY, AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES ARE ALLOWED WHILE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES.
- TEAM/GROUP SIZE SHOULD BE LIMITED TO 10 PARTICIPANTS OR FEWER PER EVERY ONE ADULT.
- TEAMS/GROUPS SHOULD BE STATIC, WITH NO MIXING OF ADULTS OR CHILDREN.
- SPECTATORS ARE LIMITED TO IMMEDIATE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS OR GUARDIANS OF PARTICIPANTS AND MUST REMAIN SOCIALLY DISTANT FROM OTHER GROUPS.
- ORGANIZERS SHOULD DESIGN A PLAN TO ACCOMMODATE THESE GUIDELINES AND DESIGNATE AN ADULT TO MONITOR THESE GUIDELINES AT ALL TIMES.
- NO TEAM/GROUP SNACKS. ALL PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BRING THEIR OWN WATER BOTTLES AND KEEP THEM 6 FEET AWAY FROM OTHER PARTICIPANTS’ PERSONAL BELONGINGS.
- NO HANDSHAKES, HIGH-FIVES, ETC.
General Guidelines
In addition to the guidelines above:
- Anyone with an active COVID-19 infection or any symptom of COVID-19 (e.g., cough, sore throat, headaches, chills or fever 100.4 degrees or higher) or anyone who has been in close proximity to an individual who has an active COVID-19 infection or with symptoms of an infection will not attend any practice, game, or RLL event. This person will be required to remain symptom-free for 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications before returning to practice or play in a game. Parents are responsible for screening and taking a player’s temperature prior to allowing player participation in a practice or game.
- If any player, coach, umpire, volunteer, or anyone who has close contact with these individuals tests positive for COVID-19, they must immediately inform RLL at [email protected] so that proper precautions can be taken.
- Anyone at higher risk, which the CDC has defined as someone with a serious underlying medical condition or who is of age 65 or older, should consider consulting a medical provider before attending any practice or game and should adhere to current CDC guidelines for safety.
- All players and coaches should practice good hygiene before, during, and after practices and games. Good hygiene includes washing hands before and after games and use of hand sanitizer during baseball activity. Sanitizer will be made available for each team, pending availability.
- Social distance (6 feet) must always be maintained except in the very limited instances where the game requires it (e.g., making a play on a runner). All team meetings and any gatherings will be held at a social distance.
- Individuals who do not comply with RLL guidelines will be asked to comply. Repeated offenses will result in action by the Riverside Little League Board.
Player Guidelines
In addition to the guidelines above:
- During practice or a game, masks or face coverings are required. Mouths and noses must be covered, except for individuals with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a facial covering. RLL reserves the right to request a doctor’s note exempting an individual from wearing a face covering.
- Dugouts will be limited to no more than five people at any time. This includes coaches and players and use should be limited to allowing the catcher to suit up and remove catcher’s gear between innings, the next batters in the order, and reserve players when not in the field.
- For field without dugouts, players are to maintain a distance of 6+ feet from each other.
- When not in the field, players will be positioned in a pre-marked area behind the backstop fence that will allow them to maintain a distance of 6+ feet from each other. Players must remain in their designated off-field area when not on the field. Players may bring their own chair to place in their designated spot.
- Player equipment will be spaced 6 feet apart in designated areas.
- No water bottle sharing. Each player must have his/her own water bottle.
- No equipment sharing between players.
- Every piece of player equipment (including mask) should include the player’s name.
- No sunflower seeds, food, or spitting allowed.
- Players should use hand sanitizer and sanitize before and after play. Coaches also will use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid physical contact with teammates and other players. This includes high fives, fist bumps, and post-game handshakes.
- Player equipment such as helmets, gloves, and bats should be cleaned and disinfected after each practice by a parent.
Coaches/Game Officials Guidelines
In addition to the guidelines above:
- Coaches should always wear a mask or face covering. Mouths and noses must be covered.
- Players and coaches must take measures to prevent all contact that is not essential to practicing and playing in games. This includes requiring players to refraining from handshakes, high fives, fist/elbow bumps, chest bumps, group celebrations, etc.
- Coaches should limit the number of balls used in each practice and game, sanitizing them periodically. Game balls will be removed from the game at least every two innings.
- Coaches will be responsible for taking attendance of their players at each game.
- Coaches will determine who will use catcher’s gear and will be responsible for its use and cleaning. Catcher’s gear will be sanitized before and during game when there is a change of catcher. Coaches are strongly encouraged to use no more than two catchers per game to minimize the use of catcher’s gear by different players. No player will be required to play catcher.
- The umpire will stand socially distanced behind the pitcher and will wear a mask or face covering over their mouth and nose. No umpire will stand behind home plate. If a coach acts as umpire, he/she must wear a mask or face covering over their mouth and nose.
- Each team shall designate a safety officer(s) from the team’s parent pool. The safety officer will assist in maintaining these guidelines at all team games. The safety officer will position him/herself near the player grid to ensure players are keeping a social distance and to assist with hand and equipment sanitation.
- Coaches shall regularly inform the RLL Board of how these guidelines are being followed.
Parents/Guardians/Spectators Guidelines
In addition to the guidelines above:
- Parents/Guardians/Spectators are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering when social distancing in not possible. Mouths and noses must be covered.
- To avoid contact with a prior team’s practice or game, players should be dropped off and picked up at the listed time indicated by their coach and no earlier. Games will start as soon as possible after listed time.
- Parents/guardians/spectators of T-ball, Pee Wee, and Jr. Minor players should walk their child to the field for practices and games and should walk their child from the field after practices and games. For Minors and Majors, parents/guardians/spectators should stay in their cars at practice drop off and pick up. To minimize the number of people in attendance, only players and coaches are allowed to attend practice.
- It is recommended that parents/guardians help warm up their players by encouraging stretching and practicing throwing at home before each game.
- Families are encouraged to limit the number of spectators at games during the pandemic.
- All spectators will sit in designated areas down the first or third base sides or in the outfield using their own chairs and must socially distance. Bleachers will be closed.
- Spectators should not retrieve foul balls. Only players and coaches should handle game balls.
- Spectators should not approach the players during games.
- All players and spectators shall vacate the premises immediately after an event/game.