New Hampshire Hardball

Babe Ruth plans to offer state tournaments

Here is the latest information on Babe Ruth Baseball:

NOTE: New Hampshire Babe Ruth offers a summer travel program that includes tournaments each weekend beginning in late May. Teams do not have to participate in every tournament.

Due to concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and other health authorities, BABE RUTH LEAGUE, INC. is implementing health and safety procedures as part of a proactive approach to preventing the spread of germs.

Babe Ruth League, Inc. is still planning the tournament trail for all divisions later this summer and will work with all leagues to ensure the leagues will have whatever might be required for players to be eligible to participate when the time comes.  We expect to provide ongoing updates as we deal with these unprecedented circumstances.

We are suggesting these new measures be effective immediately. We cannot stress enough how vital it is that all Babe Ruth League participants acknowledge these guidelines.

Suspension/Postponement of Regular Season
Babe Ruth League suggests postponement or suspension of your local league’s season in accordance with your state’s public health department recommendations (click here for a listing of state public health departments), and other county and/or local authorities including area school districts and government agencies.

“No-Contact/No-Handshake” Policy
Babe Ruth League is recommending a precautionary “no-contact, no-handshake policy” to be observed at every level of the organization until further notice. This includes all physical contact and extends to customary game-related activities, such as pre-game coaches’ handshakes, umpire-coach introductions, and post-game handshakes between members of opposing teams. Instead, staff, players and coaches should use verbal queues, such as tipping of the cap or saying, “good game” without shaking hands, high-fiving or fist-bumping.

Maintain Good Hygiene Practices
All Babe Ruth League participants should be aware of the coronavirus risk and take the necessary precautions to avoid exposure to germs. This includes maintaining good hygiene practices. We strongly recommend the following:

  • Wash your hands often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time
  • If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol; this is suggested after any physical contact with another person or with a shared surface
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
  • Cover your mouth and nose – with a tissue, if possible – when coughing or sneezing, then properly discard the tissue in the trash
  • Avoid close contact with anyone else who is coughing or sneezing or who is otherwise sick
  • Clean or disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

In addition, cleaning and sanitizing hard surfaces and shared equipment that your league utilizes; making sure all players have their own water/drink bottles and are not sharing; stocking bathrooms and concession stand areas with soap and hand sanitizer

If you or your child are ill, have a fever, cough, or a respiratory condition, we encourage you or your child to refrain from Babe Ruth League-related activities until cleared by your healthcare provider

We will provide updates related to these new measures or let you know about any additional precautions to take if and when they become necessary. We appreciate your cooperation in following these new procedures as we work together to maintain the highest health and safety standards as an organization.

If you plan on adjusting your league’s season, please contact your Babe Ruth League State Commissioner and health@baberuthleague.org.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY LOCAL LEAGUES AND COMMISSIONERS: 

HOW SHOULD LOCAL LEAGUES HANDLE THE PAUSE OR DELAYED START OF THE REGULAR SEASON? 

Local League Officials should pause or delay the start of regular season activities in accordance with both CDC and Local/State regulations. 

DO WE HAVE A DATE FOR WHEN ACTIVITIES WILL RESUME? 

As of April 5, a date to resume is yet to be determined. Babe Ruth League is reviewing potential start dates with medical professionals. When guidance changes to allow for activities to begin, Babe Ruth League will inform leagues through email, social media channels and our website (www.baberuthleague.org). 

WHAT IF MY LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT DOES NOT RESUME SCHOOL? 

We are advising local leagues to follow local guidance on the question as to when activities in the local league can resume. Leagues and/or teams should not feel that they must try to restart or start the season to have players qualify for the tournament trail. In a year in which we have so much uncertainty, Babe Ruth League will work with leagues on aspects for players to qualify for the tournament trail. It is important for league officials to advise coaches and parents to not engage in “informal group practices” at the local league and/or at private facilities while guidelines are stressing Stay Home – Stay Safe. 

HOW WILL THE TOURNAMENT TRAIL BE AFFECTED BY THE PAUSE? 

As of April 5, it is unclear as to what changes will be made to the tournament trail for 2020 for all ages and divisions of Babe Ruth Baseball, Cal Ripken Baseball and Babe Ruth Softball. Typically, leagues who have completed charters/insurance by June 1st will have their Letter(s) of Eligibility approved by their State Commissioner on June 5th each year. We will provide updates on the tournament trail for each State and Region as more information becomes available in the month of May. As of now, we are not cancelling any events of the tournament trail; however, conditions will dictate further updates next month and in June. 

