Edison Hatter

(7/1) In a typical year, early July is marked with fourth of July barbeques, summer concert outings, and Little League baseball tournaments. But, in a year that has been anything but normal, many cities have canceled their fourth of July celebrations and almost all concerts and other large gatherings scheduled for this summer have been postponed or canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is still a chance that local Little Leagues will be able to salvage their seasons and save summer.

Soon after practices began for the 2020 Spring Little League season, they were quickly halted in mid-March due to the pandemic. In late April, the 2020 Little League World Series, slated to begin in late August, was officially canceled, further putting aspirations of a Little League season in the local area in jeopardy. However, the proposition gained positive momentum in the early stages of June, when both Governor Larry Hogan (Maryland) and Governor Tom Wolf (Pennsylvania) allowed for the immediate resumption of youth sports. Soon after the announcement, local area Little Leagues began formulating return to play schedules, taking into careful consideration social distancing guidelines and safety procedures.

In Fairfield, PA, the Cal Ripken season for players aged 12 and younger is already underway, according to John Macinyak, Fairfield League President. Before the start of the season, the Fairfield league was first required to create a Return to Play plan that included information on the league’s plan to keep players, coaches, officials, and spectators safe. Fairfield was not required to submit their plan to district leadership, unlike other local leagues. While some teams in Adams county have elected to cancel their Cal Ripken season, several joined Fairfield in beginning the season on June 22.

Games will continue this month, culminating in an end-of-year playoff amongst teams in Adams county. The season will conclude on August 1; there will be no postseason tournaments or all-star game this year. The number of spectators for games will be limited to 250 and they will be encouraged to practice social distancing via signage posted around the playing fields. Fairfield softball plays with the Chambersburg-area league in neighboring Franklin County. Chambersburg has elected to cancel their season, dashing hopes for Fairfield softball players hoping to play in 2020.

Across the state line, in Taneytown, Mayor Bradley Wantz provided an update on the Taneytown Cal Ripken season. Similar to Fairfield, Taneytown created a Return to Play Plan, which was submitted to the Taneytown city government for approval. Taneytown will not require masks to be worn, due to the hot temperatures during the summer months, but will strongly encourage social distancing practices. Wantz said that Taneytown has already canceled the spring and summer seasons but will get an early start to the fall season. Practices will begin in July and official play will start during the second weekend of August and will conclude in October. In between, Taneytown is set to host two weekends of baseball tournaments at the end of July.

Keith Myers, Thurmont Little League President, expressed optimism that the league will be able to resume play in the immediate future. Specifically, there are plans in place to hold player clinics in the evenings and weekends after the league is approved to resume play. Initially, these clinics will be limited to ten individuals at one time, consisting of eight players and two coaches. Clinics will tentatively run through the middle of the month, when regular Little League practices will begin for a fall season currently slated to begin August 1. The August 1 date is contingent upon several factors, but Myers hopes to be able to confirm this date early this month. While this fall Little League season will be nearly identical to the regular spring season, it is expected that fewer players will play due to the overlap with other, regular fall sports. "Ultimately," Myers said, "we are just really looking forward to getting back on the fields."

Following Governor Hogan’s announcement in early June that allowed for the resumption of youth sports with limited spectators, league directors began immediate preparation for a potential season. The first step leagues had to take was creating a comprehensive "Return to Play" plan that includes safety procedures and protocols. Thurmont’s plan will need to be submitted to and approved by the leadership of the Maryland District 2 Little League, which encompasses parts of Frederick and Montgomery counties. Approval is expected to be granted early this month. Taneytown’s plan was submitted and approved by the Taneytown city government, while Fairfield’s plan did not have to be submitted to any higher-up authorities. The expectation is that local league’s Return to Play plans will include many of the recommended best practices issued by the leadership of Little League International.

Issued and most recently updated on May 18, the Little League International’s "Best Practices on Organizing, Playing, and Watching Little League Baseball and Softball During the Coronavirus Pandemic" guide provides recommended guidance for local Little Leagues to consider when creating Return to Play plans. In the guide are some general guidelines for players, coaches, umpires, and spectators to follow, including washing your hands often, covering your mouth and nose with a cloth covering, covering coughs and sneezes, and practicing social distancing and self-monitoring. However, there are two exceptions to the cloth covering recommendation: masks should not be placed on children under the age of two and players, especially those in the younger divisions, are not required to wear cloth coverings while on the field during game play.

The guide continues with on-field guidance for players, coaches, and umpires. The major recommendation is to prevent all unnecessary contact between players and coaches, including handshakes and personal contact celebrations. Instead, Little League International recommends teams tip their caps to each other following games as a sign of sportsmanship. Significant precautions are recommended in the dugout area as well, including assigning spots for each player and coach to sit to ensure six feet of distance between individuals at all times, the wearing of masks while in the dugout, and placing player equipment in a manner that prevents direct contact, while also avoiding any sharing of equipment by players. Each player and coach is advised to bring his or her own food and drink, which is not to be shared with other individuals. Sunflower seeds and gum should not be allowed, and all players and coaches should refrain from spitting at all times. Finally, all players and umpires should wear masks whenever possible, including while on the playing field and baseballs should be rotated through at least every two innings, with umpires limiting their contact with the balls.

The guide concludes with additional recommendations for umpires, as well as facility, fan, and administrative guidance. Umpires are encouraged to eliminate plate meetings, if possible, inspect player equipment without touching it whenever possible, and attempting to keep a safe distance from players at all times. Further recommendations include the frequent cleaning of shared services, spreading out scheduling of practices of practices and games, and limiting spectator attendance to essential individuals and limited family members. These attendees should practice social distancing and streaming opportunities should be used to allow for virtual spectating, if possible.