Lakewood Ranch Little League Return to Play Guidelines (Post COVID-19)
Submitted and approved by Manatee County Parks and Recreation 6/16/20

Recommended Best Practices for the Field of Play:

1.   Follow all local and state guidelines for facilities and events.

2.   The managers meeting at home plate should be limited to one coach from each team plus the umpires. No players at plate meeting. Eliminate the meeting, if possible.

3.   Teams must 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. Only 3 kids will be allowed in the dugout (Next 3 to hit).  All other players will sit with parents near field.

4.   Parents are encouraged to supply their players with antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer for cleaning hands between innings.

5.   PPE (Personal Protective Equipment):
a. All managers/coaches, volunteers, umpires, etc., should wear PPE whenever applicable and possible, such as cloth face coverings and protective medical gloves.
b. Players should wear cloth face coverings when in close contact areas and in places where recommended social distancing is challenging or not feasible.
c. Players should not wear protective medical gloves on the field during game play.
d. Players, especially at younger divisions, are not required to wear a cloth face covering while on the field during game play.
e. Players will be permitted to wear a cloth face covering on the field during game play, if physically able to do so, based on any directive of a medical provider or individual determination of the player/parent/guardian.
f. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

6.   Teams must 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.

7.   Consumption of food, gum and sunflower seeds on the field and in the dugout is prohibited.

8.   Player Equipment:
a. No personal player bat bags/equipment bags should be allowed in the dugout. Player equipment should be spaced accordingly outside the dugout to prevent direct contact.
b. Players will have their own individual batter’s helmet, glove, bat, and catcher’s equipment.
c. Avoid, or minimize, equipment sharing when feasible
d. Some critical equipment may not be able to be obtained by every individual. When it is necessary to share critical or limited equipment, all surfaces of each piece of shared equipment must be cleaned first and then disinfected with an EPA-approved disinfectant against COVID-19 and allowed sufficient time to dry before used by a new player. Increased attention should be paid to detailed cleaning of all equipment directly contacting the head and face (catcher’s mask, helmets).
f. Player’s equipment (e.g. bags, helmets, bats, gloves, etc.) should be cleaned and disinfected daily after practice and/or game by a parent/guardian/caretaker, where applicable.
g. Individuals disinfecting equipment are encouraged to use gloves while using disinfectants and follow the manufacturer’s directions for use. All disinfectants should be stored properly, in a safe area, out of reach of children.

9.    The catcher and umpire shall position themselves during a player’s at-bat to allow for social distancing.

10.Drinks / Snacks:
a. Athletes, managers/coaches, and umpires should bring their own personal drinks to all team activities. Drinks should be labeled with the person’s name.
b. Individuals should take their own drink containers home each night for cleaning and sanitation or use single-use bottles.
c. There should be no use of shared or team beverages.
d. Teams should not share any snacks or food. Players should bring individual, prepackaged food, if needed.

11. Sunflower seeds, gum, etc.
a. Sunflower seeds, gum, etc., should not be allowed in dugouts or on the playing field.
b. All players and coaches are always required to refrain from spitting, including in dugout areas and on the playing field.

12.Team/player handshakes and team/player high fives are eliminated. Alternatively, player / coaches should tip their caps the opposing team.

13.Baseballs:
a. Should be rotated through on a regular basis, every ½ inning, to limit individual contact. Each team will use their own baseballs.
b. Umpires should limit their contact with the ball, and catchers should retrieve foul balls and passed balls where possible.
c. Balls used in infield/outfield warm-up should be isolated from a shared ball container.
d. Foul balls landing outside the field of play should be retrieved by participating players, coaches, and umpires. No spectators should retrieve the ball.

14. Dugout Conduct:
a. Managers/coaches and players should be assigned spots in the dugout or on the bleachers so that they are at least six feet apart.
b. Players are to stay at their assigned spots when on the bench or while waiting their turn to bat.
c. Players and managers/coaches may wear a cloth face covering while in the dugout.

15. All staff and spectators are encouraged to continue social distancing on and off the field during an event. Practice social distancing of six feet wherever possible from individuals not residing within their household, especially in common areas.

16. Players and families should vacate the field/facility as soon as is reasonably possible after the conclusion of their game to minimize unnecessary contact with players, coaches, and spectators from the next game, ideally within 15 minutes.

17. All individuals should measure their body temperature to ensure that no fever is present prior to participating or attending each Little League activity. Anyone with symptoms of fever, cough, or worsening respiratory symptoms, or any known exposure to a person with COVID-19 should not attend any Little League activity until cleared by a medical professional.

18. Any individual, including players, at risk for severe illness or with serious underlying medical or respiratory condition should only attend Little League activities with permission from a medical professional.

19. Public Restrooms:
a. A “one-in-one-out” policy, where only one individual is permitted within the restroom at one time, is implemented to ensure adequate distancing in the confined restroom space.
b. Restrooms will be disinfected on a regular basis.
c. Use of refillable water stations is not permitted.

20. Concession Stands:
a. Food / concession sales will be available with prepackaged foods and single serve sealed beverages only. 
b. Families are encouraged to bring their own food/beverages