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Return to play Guidelines

By YBA Staff, 05/19/20, 10:45AM CDT

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WHAT YBA IS DOING TO KEEP PLAYERS, COACHES, & FAMILIES SAFE

 

The City of Yankton strongly encourages community groups to follow CDC guidelines for hygiene and social distancing as that is what is still recommended from the CDC and state government based on our current number of active cases in the county. The CDC, has stated in their information for Parks and Recreation, most organized activities and sports such as basketball, baseball, soccer, and football that are held on park fields, open areas, and courts are not recommended during times in which individuals are encouraged or required to practice social distancing. These activities and sports typically require coaches and athletes who are not from the same household or living unit to be in close proximity while practicing and playing, which increases their potential for exposure to COVID-19.

 

The YBA will not be able to advance to the next phase without the approval of the majority rule of the YBA Board members. The YBA will continue working with the city of Yankton officials and recommendations of the CDC and local health officials. The YBA or the City has the right to shut down the season at any time they feel that COVID cases start to trend upward. We will continue to follow the CDC recommendations. Parents have a choice to remove your child at any time, if they don’t feel comfortable with the situation. 

 

Players & coaches with symptoms (i.e. fever, cough, shortness of breath, body aches, chills, loss of taste/smell, etc.) will be instructed to stay home as well as notify supervisor of symptoms and follow CDC-recommended guidelines regarding what to do if you are sick. Sick employees will be required to consult with healthcare providers and state/local health departments to determine when they can return to work. 

 

Players or coaches with symptoms (i.e. fever, cough, shortness of breath, body aches, chills, loss of taste/smell, etc.) will be instructed to stay home as well as notify Drew Lawrence of symptoms if they develop symptoms within 72 hours of their last practice or game. Sick players will be required to consult with healthcare providers and state/local health departments to determine when they can return to YBA. Players or coaches with exposed family members (in house or close contact) will not be permitted to practice or games. 

 

Phase 1: Small group developmental practice. No games. Starts June 1st

  • Coaches and Players will be responsible for ensuring social distancing is maintained between players as much as possible.  This means additional spacing between players while playing catch and changing drills or stations. 
  • Coaches will sanitize shared equipment before and after each practice
  • Coaches will be wearing a mask/gaiter at all times.
  • Players will arrive no more than 5 minutes prior to their scheduled practice or game time and will leave the field immediately after their practice. 
  • Players will enter the west gate. Players driving will exit the north main gate. Players that are dropped off will be dropped off on the west side of Riverside park.  Players will be picked up on the east parking lot of Riverside park. Parents must remain in their cars during pick up and drop off. 
  • Players must bring their own water/beverage container during and after practice.  No shared water coolers or drinking fountains. 
  • Players and coaches will be encouraged to practice good hygiene by using hand sanitizers before and after practice. 
  • Players are encouraged to protect themselves by wearing a mask/gaiter based on the families’ decision.
  • Players should use their own gloves, helmets, and bats as much as possible
  • Players will set their equipment bags along the fence 6 ft apart 
  • Dugouts use will not be allowed. 
  • Practice will be held Monday - Friday (Offensive and Defensive Days) for 90 - 120 minutes.  The practices will be scheduled 15 minutes apart.  The coaches will implement a drop dead time.  
  • Once practice is over, the players will gather their equipment/belongings and leave the field as quickly as possible. 
  • Players will be asked to enter the field as close to scheduled time as possible. They will not be able to congregate in the parking lots or around the field before or after practice. 
  • Players will be grouped according by age. This allows coaches to evaluate the players’ abilities before teams are decided. 
  • Practices will be constructed into 3 - 6  groups of 4 - 7 players
  • There will be 4 - 7 coaches at each practice. 1-2 coaches per group. Drew will be at each practice. 
  • The Defensive stations will be divided into infield and outfield drills, everyone will participate at each station.  Pitcher and catcher stations will be filtered each week.
  • The Offensive stations will be divided up into on field drills, cage drills, and bunting.
  • One of the stations will include drills that include arm care exercises, mobility, speed and quickness. 
  • Practices will use Riverside field and softball field and cages. We will use pitching machines and technology for hitting, pitching and fielding drills 
  • Daily competition will be implemented in the stations. 

 

 

Phase 2: Full team practice and in-house games, no travel. No Start Date

  • Players will enter the west gate. Players driving will exit the north main gate. Players that are dropped off will be dropped off on the westside of Riverside park.  Players will be picked up on the east parking lot of Riverside park. Parents must remain in their cars during pick up and drop off. 
  • Players should use their own gloves, helmets, and bats as much as possible.
  • Players must bring their own water/beverage container during and after practice.  No shared water coolers or drinking fountains. 
  • Players and coaches will be encouraged to practice good hygiene by using hand sanitizers before and after practice. 
  • Coaches will sanitize shared equipment before and after each practice
  • Players will set their equipment bags along the fence 6 ft apart 
  • Dugouts use will be extended as long as social distance is recommended. 
  • Coaches will be responsible for ensuring social distancing is maintained between players as much as possible during practice and games. 
  • Coaches will be wearing a mask/gaiter at all times.  Players are encouraged to protect themselves based on the family's decision.
  • Players will be divided into teams decided by the coaching staff.  
  • Practice and games will be played Monday - Friday
  • Practice will be increased to full teams, as recommended.
  • Parents and immediate family can attend games under social distancing guidelines .
  • There will be no concession stand.  

 

Phase 3. Playing games with South Dakota area communities. No Start Date

  • Players and Coaches will continue using the updated guidelines.  
  • The YBA will only use vans to travel to games when CDC and social distancing recommendations will allow us to do so.  Parents will have to transport players in the event the vans are not allowed. 
  • Players must bring their own water/beverage container during and after practice.  No shared water coolers or drinking fountains. 
  • Players and coaches will be encouraged to practice good hygiene by using hand sanitizers before and after practice. 
  • Players should use their own gloves, helmets, and bats as much as possible
  • Coaches will sanitize shared equipment before and after each practice or game
  • Dugouts use will be extended as long as social distance is recommended. 
  • Coaches will be wearing a mask/gaiter based on recommendations and guidelines.  Players are encouraged to protect themselves based on the family's decision.
  • No concession stand available.  The Morning Optimist has decided not to supply workers in 2020. 

 

Phase 4: Full participation, no restrictions. Playing tournaments and out of state games. No Start date.