Walla Walla Valley Baseball Club (WWVBC) Return to Play Safety Plan
1-17-2020
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The health and safety of all WWVBC players, coaches, families as well as the baseball community is our first priority. The information here is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, and it does not supersede any directives or restrictions issued from local, state or federal authorities. The purpose of this Safety Plan is to provide detail for the WWVBC Return to Play protocols, processes, and procedures. It is determined that strict adherence to the protocols set forth in this document provide for the health and well-being of club players, coaches, employees and volunteers. This plan is being created in response to Washington State Governor’s Office communication released on Monday January 11, 2021 as it relates to Sporting Activities.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES
This Safety Plan contains detailed information, rules, and procedures pertaining to all facets of our Operations and how we will conduct ourselves over the next weeks and months. Additionally, WWVBC has adopted several new Policies in response to current conditions. Our hope is that in time, many of these rules, policies, and procedures will be lifted or removed and that the sport of baseball returns to something closer to how we remember it. With many more details to follow, here are 10 important rules to remember:
1. Be smart: if you are sick, stay home for at least fourteen (10) days. This applies to everyone: players, coaches, and parents. If you have been sick, remain home for at least 3 days after recovery.
2. Screening: During the first week, we will greet all participants before practice and ask if they have been sick in the last 14 days or in direct contact with a person who is sick. Players will be sent home immediately if the answer is “yes.” After the first week, coaches will greet players as they arrive and do a quick health check.
3. Sanitize: have hand sanitizer available and encourage hand washing before and after all activities.
4. Group play: all activities will be limited to the max number allowed in the current phase.
5. Physical play: We will facilitate baseball activities that eliminate physical contact. All drills and small-sided games will have as little physical contact as possible.
6. No high-fives, handshakes, or hugs: as much as we want to physically connect, this is not a safe practice for anybody right now.
7. Masks: All participants MUST wear masks at all times. No exceptions.
8. Drop-off/pick-up: parents should remain in the car for drop-off and pick-up. No spectators will be allowed during Phase 1
9. Water bottles: to minimize accidental sharing of water, players must keep their water bottles in their own bag when not in use.
10. Have fun, stay positive: everyone is looking to each other to stay calm, supportive, and compassionate during this time.
POLICIES
As part of our response to COVID-19 and Return to Play, WWVBC has created or expects to create several new policies. Many of these take effect immediately while others are timed to coincide with phase advancement.
NEW POLICIES, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY (PHASE 1)
1. Illness or suspected Illness: If any player, coach, employee, or volunteer of WWVBC feels sick, exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, or suspects direct exposure to COVID-19, they must stay away from practices, meetings, and any other activity that would bring them into contact with another WWVBC person.
In all situations,
a. Individual must self-isolate for fourteen (10) days
b. Immediately notify team, coach and club officials
c. Review the COVID Case Positive document published by the Washington State Department of Health https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/COVIDcasepositive.pdf
d. Players must also be symptom free for at least three (3) days prior to returning to play. Player(s) may only return sooner if a medical provider provides written confirmation that the player(s) tested negative for COVID-19 and releases the player(s) in writing to resume training.
e. WWVBC strongly encourages any individual who suspects they may have COVID-19 to get tested and seek advice from a medical professional as soon as possible.
2. If anyone in an assigned player training group is diagnosed with COVID-19, then the entire group must self-isolate from training for a total of at least fourteen (10) days. Players and coaches must also be symptom free for at least three (3) days before returning to play. Players and coaches who are tested for COVID-19 may return sooner, if a medical provider provides written confirmation that the player tested negative and releases the player in writing to resume training.
3. Screening: Prior to being admitted to a field/facility, all players and coaches must go through a screening process. This will include answering a few questions and may include a thermal temperature scan.
4. Masks should always be worn.
5. Only coaches, authorized volunteers, and players are allowed on and around the training facilities. All other persons, including family members and guardians, are prohibited from loitering near the fields or facilities and must remain in their vehicles.
6. NO TEAM TRANSPORTATION OR OVERNIGHTS. Until further notice, no team may schedule or attend any tournament or other team activity that requires team transportation or an overnight stay. All players must find transportation to WWVBC events.
7. No more than 6 players are allowed in a training area at the same time. Players who are grouped together must stay within the same group for the duration of Phase 1. While determining which team members will make up a group, the coach (and team manager, if needed) should take into consideration teammates who carpool to/from practice and teammates who are socializing outside of the field.
PHASE 2 POLICIES ONCE WALLA WALLA COUNTY IS APPROVED
All policies from Phase 1 are still in effect unless specifically removed or changed.
1. The 6-player limit is lifted for outdoors: Full-team practices may commence. Light contact is allowed; however, it should be kept to a minimum.
2. No more than 200 people are allowed around one field of play. This count includes players, coaches, referees and spectators. Masks are required for everyone.
3. Competitions are allowed for Baseball.
PLAYER SAFETY
Players and player families will receive instructions from the Club regarding personal safety and protocols in place during Phase 2.
Instructions include the following: Players Should:
• Take temperature daily. If a player is feeling ill, has a fever above 100.3 degrees F, or is exhibiting any symptoms, please keep the player home and notify the club immediately.
• Wash hands thoroughly before and after training, and any contact outside your home.
