ENLL COVID-19 Safety Protocols - UPDATED 03/18/2021
Using the current California Department of Public Health COVID-19 Interim Guidance for Youth Sports - https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/outdoor-indoor-recreational-sports.aspx ENLL has developed the following plan to resume Little League Baseball activities while protecting and supporting our Volunteers, Players, and Spectator’s health. We will practice social distancing, and limit large gatherings to minimize risks of COVID-19. This guidance has been approved by the ENLL Board of directors. Little League practices are the only activity approved by the State and County as of now. We are still waiting for permission to play games. When games become approved, the following will apply to games also.
These guidelines may change during the season if CDPH, SDHHS, Little League International, California District 31 Little League Baseball, City of Encinitas and/or EUSD issue additional guidance and ENLL may update the types of activities that are allowed. Any updates will be communicated clearly to Encinitas National Little League (ENLL) participants.
As these new protocols will officially go into practice in March, no player or coach will be allowed to participate without a signed agreement on file with ENLL. If guidelines are updated during the season, the protocols may be amended accordingly during the season.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS FOR VOLUNTEERS AND PLAYERS
- Managers, coaches, and team assistants MUST wear masks at all times.
- All players MUST wear masks EXCEPT when participating in on-field baseball activities. Masks are still encouraged and parents may choose to have their player wear their mask on the field.
- Mask MUST be worn by players:
- Walking to and from the field / entrance
- In the dugout or waiting turn to bat
- Team meetings (even with social distancing)
- Stretching
- Players must have a mask or gaiter in their possession at all times (We recommend a gaiter or a masks with neck straps so they can be easily removed and put back during field to dugout transition)
- All spectators must wear masks at all times while on school grounds.
We will train all league officials and volunteers on appropriate cleaning and disinfection, hand hygiene, and respiratory etiquette per CDC guidelines as found in the following link:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/pdf/Reopening America Guidance.pdf
We will screen coaches, volunteers and players before entering any facility or field and send home any league official or volunteer who has any of the following new or worsening symptoms of possible COVID-19 infection: Cough - Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing - Chills - Repeated shaking with chills - Muscle pain - Headache - Sore throat - Loss of taste or smell - Diarrhea - Feeling feverish or known close contact with a person who is lab confirmed to have COVID-19.
We will not allow coaches, volunteers, or players with new or worsening symptoms (listed above) to return until:
In the case of an individual who was diagnosed with COVID-19, all three of the following criteria are met: at least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery (resolution without the use of fever-reducing medications); and the individual has improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared;
In the case of an individual who has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and has not been evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, the individual is assumed to have COVID-19, and the individual may not return until they have completed the same three-step criteria listed above; or if the individual has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and wants to return to ENLL activities before completing the above self-isolation period, the individual must obtain a medical professional's note clearing the individual for return based on an alternative diagnosis.
Any Coach, volunteer, or player who has had close direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, the parent/guardian agrees to not to participate in any ENLL event for 14 days after exposure. Individuals may return after to ENLL events on the 11th day after exposure with proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS FOR FACILITIES
All practices will be limited to 1 team per practice made up of up to 13 players, coaches, and a team up to two parent volunteers.
Use of the dugouts will not be allowed during practice.
For games, socially distanced seating will be provided to players by combining the dugout and additional seating in the adjacent bullpen. This will allow for the players to spread out in a safe manner and to have a designated area to sit and to store their equipment.
Spectators must remain in designated spectator zones and must maintain a 6-foot social distance from other spectators not part of the same household. Spectators must wear face coverings.
We will frequently clean and disinfect any regularly touched surfaces, such as equipment, doorknobs, tables, chairs, and restrooms per CDC guidelines.
We will use disinfectant wipes to clean equipment and high-touch surfaces including but not limited to benches, bleachers, gates, and equipment.
Hand sanitizer will be required before practice/game, during breaks, and after practice/game is completed by all players, coaches, and volunteers.
We will make hand sanitizer or similar disinfectant readily available
Snack-bar and vending machines will be closed.
REPORTING PROTOCOLS
Coaches, volunteers, or players who have tested positive for COVID-19, are suspected of having COVID-19 by a health care provider or have been exposed to anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 must report this to ENLL’s COVID-19 Compliance Coordinator by emailing [email protected]. This includes any coach, volunteer, or player who has been given a COVID-19 test, even if it is just precautionary.
In the event a coaches, volunteer, or players tests positive for COVID-19, the players or team(s) that they have been in contact with will be notified. Names of person(s) who tested positive will not be provided. Recommendations and/or requirements will be given to all who are contacted based on the scenario –whether testing and/or self- isolation is needed or recommended.
PARENT RESPONSIBILITY
If your child has had any of the following symptoms below in the last 24 hours, you agree to not send your child to any ENLL event:
If your child has had close direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, the parent/guardian agrees to not allow the player to participate in any ENLL event for 14 days after exposure. Players may return after to ENLL events on the 11th day after exposure with proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
If a player has symptom onset during this time period, the player will not participate in any ENLL event for 10 days from the onset of symptoms and also 24 hours after their fever is completely gone (without fever reducing medication)
Players exhibiting ANY COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or is exhibiting COVID-19-like symptoms, and players who are suspected of having COVID-19 are NOT PERMITTED to attend any ENLL event. In any of these events, parents agree to email the ENLL Covid Coordinator at: [email protected] for instructions for their player to return to ENLL activities.
ON-FIELD PROTOCOLS
No Handshakes / Personal Contact Celebrations
There will be no pre/post-game gatherings or between inning huddles. This means no, no handshakes, no fist pumps, no chest bumps, no high-fives, etc. This will be eliminated completely.
Players, managers/coaches, and umpires will bring their own personal drinks to all practices and games. Drinks should be labeled with the person’s name and there will be no sharing.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Dugouts
Use of the dugouts will not be allowed during practice.
For games, socially distanced seating will be provided for players by combining the dugout and additional seating in the adjacent bullpen. This will allow for the players to spread out in a safe manner and to have a designated area to sit and to store their equipment
Players are to stay at their assigned spots when waiting their turn to bat.
Player Equipment
There will be no sharing of equipment, including catcher’s equipment.
Local leagues will provide each team with at least one set of catcher’s gear to be designated before practice or game as to which player will use this equipment on that day. At the end of practice/game the league catcher’s gear shall be disinfected. Rookie and T-Ball divisions will not have catcher.
Players should have their own individual batter’s helmet, glove, bat, and catcher’s equipment and must be marked appropriately.