Newbury Park Pony Baseball Reopening Protocol

Revised 2/21/2021

Summary

COVID-19 continues to pose a severe risk to communities and requires all people in California to follow recommended precautions and adapt the way they live and function in light of this ongoing risk. This guidance provides direction for outdoor youth sports activities to support a safe environment for these sports.

General Guidance for Youth Participants, Coaches, and Support Staff

Until further notice, all baseball activities associated with Newbury Park Pony Baseball must take place outdoors. No batting cages or indoor training facilities allowed.   Please note: This document may be updated as additional information and resources become available.

Face Coverings

• Face coverings to be worn when not participating in the activity (e.g., on the sidelines).
• Face coverings to be worn by coaches, support staff and observers at all times, and in compliance with the CDPH.
• No sharing of drink bottles and other personal items and equipment.
• Mixing with other households prior to and post any practice or competition must strictly adhere to current gathering guidance.

Physical Distancing

• Observers maintain at least 6 feet from non-household members.
• Maintain at least six feet of distance between sport participants and others to the maximum extent possible, including when on the sidelines.
• Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between coaches and participants and facilitate physical distancing between participants to the maximum extent possible.

Hygiene and Equipment Sanitation

• Shared equipment should be cleaned and disinfected before use by another person, group, or team.
• When equipment is shared during an activity, participants should perform hand hygiene (wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer) before play, during breaks, at half time, and after the conclusion of the activity.
•  Balls or other objects or equipment can be touched by multiple players and used during practice and play if the above hand hygiene practices are followed.
• Drink bottles must not be shared, and other personal items and equipment should not be shared.
• Players and coaches are discouraged from making unnecessary physical contact with one another (for example, high-fives, handshakes, fist bumps) to limit the potential for disease to spread.

Cohorting

• Athletes and coaches should cohort by team, and refrain from participating with more than one team over the same season or time period (notwithstanding competitions permitted as outlined below).

Health Screening

• Screening is conducted before players and coaches may participate in NPPB activities. Checks will include a check-in concerning fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and fever or chills, and whether the person has had contact with a person known or suspected to be infected with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) within the last 14 days.
• These checks will be done in person or through alternative methods such as on-line check in systems. If the person has no symptoms and no contact to a known or suspected COVID-19 case in the last 14 days, they can be cleared to participate for that day.  If the person has had contact to a known or suspected COVID-19 case in the last 14 days, they should be sent home immediately and asked to quarantine at home.

Games and Practices

• Games or scrimmages are not permitted at this time. Any areas where players are seated off-field (e.g., bench, dugout) has been reconfigured to create additional seating such that players are able to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet while in the area.

Observers

• For all NPPB activities, immediate household members may observe practices and games as needed for age-appropriate supervision, but observers should be limited to ensure physical distance can be maintained, reduce potential crowding, and maintain outdoor capacity limits allowed by Tiers.
• Observers may assist teams with adherence to COVID-19 protocols and help young players with maintaining physical distancing. Observers must stay at least 6 feet from non-household members and wear face coverings at all times.
• It is encouraged to utilize live camera feed to observe on field activities at Dos Vientos Community Park.

Returning to sports after infection

• Children and teens with symptoms of COVID-19 should not attend practices or competition. They should consult their physician for testing and notify their coach or league administrator of their symptoms.
• Youths recovering from COVID-19 will have different paths to return to sports based on the severity of their illness. Those who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms should not exercise until cleared by a physician. See the American Academy of Pediatrics Interim Guidance on Return to Sports for additional guidance for more serious infections.