Elite Baseball Guidelines for Baseball Tournament:
Elite Baseball has been one of the Mid Atlantic leaders in summer baseball tournaments, clinics and camps since 2006. Elite has professional staff that puts the players and families first. We have created a plan that not only allows players and teams to compete but do it at the safest possible way. By creating this plan we have thought about each person safety from the time they arrive at the field to the time they leave. We will work with our health care professionals during the tournament to make sure everyone stays as safe as possible.
Games/Tournament Guidelines: Prior to the tournament/games an email will be sent and it outlines all of the guidelines and expectations of the tournament/games. This allows everyone to be on board with the process and procedures so when they show up there are no surprises.
Prior to playing:
- Only immediate family members will be allowed to attend games. (Mom, Dad, Brother Sister) No exceptions.
- All participants, spectators, and employees must adhere to six-foot physical distancing while at the facility/course.
- Must conduct daily symptom assessments by coaches and players (self-evaluation). Anyone experiencing symptoms must stay home.
- No team water coolers or shared drinking stations.
- Compliant game balls must be designated to each team for use while that team is playing defense.
- Prior to competitive tournaments, games, or events owners must alert the local health department of the event.
- These requirements must be shared prior to the event with all players, coaches, spectators, officials, and employees prior to their arrival at the venue.
- Digital check-in and registration for all events.
- Lineups should be entered online or by spoken word and recorded by officials/umpires without exchanging any physical documents with coaches or players.
- Athletes are strongly recommended to travel to the venue alone or with a member of their immediate household.
- CDC signs will be posted at the field that include messages on proper social distancing guidelines, handwashing as well as proper face covering.
- Encourage players to wait in their cars with guardians until just before the beginning of a practice, warm-up, or game, instead of forming a group.
- If at any time during the tournament/games a player, coach, or umpire becomes sick, they will need to notify us, we will then be in contact with all families, players and area health officials to start the process of identifying who that person has come in contact with.
- A list of players, coaches, and umpires name, address and telephone number will be provided so in case of a person becoming ill, we can contact them and let them know they should start the self-quarantine process.
Game Process:
- The following will not be allowed:
- No pregame batting practice in cage, pop up net or in an open field/area
- No pregame on field infield/outfield
- No pregame exchange of lineup cards, handshakes (Ground rules will be covered with one coach standing on the grass of home plate on their side of the field, umpire at home plate and the other coach on their side in the grass.
- Players that are not playing in the game are not required but it is highly recommended to wear a face covering.
- Participants (including umpires) inside the field of play are not required to wear a face covering, but may be worn if desired.
- Dugouts will not be used for the whole team. Players bat bags will be hung up on the fence going down the foul line.
- Hand Sanitizer will be available in the dugouts and is intended to used upon entering or exiting the dugout between innings.
- When your team is hitting players must in the stands 6 feet apart.
- 1 player hitting
- 1 player on deck
- 1 player in dugout waiting to go on deck
- Players may wear masks while they play or while they are in the stands waiting to hit
- Players will not be allowed to roam when they are hitting, they need to stay in their seated area that has been marked out in the stands:
- Players will not be allowed to:
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- Share bats, bags, gloves, batting gloves, hats or catching equipment
- Share water bottles, or large coolers
- High five, hug, give fist bumps during any point of the game.
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After the Game:
- Individuals should not congregate in common areas or parking lot following the event or practice
- In lieu of handshaking lines, each team will line up on their respective foul line, tip their caps to the opposing team and then to their fans.
- Post-game meetings will be eliminated.
- Trophies and Awards will be distributed to the head coach.
- Umpires should adhere to social distancing practices when interacting with players, coaches, and spectators off the field of play.
- Individuals should not exchange items.
- After the game there will be a period of 20 minutes where no one will be allowed in the stands, or in the dugout so that the areas can be disinfected and cleaned for the next game.
- Our staff will help with the sanitation and cleaning prior to the next team coming in the dugouts.
If a confirmed case:
- Immediately isolate and seek medical care for any individual who develops symptoms.
- Contact the local health district about suspected cases or exposure.
- Contact tournament director who will have names of players, coaches, and umpires to contact and let them know.
- Organizer must maintain a complete list of coaches, players, and employees present at each event to include the date, beginning and ending time of the event, plus name, address, and phone contact to be made available upon request from local health district.