The Jamaica Plain Regan Youth League will be offering a very modified, skills-building season for players ages 7-17 this summer. JPRYL will have baseball programs for the Farm (7-8 years), Junior (9-10 years), Senior (11-12 years) and Pony A Divisions (13-14 years).   JPRYL will have one softball Division for 2020 for 11-15 year olds.  We will also have baseball programs for players in the Pony B division (15-17) once games are allowed per state and city guidelines. 

In order to provide these programs, all participants (coaches, families and spectators) must follow strict health and safety requirements. 

These guidelines are necessarily restrictive in order to ensure the safety of our community and are subject to change at any time, with or without advance notice, if the Board of Directors feel necessary or if we get updated directives from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), State or City of Boston. 

The safety of our community will depend on all players, coaches and families adhering to these requirements.  The Board of Directors of JPRYL reserves the right to take necessary action, including expelling players from play if they or their families fail to comply with restrictions.

We will be starting the season with practices only for players 14 and younger.  If the JPRYL feels it is safe to do so, and state and city guidelines allow, we may also play scrimmages later in the season. Teams will be created this year without the customary player skills assessment. Because of this, we may not be able to create evenly balanced teams as we normally try to do. Therefore, we have decided that, if we are able to play scrimmages later in the summer, no standings will be kept and there will be no playoffs or championships games in 2020.  We know this is disappointing, but we feel that it is the fairest and safest decision, and is in the spirit of this shorter season.

Coaches will be receiving training and support in order to comply with the requirements below.  All COVID-19 related concerns or questions should first be addressed to your player’s coach, or to the President of JPRYL, Jodi Sugerman-Brozan at (LEAGUE PHONE).

Umpires for games (15-17 only) and possible scrimmages will also receive training on these requirements.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

Stay home if you are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19:

• Prior to attending any JPRYL practice, game or scrimmage, players, families and spectators should assess their health by taking their temperature.Anyone with a temperature, feeling ill or experiencing symptoms must stay home.
• We also ask that anyone considered at high risk of COVID-19 please stay home.
• Any player from a household where anyone has tested positive for COVID-19, or who has come in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, must stay home for 14 days.
• Any player from a household where anyone has tested positive for COVID-19, or who has come in contact with anyone that has tested positive for COVID-19, please contact JPRYL President Jodi Sugerman-Brozan (617-983-1563) immediately so we may take appropriate “contact tracing” action which may include player, household and team quarantines.

More information about COVID-19 symptoms can be found in multiple languages on the Boston Public Health Commission website here. 

Wear a face covering to protect you and your teammates, coaches and community:

• All players and non-players (coaches, families, spectators and, when applicable, umpires) will be required to wear face coverings at all times.We encourage players to bring their own masks to all practices, games and scrimmages.  However, coaches will have a supply if needed.

   

  PRACTICES, GAMES AND SCRIMMAGES:

  In order to ensure social distancing, practices will be limited to players and coaches only.

• In each of the divisions, we will have teams of 8 players and 2 coaches.Practices will be required to keep groups to 10 people or fewer (8 players and 2 coaches) for the duration of the practice.If later in the season circumstances allow games or scrimmages, we will update this guideline.

• Players will not be allowed to attend practices of other teams, and no one other than rostered players (including siblings) will be allowed to attend practices.
• Coaches will take attendance at each practice to aide in contact tracing should that become necessary.
• Players should not arrive early for practices, games or scrimmages, and are asked to leave promptly at the end of all activities.No recreational play or watching the next team play or practice will be allowed.

  Social distancing must be maintained at all times when off the field.

• Players will not be allowed in the dugout area at any time.Each player must have a blanket or chair to go to when the player is not on the field or at bat/on deck.Each player’s belongings should be kept at their blanket/chair, which must be at least 6 feet away from all teammates.
• At games and scrimmages, when on-deck, players will be allowed in the on-deck circle by themselves.
• Families must remain 25 feet from practices, scrimmages and games at all times, and must social distance at least 6’ from each other when watching practices from a safe distance. Families will need to bring their own chairs and blankets. Bleacher seating will be prohibited.

Sharing of equipment will be strictly prohibited.

• If possible, we encourage players to supply their own batting helmet, bat and glove.If a batting helmet or bat is needed, at the start of the season, JPRYL will allow players to borrow a sanitized helmet and bat that will be their own to use for the duration of the season.That player will then be responsible for bringing that piece of equipment home and bringing it back for all practices.
• Sharing equipment, water bottles, towels, etc. will be strictly prohibited.
• Catchers will be encouraged to bring their own gear.However, if teams do not have a catcher with their own gear, sanitized league gear will be available but only for one player per practice, game or scrimmage.
• Coaches will be supplied disinfection wipes and will be asked to sanitize all the teams balls and equipment (catchers gear, etc.) at the end of each practice, game or scrimmage.
• At the end of the season, all players who borrow equipment will be expected to clean and sanitize the equipment and return it to JPRYL.

No sharing of food, water or snacks.

• While we know that this is part of JPRYL and baseball culture, it will be strictly prohibited this season. Players cannot share food or drinks and candy, chewing gum or sunflower seeds will not be allowed.

  Handwashing and Sanitation.

• Player will be required to use hand sanitizer at least every 30 minutes during practices, or after each half inning during scrimmages and games.We encourage players to bring their own supply of hand sanitizer, however coaches will also be provided a supply for each team.
• Balls will also be sanitized by coaches every 30 minutes, or at the end of each half inning.
• Pitchers will be expected to sanitize their hands after each half inning is complete.
• Spectators should not touch or retrieve foul balls.Coaches should designate one player per practice, scrimmage or game to retrieve balls.
• To maintain social distancing, there will be no team huddles, handshakes, high fives, fist/elbow bumps, spitting or other group celebrations allowed.Tipping of the hat and clapping will be encouraged.