Avengers Covid-19 Policy

Methodology: We took the Ohio guidelines and the Pennsylvania guidelines for reopening, removed the items that duplicated, and modified based on the ages of our kids and the specific requirements of baseball.

Coaches on Avengers should include:

1. Head coach/3rd base coach (Avengers staff or volunteer)
2. 1st base coach (Avengers staff or volunteer)
3. Dugout coach / scorekeeper / catcher’s assistant (volunteer)

A parent volunteer for social distancing guidelines / catcher’s assistant is going to be needed for all practices and games. This parent does not need to be “baseball knowledgeable” but is there to help with the health and safety issues.

• Team Covid-19 Protocols
  • If you, or anyone else in your household, is feeling any symptoms, please do NOT come to practice or the game. Text Chuck (862-485-0229) or your team’s coach directly to let us know.
    • Symptoms include: fever, chills, headache, shortness of breath, dry cough, sore throat.
  • All players get a temperature screening before any team activity (practice/game) via a touchless forehead thermometer
  • Venue
    • 2 spectators per person allowed. Vulnerable populations should stay at home.
    • Practices scheduled with a 15 minute grace period between practices to prevent overlap of participants. 
      • No early arrivals, no “hanging out” after
      • Horseplay not allowed
    • Games are in different locations, not doing tournaments, so not an issue.
    • Stagger start times so no more than half of the complex is changing over at a time
    • Bleachers and benches are closed during practices and games.
    • Spectators to bring their own seats and blankets.
    • Where possible, one-way signage and/or tape used to limit player and patron interactions.
  • Equipment
    • Game balls disinfected before and after every game and practice. 
    • Sharing of equipment discouraged
      • How can we handle catcher’s gear?
    • All players MUST bring a water bottle:
      • To practice, if the temperature is over 80 degrees
      • To ALL games
      • Water bottle should NOT be a twist off, but “hands free” cap
    • No spitting, seeds, gum, or similar behaviors
  • Behavior
    • Parent helper to be briefed on these rules to enforce for each game and practice. Avengers non-game coaching staff to assist with enforcement. 
    • Players do not huddle together, no hand slaps. Touchless sportsmanship.
    • Bags to be hung on fence at a reasonable distance apart
    • Social Distancing is mandatory whenever possible. 
      • Umpires behind the pitcher
      • No “hands-on” coaching unless it’s your kid
    • Signage to encourage hand washing, healthy practices, and rule adjustments. 
    • Mask or face covers
      • Spectators: required when in the field area 
      • Coaches and parent helpers: required when in the field area
      • Players mask requirements
        • Not required:
        • On the field while playing defense
        • At bat, on deck, in the hole, in the “double hole”
        • Required:
        • On the bench and not in the above situations.
    • These requirements will be shared by parents as early as possible. Any new revisions should be shared.
  • In-game
    • Coaches to assess player health at the start of the game
    • Avengers teams to have maximum 3 kids in the dugout: on deck, “hole” batter and “double hole” batter.
    • Parent helper to call the “double hole” batter from the social distance seating.
      • Designated coach to help that inning’s catcher with the gear. Sanitize prior to assistance.
    • Players seated outside the dugout with their families or socially distant. Parent helper to get “double hole” players
    • No close-gathered team meetings or discussions. Posted lineups and defenses only. (Catchers to be advised as early as possible so gear can be prepared.)