• Bring and use hand sanitizer with you at every training session. Players should sanitize their hands at the beginning and end of each training session.
• Players should avoid carpooling, if possible. However, if carpooling is done it should be limited to players in the same group for the duration of Phase 2. Please advise the team’s coach of carpool situations. Once a carpool group is established, please do not switch to a different carpool group.
• Wear a mask while carpooling and before and after all training sessions. Additionally, if players are outside of the field of play face masks must be worn. This protects others if you are unknowingly carrying the virus.
• Do not touch or share anyone else’s equipment.
• Bring your own equipment to training and label it as your own.
• Practice social distancing and place bags and other equipment in specified areas at least 6 feet apart from teammates’ equipment during sessions.
• When possible, players should store their equipment in their bag/backpack when not in use
• Wash and sanitize all equipment before and after every training session.
• No group celebrations with players closer than six feet, no high fives, hugs, cheers, etc. • DO NOT share water. Keep water bottles in their own bag when not in use.
The Club has established the following policy regarding players exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or who suspect exposure: If someone in your household or someone whom you know that your player(s) had contact with is diagnosed with COVID-19, then:
1. Player must self-isolate for fourteen (10) days
2. Immediately notify team and club officials
3. Review the COVID Case Positive document published by the Washington State Department of Health https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/COVIDcasepositive.pdf
4. Players must also be symptom free for at least three (3) days prior to returning to play. Player(s) may only return sooner if a medical provider provides written confirmation that the player(s) tested negative for COVID-19 and releases the player(s) in writing to resume training.
FIELD LOGISTICS AND PROCEDURES
All coaches, players, and families will receive clear instructions about how fields will be set up during Phase 2 and the protocols and procedures related to each field.
GENERAL RULES
1. Volunteers and coaches should park in areas that do not create congestion around the designated pickup/drop-off zones
2. Please do not arrive to the field more than 5 minutes prior to your player’s assigned start time. Please also make sure that you are prompt to be at the designated pickup zone ON TIME.
3. Carpools should be limited strictly to player groups and players should always stay in the same carpool. This group should be communicated to the coach so that the group can be assigned to the same practice times. Players carpooling should be wearing masks during their travel together and inside of the car.
4. When being dropped off, players should wear their facemask prior to exiting the car and keep it on until training begins. Once training is over and players are preparing to return to the pickup zone, they should again wear the mask and keep it on until they are inside the vehicle. Masks should be stored in the player’s backpack during training.
5. Fields will be setup by the assigned coaches for each practice. Volunteers should not be used for field setup; however, if it is necessary to have a volunteer perform this, all setup activity must be complete and the volunteer clear of the field prior to player arrival.
6. Players are to place their equipment and bags in designated areas and no closer than six feet apart. If possible, all player equipment should be stored in their bags when not in use.
7. Each field will have a screener who is tasked with greeting players as they arrive at the field. Players must check in with the screener prior to entering the field area. In complying with the State and with WWVBC, during phase 2 we will divide our training areas in a way that provides spacing for small groups of players and compartmentalization. Specifically, these small groups should never come within 12 feet of one another. The exception would be for baserunners and fielders. Coaching staff will provide instruction to limit lead-offs and stealing during phase 2. All players should maintain 6 feet of separation when on the field of play unless applying a tag for an advancing runner.
COACHING PROTOCOLS
All coaches will receive training and documentation on the protocols and procedures of our Safety Plan. Each coach will be required to acknowledge (in writing) that they have received and understand the training material prior to engaging their team(s) on the field.
All coaches must:
• As with players, coaches should be screened prior to arriving on the field.
• Ensure the health and safety of players. Inquire how the athletes are feeling, send them home if they act or discuss feeling ill. If players are sent home, the coach must alert the WWVBC Registrar and VP and give them details
• Follow all established federal, state, and local protocols.
• Ensure all athletes have their individual equipment (gloves, bat, water bottles, bag, etc.) and prohibit them from sharing anything. Equipment placement should be spaced at least 6 feet apart in the designated areas
• In the event that a player needs to use WWVBC batting helmet the coach will be responsible to insure that the player disinfects the helmet following use
• Coaches must strictly enforce social distancing per the current phase guidelines. Physical contact should be discouraged
• Coaches must always wear a face mask per current phase protocol and social distance from players when required.
• Wash and sanitize your own equipment after every session.
• The use of scrimmage vests/pinnies is not allowed unless players bring their own, and it must not be shared with teammates.
• Increase your communication with parents, they need to know what you are doing as a coach and club to maintain their safety.
The Club has established the following policy regarding coaches exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or who suspect exposure: If a coach suspects exposure to COVID-19 or is exhibiting any symptoms, he/she should:
1. Immediately notify club official
b. Board VP: Corey Braunel (509)301-4470
2. Self-isolate for fourteen (10) days
3. Review the COVID Case Positive document published by the Washington State Department of Health https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/COVIDcasepositive.pdf
4. Coaches must also be symptom free for at least three (3) days prior to returning to play. Coaches may only return sooner if a medical provider provides written confirmation that the coach tested negative for COVID-19 and releases the coach in writing to resume training.
COMMUNICATION PLAN
WWVBC has established the following communication plan related to Return to Play, this Safety Plan document, COVID-19, and related issues. For any situation not covered by this communication plan, please contact Andy Coleman, President via email at [email protected]