South Colonie Girls Softball

COVID-19 Policy and Protocols
Guidelines for Practices, Games, Scrimmages, and Tournament Play
(Updated to conform to Reopening New York Sports and Recreation Guidelines effective 2/1/21)

1. PURPOSE

This policy was created in response to COVID-19 Pandemic, and provide guidance to all South Colonie Girls Softball (SCGS) governing members, volunteers, coaches, players and families to protect against the spread of COVID-19 while allowing our league to foster, promote and encourage sports, sportsmanship and physical activity for softball.

2. BACKGROUD

On March 7, 2020, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued Executive Order 202 declaring a state of emergency in response to COVID 19. Community transmission of COVID 19 has occurred throughout New York. To minimize further spread, social distancing of at least six feet must be maintained between individuals, where possible.

Reopening guidelines were issued July 6, 2020, in regions that have reached or surpassed Phase 3 of the State’s reopening thresholds/targets and in accordance with the guidance participants in lower and moderate risk reports and recreation activities may partake in all types of play. Softball is considered a Moderate—Risk Sport. Reopening plan guidance was updated/modified with an effective date of February 1, 2021.

During COVID-19 public health emergency, all leagues/organizations should stay up to date with any changes to state and federal requirements related to sports and recreational activities and incorporate those changes into their policies.

3. GENERAL/SCREENING

If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms of COVID-19 (refer to CDC website) – Please stay home.
If you have or anyone in your household has tested positive for COVID-19, or has been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 – Please stay home.

SCGS asks daily health screen practices to be performed for all teams/families visiting our fields. Coaches will be responsible for screening of their teams prior to each game and emailing the Coach of SCGS to which your child plays in addition to the COVID-19 Committee, which includes the SCGS Vice-President of Softball and the SCGS Treasurer, this screening at a minimum, should include the following questions:

1. Have you knowingly been in close or proximate contact in the past 14 days with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days;

2. Tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days; and/or

3. Has experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days.

SCGS cannot mandate that patrons/players/spectators complete a health screen or provide contact information, but it is strongly encouraged by SCGS.

Waivers will be required for all players and coaches.

South Colonie Girls Softball

4. PHYSCIAL DISTANCING

   1. All visitors must ensure that a distance of at least six feet is always maintained among

      individuals, unless safety of the core activity requires shorter distance. If a shorter distance is required, individuals must wear face coverings, unless players are unable to tolerate such a covering for the physical activity (practicing, playing), provided however, that coaches trainer or other individuals who are not directly engaged in the activity are required to wear face coverings.

   2. No more than 2 spectators per player.

   3. SCGS will post signage and distance markers denoting spaces of 6ft in all common areas

      ie. bathrooms and concession stand.

   4. SCGS will post signage concerning directional flow of traffic in all common areas.

   5. Dugouts can/will be utilized when face coverings are utilized.

   6. Player’s equipment/bags should be hung on the fence outside the play area. Temporary

      markers may be used to allow players to social distance outside the fenced areas.

   7. In lieu of high-fives, each team will line up on each baseline and do the “good game.”

   8. Bleachers will be closed to encourage 6ft social distancing.

   9. Pop-up canopies are ok, but no clusters, 6ft social distancing should be maintained.

5. ON-SITE ACTIVITY

   1. SCGS with limit the number of visitors to the best of our ability for compliance with field

      permit provided by the town, in accordance with state guidelines.

   2. SCGS families are encouraged to bring their own equipment ie. hats, helmets, face

      masks, catcher equipment, gloves, water bottles. In situations where equipment ie.

      catcher equipment is shared it will be cleaned/disinfected after each use by the Coach.

   3. SCGS will do its best to stagger practice and game times to be compliance with the field

      occupancy limits.

6. PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT/HYGIENE/CLEANING/DISINFECTION

   1. Individuals must wear face coverings, unless players are unable to tolerate such a

      covering for the physical activity (practicing, playing), provided however, that coaches trainer or other individuals who are not directly engaged in the activity are required to wear face coverings.

   2. Acceptable face coverings include cloth or surgical masks.

   3. Face coverings will be provided for individuals who forgot/misplaced their mask.

      Sharing of masks is discouraged.

   4. SCGS will do its best to limit the sharing of objects (equipment), however, if equipment

      needs to be shared it will be cleaned/sanitized by the Coach after each use.

   5. Sanitation stations will be placed throughout the park, containing hand sanitizer with at

      least 60% or more alcohol.

   6. Bathrooms will include handwashing soap, water, paper towels and hand sanitizer.

   7. There will be regular cleaning and disinfection of restrooms and include proper signage

      for handwashing.

7. COMMUNICATION

The Executive Board of SCGS COVID-19 Committee has reviewed the guidance and state guidelines. If you should have any questions concerning this policy, or need to inform SCGS of exposure, please contact SCGS Vice-President of Softball and the SCGS Treasurer.

8. LET’S KEEP OUR FIELDS CLEAN

1. No seeds or spitting of seeds or gum.

2. Dugouts should be cleaned out of personnel items at the end of each game, scrimmage,

   or practice, this includes water bottles, used face coverings are properly disposed.