In an effort to exercise all due diligence in providing our players, coaches, interns, umpires, staff and fans the safest possible environment, the league’s executive committee has implemented the following changes to league procedures:
SOCIAL DISTANCING – In addition to requiring all staff and fans to maintain proper social distancing while at the ballpark, for the 2020 season, players will maintain proper social distancing practices on and off the diamond. Rule adjustments concerning players staying in the dugouts have been made to allow for players to spread out down their respective sidelines to be able to maintain proper social distancing.
NO SHARED WATER – There will no longer be team water coolers or shared drinking coolers; each player will be responsible to bring their own personal cooler with an adequate supply of water/gator-aide for their use.
NO SHARED EQUIPMENT – Each player will provide 100% of their own personal safety equipment, such as batting helmets, Evo-Shields, etc. and will not be sharing equipment with other teammates. Each player will be responsible to bring their equipment along with everything they will need for the game with them to and from each game.
HAND SANITIZING STATIONS – will be set up by each dugout to allow the players and coaches to sanitize their hands regularly throughout the game.
DAILY COVID-19 SCREENING – Players, coaches, staff and umpires will be required to undergo daily screening for COVID-19 symptoms. Players, coaches, staff and umpires will us the self screening guidelines provided by the CDC to monitor daily for any recognized symptoms of COVID-19 infection (see below).
• A fever of 100.4°F or higher.
• A new cough that I cannot attribute to another health condition.
• Shortness of breath that I cannot attribute to another health condition.
• Chills that I cannot attribute to another health condition.
• A new sore throat that I cannot attribute to another health condition.
• A change in my senses of smell and/or taste
• A headache that I cannot attribute to another health condition
REPORTING – Players, coaches, staff and umpires are required to immediately report to the league commissioner if they believe they have the symptoms of COVID-19, feel unwell and/or have been in immediate contact with someone who is known to be infected with COVID-19 and are not to attend any team practices or games until cleared to do so by the league’s front office.
WAIVERS – Players, coaches, staff and umpires will be required to sign separate COVID-19 indemnification waivers that will include an agreement that should they become infected with COVID-19 or become exposed to someone with COVID-19, Tidewater Summer League, LLC. may inform other league members or individuals who have been around them that they may be at risk.
QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS – If any player, coach, intern and/or umpire test positive for COVID-19 infection, or are otherwise diagnosed as infected with COVID-19, the player, coach, staff and/or umpire will self-quarantine for at least 14 days, and will not attempt to return to any league activity until they have been fever-free (unmediated by any fever-reducing medication) for 72 hours.
RESTRICTIONS – No players, coach, staff member, umpire or fan is allowed to attend any league practices or games if they have a fever, feel unwell or display the symptoms associated with COVID-19.
LIMITING THE NUMBER OF FANS ATTENDING GAMES – The league will follow CDC and VA DOH guidance regarding the number of people allowed to attend an outdoor event and limit fan attendance accordingly. We will continue to monitor said guidance throughout the season, and make adjustments to increase that number as allowed by the Governor and the phased reopening of our industry. In addition, fans will be required to maintain proper social distancing measures at all times.
LIVE BROADCAST – The league will live stream all games free of charge on our Facebook &/or Twitter pages. Fan’s will also be able to follow all of the action online via our Game Changer feed.
The league will continue to monitor the most up to date guidance provided by the CDC and the VA Dept. of Health and their impact on our industry. We reserve the right to continue to make any changes necessary to better ensure the safety of our players, coaches, interns, umpires, staff and fans. We look forward to a great summer of baseball.
Thank you in advance for your continued support and cooperation as we work together to bring baseball back for the 2020 summer.