Below is a link to the COVID-19 guidelines NB&S will be following during Phase 3 for practices and games.

http://files.LeagueAthletics.com/Images/Club/13117/Covid 19 Guidelines/NB&S COVID-19 Phase III Guidance.pdf

In addition to the above document, please refer to these clarifying FAQ:

Q - What should coaches be disinfecting?

A – They should disinfect shared surfaces used during a practice or game.  This could include dugout benches, bases, the bin handle, equipment used like the rake, and the lock.  Disinfecting the hand sanitizer pump too is important!  Coaches should be using hand sanitizer as they arrive at the fields prior to handling these items too.  The provided disinfectant requires 10 minutes of contact time to be effective.  Spray nozzles and pumps should be picked up by coaches – contact your league director if you do not have them yet.  This is essential for holding baseball activities.

Q – When do players need to wear their face cover?

A- It is required to be on unless they are playing one of the 9 defensive positions in a game or actively participating on the field in a practice.  The nose AND mouth should be covered to be effective.  Just because a player is wearing a face covering does not mean they should not try to distance themselves from others.  The league provided “buffs” should be washed between uses. Even if you personally are not concerned with the safety aspect of it, the town and state are requiring these things of us in order to play baseball on their fields.

Q- When should I contact my manager about a possible COVID exposure or high risk travel?

A – If your son or daughter (or a coach themself) has been exposed to a confirmed COVID positive person, please contact your manager immediately and they will escalate it up to the League Director and a group on the Board to follow our protocols.  If there is a probable case, please use your judgement and be safe and hold them out until it is confirmed either way. If a household member is diagnosed with COVID, the player(s) and coach in that home will be asked to avoid baseball events until (a) the later of (i) 14 days after diagnosis and isolation of the household member, or (ii) 3 days after the household member no longer has symptoms of COVID, and (b) the player(s) and/or coach, as applicable, has been cleared to resume baseball activities by their primary care physician. Even if not diagnosed, if someone in your household is displaying COVID symptoms, the player(s) and coach in that household should refrain from attending NB&S events.  If you have travelled outside of the 7 state area (NE + NY, NJ), we are asking that the state’s 14-day quarantine instruction be followed and that you notify your team’s manager and league director about the travel.  As we are now required to report multiple unexcused absences to the town Board of Health, please be in touch with your manager in these cases.

Q – What should I do to properly sanitize my hands? 

A - Enough sanitizer should be applied that the entire surface of the hand is wet (back, palm, in between fingers) and then rub your hands together until the sanitizer has completely dried before doing anything else.

Q – We are having trouble distancing the kids on in the “Extended Dugout”.  Any suggestions?

A – Many teams have found bringing a chair for every player has been effective.  If they are sitting in their chair, they are less likely to wander from their distanced personal spot.  Also, having players place their equipment at fence poles, which are often separated by 10’, provides an excellent guide for separation when off the field and on water breaks.

Q – How can we end the game without a handshake line?

A – In the spirit of good sportsmanship, some softball or baseball teams are lining up (distanced) along the 1B and 3B lines and either clapping or tipping the cap to the other team.

Q – What should the safety monitor for each team be doing?

A – They are there to remind the kids to sanitize frequently, make sure kids are distancing in the “extended dugout” and reminding them to wear their face coverings largely.  This lets the coaches focus on the game better.

Q – Should kids help with field prep this season?

A – No – this should be done by coaches, preferably from the same team to limit touching equipment before it is disinfected before being put away.  It is best if one team, the home team, handles all field prep and access to the bin.

Q – Should I leave the disinfectant or hand sanitizer in my car?

A – No.  These items will lose their potency after exposure to prolonged extreme heat.

Q – How do you deal with clearing a bat for a player?

A – One way could be for the coach to clear their player’s bat by holding the barrel.  Hopefully coaches and players are regularly sanitizing during the game too.  It is also a reminder that it is good practice to disinfect your child’s equipment after each game/practice or sit unused for a couple days.

Q - Why are you requiring only the players/coaches to retrieve foul balls?

A – We are limiting contact with the baseballs to just the defensive team in the field.  This reduces incidental contact by others and potentially reduces the spread of a case.

Q - Should fans engage in social distancing and wear masks at the games?

A - Yes. The state and local Board of Health have required social distancing and masks in situations in which distancing may not be possible. 

Q – What if the team is playing outside of Needham?

A – Rocket Travel and Needham Softball teams are playing at fields outside of Needham. Each travel league has additional guidance for the out of town fields. The outside leagues are providing additional guidance to teams and players traveling to their out of town games. Your son/daughter’s coach will share additional guidance that may be above and beyond what Needham Baseball & Softball shared for games played in Needham against another Needham team. If there is clarification needed, please work with the respective directors of the league.

Q – What if I see something that appears problematic under the Covid safety rules?

A – Bring your concern up to coaches or a team’s safety monitor and, if not resolved, contact the appropriate league director. The league cannot undertake investigative and police work, so everyone is relying on the family members who are participating and the entire community to comply with appropriate safety measures.