CAN A LOCAL LEAGUE EXPAND LOCAL LEAGUE PLAY TO LATER INTO THE SUMMER OR EVEN FALL? 

Yes! For many local leagues, a large portion of the players in the program are not on tournament teams. This will give leagues the ability to push further into the summer months. Also, leagues can work on ways of being creative with scheduling to help reduce any conflicts with league play and tournament trail play. A local league may also see if players and their families will want to participate in the fall of 2020. If there was ever a year to think of doing something new and/or “thinking outside of the box,” 2020 is the year. 

MY LEAGUE HAS NOT CHARTERED/INSURED FOR 2020 YET, SHOULD I WAIT? 

No. It is important that returning leagues go in and update their Board Member contact information for 2020 as well as charter and insure one (1) Major team. This will bind the league’s insurance coverage and it will indicate that the local league is franchised for the 2020 season. For All Leagues – Please remember that if you have completed a charter and insurance for the 2020 season that you can do yearly add/drops until July 1st to match your league’s enrollment numbers. For any drop in team counts (and as in years past), the league will receive a credit on charter fees to use for the 2021 season and a refund for insurance (with the exception of one (1) Major team in both charter and insurance). If you have any questions, you can contact us at 800-880-3142 M-F from 9am to 5pm EDT. 

WHERE AM I ABLE TO FIND INFORMATION FROM GOVERNMENT RELATED SITES ON THE CORONAVIRUS? 

World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen 

CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid- spreads.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Findex.html 

Listing of State Health Departments – https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/healthdirectories/healthdepartments.html 

HOW SHOULD A LEAGUE COMMUNICATE TO ITS MEMBERS THAT A PLAYER, COACH OR VOLUNTEER HAS A CONFIRMED CASE OF THE CORONAVIRUS? 

Sample Text a league can use – 

Dear ((INSERT LEAGUE NAME)) Member, 

The safety and well-being of all of our participants is always our paramount concern but now, more than ever. 

We were recently notified that an individual associated with our league has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (Coronavirus). To respect the safety and privacy of that individual, we will not be sharing any personal details on that individual. 

Unfortunately, prior to the individual’s diagnosis, and/or before our league suspended its activities, that individual participated in the following league activities: 

((INSERT GAME/PRACTICE/LEAGUE ACTIVITY DETAILS INCLUDING DATES; PLEASE DO NOT SHARE PERSONAL INFORMATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL UNLESS YOU HAVE CONSENT TO DO SO)) 

For anyone who participated or attended any of these events, we strongly urge you to follow the recommendations of the CDC, which can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps- when-sick.html. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as a cough or difficulty breathing, please call your healthcare provider for medical advice. 

We are thinking of this individual battling the Coronavirus, as well as everyone in our ((INSERT LEAGUE NAME)) family at this difficult time. 

Thank you for your understanding, patience, and compassion as we navigate this difficult situation. 

Sincerely, 

(INSERT LEAGUE PRESIDENT AND/OR BOARD NAME) 

E-LEARNING AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH FROM LEAGUE TO THE MEMBERS. 

We are recommending that local leagues use technology to engage your member players and families. These can range from using “FaceTime”, “ZOOM” or “Microsoft TEAMS” to have team players gather for conversation, some possible home training on certain skills or even a virtual team party. It is a great way to help people stay connected and do what is best about local league play, which is serving your local community. 

Ideas for virtual team parties could include advising families to grab take-out from an area restaurant that sponsors the local league. 

We are working with partners to provide some e-learning options on different kinds of skills that could be done at home by players. 

Use your community program to serve your community. 

WHAT IF A 2020 SEASON DOES NOT HAPPEN? 

Yes, this is a possibility and we will cross that bridge when the time comes. Depending on where your program is located, some leagues were already 3⁄4 of the way through local league play while some have only had a few practices. Some have not even started at all. All of us want to get out on the field again, but it is important that the safety of the players, their families and the community is first, and foremost, in the decisions that we make. Babe Ruth League Staff at Headquarters are working remotely from home. All of us here want you, your family and the members of your local program to remain safe and healthy. If you need to reach out, you can contact us at 1-800-880-3142 M-F EDT. You can also email questions to health@baberuthleague.org (When submitting your questions, please provide your League name and your State as this will help us to serve you faster.). 

YOU’RE NOT STUCK IN THE HOUSE – YOU’RE SAFE AT HOME 

Stronger Together 

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