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2020 Baseball Update

By YBA Staff, 04/29/20, 3:00PM CDT

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2020 SUMMER BASEBALL UPDATE

 

We had a board meeting last night to discuss the 2020 summer baseball season.  Unfortunately,  our decisions when to practice or play is up to our state and local governments.  The City of Yankton has extended the ordinance to not allow groups larger in 10 until May 15th.  We are going to be as fluid and transparent as we can during this unprecedented time.  The board is going to meet every two weeks to evaluate the situations,  we understand that if we get a chance to do some type of baseball, we still have to adhere to the CDC guidelines and that is where the limiting of groups to under 10 comes into play.  We don't know when that will end. 

 

While in communication with city officials, these are some of the questions or concerns that may arise.

 

"The questions that pertain to baseball that the YBA needs to evaluate is  how to share equipment (balls, bats, catching gear, etc.) safely;  how to use dugouts while maintaining proper social distancing; not congregating in groups larger than 10 people; and making sure hands are washed after using public restrooms while on site.  There may be more questions that haven't been included in this list.

Healthy athletes may not be concerned about getting sick or spreading the illness, but the concern is who they may spread the disease to at home that may not be as healthy.  Also, what pressures there might be from those families that don't think baseball should start and that their family members shouldn't participate versus peer pressure from other team members to participate against family wishes".

 

Traveling is another big concern for us, moving forward.  We have  concerns with the number of players in vans and traveling to other communities that have more COVID-19 cases then Yankton.  We are in communication  with other organizations and their thought process moving forward.  The consensus is to remain patient to see what happens.  

 

Using the concept "Control What You Can Control", the YBA is looking at creative ways we can bring summer baseball to your children.  We will not put a date on when we are going to start or cancel the season.  We need to remain patient and re-evaluate every few weeks. 

 

Here are some items we are looking at:

  1. Developing a survey for the parents so the YBA can get an understanding on how everyone feels about playing or practicing. 
  2. Developing a waiver to play or practice.
  3. Creating small group/individual practice schedule: We don't have a time table when we would start this but we are starting to develop a plan.
  4. 13U/14U Tryouts likely will be cancelled.  Players would be evaluated during small group/individual practices. 
  5. Game Schedule: Start looking at creative ways to play.   Intersquad or local area teams.  We will adjust the original schedule when we are allowed to play.

 

We just want to reiterate that these ideas and plans will not be implemented prior to May 15th.  We will re-evaluate the situation the week of May 15th and communicate the decisions and recommendations the board approves.