These Guidelines will be updated as new information is released from the Commonwealth in regards to the Re-opening process
Last Update - 5/18/2021
Team Safety Officer Responsibilities
In addition to the responsibilities above the team safety officer will also monitor social distancing and compliance with protective actions, as well as prompt other staff and athletes about social distancing, hand hygiene, and the use of face coverings. They will also help guide players on where to place their equipment prior to practices and be sure that good social distancing practices are maintained. This individual will report any issues to the NBSA Safety Officer.
Parents/Guardians
Assist Coaches, Managers and Team Safety Officers with explaining the policies and precaution outlined in this document. Parents/guardians should also be ensuring that their child’s hands are properly sanitized before and after practice.
If ANY player, coach, volunteer, fan becomes ill with flu like symptoms OR has been in contact with someone who is sick, they are asked to please remain home and follow the Massachusetts Health Department guidelines. If tested positive, please contact the league Safety Officer (Darryl Hey:
or 508-245-4926) immediately so all who have been in contact or close range to the individual can be notified; however due to HIPPA, no name will be given. Current list of symptoms is available here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html.
Because COVID-19 can be spread from an asymptomatic person, your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated for the safety and health of everyone.
Personal Protective Equipment
Facial coverings are no longer required for youth aged 18 years and under when outdoors and engaged in low, moderate and high-risk sports or for adults aged 19 years and older when outdoors and engaged in low risk or moderate risk sports where social distancing can be consistently maintained.
A facial covering means a face mask or cloth facial covering that completely covers the nose and mouth
Player’s equipment should be spaced accordingly (at least 6 feet apart) to prevent direct contact and players should keep all equipment contained to their assigned area.
Measures should be enacted to avoid, or minimize, equipment sharing when feasible.
Individuals disinfecting equipment should use gloves while using disinfectants and follow the manufacturer’s directions for use. All disinfectants should be stored properly, in a safe area, out of reach of children.
Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily and in between all facility uses, including practices and games. This includes tables, doorknobs, fence gates used to enter/exit the field, facility equipment, and dugouts.
If surfaces are visibly soiled or dirty, they should be cleaned with a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
Equipment
Baseballs
Umpires should limit their contact with the ball, and catchers should retrieve foul balls and passed balls where possible.
Foul balls landing outside the field of play should be retrieved by participating players, coaches, and umpires. No spectators should retrieve the ball.
Players Equipment
Players should have their own individual batter’s helmet, glove, bat, catcher’s equipment and batter’s gloves are encouraged.
Players should have their own hand sanitizer to use during practices and games.
Player’s equipment (e.g. bags, helmets, bats, gloves, etc.) should be cleaned and disinfected after each use by a parent/guardian/caretaker.
Shared Equipment
Some critical equipment may not be able to be obtained by every individual. When it is necessary to share critical or limited equipment, all surfaces of each piece of shared equipment must be cleaned first and then disinfected with an EPA-approved disinfectant against COVID-19 and allowed sufficient time to dry before used by a new player. Increased attention should be paid to detailed cleaning of all equipment directly contacting the head and face (e.g. catcher’s mask, helmets).
Personal Contact/Hygiene
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or about the time it takes to recite the Little League Pledge twice, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Players are required to bring their own hand sanitizer for personal use (the league will also have hand sanitizer available for players and coaches for all league activities).
Sunflower seeds, gum, etc., should not be allowed in dugouts or on the playing field.
All players and coaches are to refrain from spitting at all times, including in dugout areas and on the playing field.
Players and coaches should take measures to prevent all but the essential contact necessary to play the game. This should include refraining from handshakes, high fives, fist/elbow bumps, chest bumps, group celebrations, etc. Teams are encouraged to line up outside the dugout and tip caps to the opposing team as a sign of good sportsmanship after a game.
Food-Drink
Athletes, managers/coaches, and umpires should bring their own personal drinks to all team activities. Drinks should be labeled with the person’s name.
Individuals should take their own drink containers home each night for cleaning and sanitation or use single-use bottles.
There should be no use of shared or team beverages.
Teams should not share any snacks or food. Players should bring individual, pre-packaged food, if needed.
Field Preparation and Maintenance
Fields should be mowed, raked, and lined prior to teams and spectators arriving at the complex and after they depart. It is encouraged that volunteers already participating in the game (managers/coaches, umpires, and league administrator) perform these tasks to limit individuals at the site.
It is recommended that any shared field preparation equipment be sprayed or wiped with cleaner and disinfectant before and after each use.
All Practices MUST be scheduled through the league website so proper time between teams can be kept, and there is also a record of when teams are practicing. If you are not on the schedule DO NOT show up to practice.
League administrators will schedule sufficient time between practices and games to facilitate the complete evacuation of individuals from a previous practice or game from the premises before the next group enters.
Players/families/spectators are instructed not to show up to fields more than 40 minutes before game time.
Arrivals to the complex will be scheduled to help ensure a large number of individuals are not arriving at the same time.
If there is a game or practice prior to your event, families and spectators are encouraged to stay in their vehicles or at recommended social distances until the start of their game play to prevent overcrowding of spectator spaces and walkways.
Game-Practice Guidelines
In phase IV, step 1, sports and activities included in the Moderate Risk level (which baseball/softball is in) can only participate in Level 1, 2, 3 and 4 type play as defined below
Level 1: Individual or socially distanced group activities (non-contact workouts, aerobic conditioning, individual skill work, and drills)
Level 2: Competitive Practices (Intra-team/group games, contact drills, and scrimmages)
Dugouts, benches & bleachers are allowed to open only if they can be thoroughly cleaned before and after every use and six feet of distance can be maintained.
Players and coaches should take measures to prevent all but the essential contact necessary to play the game. This should include refraining from handshakes, high fives, fist/elbow bumps, chest bumps, group celebrations, etc. Teams are encouraged to line up outside the dugout and tip caps to the opposing team as a sign of good sportsmanship after a game.
Spectators are encouraged to bring their own chairs. Outfield areas away from players are designated for spectators at Casey Field and the area behind home plate is designated for spectators at Memorial Field. Outfield areas at Lower Memorial, Zeh school and Lincoln Street School are designated for spectators
Individuals are not allowed to congregate in common areas or parking lots before, during or following practices or events. Tailgating and other social gatherings are strictly prohibited in common areas.
No spectators allowed for sports and activities played by individuals 21 years and older.
For facilities with multiple fields, surfaces, courts, etc. the above capacity limitations for Outdoor Competitions & Tournaments and Indoor Competitions shall apply per playing field, surface, court, etc. provided that there is adequate spacing for at least six feet social distancing for all individuals, including those at adjacent fields, surfaces, courts, etc.
