Softball UPDATE Overview and Information for Head Softball Coaches - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Softball UPDATE

Overview and Information for Head Softball Coaches 2020 Summer

Overview

• Review of Department of Education/IDPH guidance
• Review of information related to: Eligibility, Screening & Testing,

Social Distancing, Practice and Games Protocols, Facilities and Umpires

• Please submit questions through the Q&A feature-we will

attempt to answer them live. The Chat feature is not for questions.

• Once presentation is over, we will also answer questions or

review information in more detail.

• Zoom is recorded and a link will be provided for later viewing. We

will also provide a transcript of all the QAs from today.

Department of Education Overview

• June 1 Practice begins
• Signage-see IHSAA/IGHSAU websites
• No dugouts-line up equipment 6’ apart along fence
• No parents or remain in cars
• Players should utilize own equipment as much as

possible

Department of Education Overview

• Coaches ensure social distancing between players as

much as possible. Additional spacing between players while playing catch, drills, waiting to bat

• No shared water facilities/food-players bring own-parents

should not provide food for entire team

• Coaches must sanitize shared equipment before and after

each practice

• Players provide own sanitizer
• No sunflower seeds

Department of Education Overview

• Temperature check before practice for

coaches/players/practice personnel (trainers).

• Take temp at home and report (Over 100.3 is fever)
• Any one exhibiting symptoms should not attend practice;

must remain fever free for 24 hours to return if no other symptoms present

• Review with school nurse or medical professional each

players’ pre-existing conditions to take additional precautions

• Coaches must track absences for potential COVID-19

De Depar artment o

• f E

Educatio ion O Overvie iew

• Contact local public health if a positive case of

COVID-19 is reported

• Link to listing: https://idph.iowa.gov/lphs/local-

public-health-agencies

• More information is being provided to schools on

protocols necessary when symptoms and positive tests are present.

Department of Education Overview

• June 15 Competitions may begin
• Post signage
• Use of dugouts permitted-social distancing outside
• f dugouts outside fence toward foul pole.
• Players use own equipment/towels
• Players utilize own water source/food
• Coaches must sanitize shared equipment

Department of Education Overview

• Players and coaches check temperature before each

game

• Anyone displaying symptoms is not allowed to

participate

• Limit use of bleachers for fans. Encourage use of own

chairs.

• Fans displaying symptoms are not allowed
• Social distancing practiced between households-

personal responsibility for following for public health guidelines

Department of Education Overview

• Schools may Implement any other reasonable measures

under the circumstances of each school to ensure social distancing of staff, students, and community members, increased hygiene practices, and other public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 consistent with guidance issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health

• No concessions stands at school owned facilities
• School must contact Public Health if a positive case of

COVID-19 is reported.

Tr Transportation Guidelines

• Passenger Screening
• Players and coaches should have their temperature checked at home

before any trip. Individuals with a temperature of over 100.3 should not be transported to games.

• Players should also be screened for symptoms following the most

recent CDC guidelines.

• Sick persons, people who have been in contact with a sick person or

COVID-19 case, and persons who are high risk should not be in group settings.

Tr Transportation Guidelines

• Driver Health and Safety
• Consistent with Iowa Department of Public Health guidance, drivers who

have coronavirus symptoms should notify their supervisor and stay home.

• Be mindful that many school bus drivers fall within a population that is

more vulnerable to COVID-19 risks. The following practices are suggested to help minimize contact with passengers.

• When loading or unloading the bus, have the driver be the last one on and

the first one off. Be sure the engine is not running and the driver has possession of the keys.

• Load students beginning with the rear of the bus; unload beginning with

the front of the bus. Avoid congregating in the bus aisle.

• Do not allow anyone to occupy the seat directly behind the driver.

Tr Transportation Guidelines

• General Health and Safety
• Ensure that any school vehicle used to transport students has been

inspected as required by Iowa Administrative Code.

• Ensure the interior of the bus (or other vehicle) has been cleaned and
• disinfected. Pay particular attention to “high-touch” surfaces such as

the entrance handrail, seats, seat belts (if applicable), steering wheel, and door handles.

• Consult materials provided by the bus manufacturers for

recommended products and procedures. For other vehicles, refer to the vehicle manufacturer.

Tr Transportation Guidelines

• General Health and Safety
• Provide training to transportation staff so they understand how to

effectively clean the bus/vehicle.

• During trips, increase circulation of outdoor air into the vehicle to the

extent possible.

• Do not allow open food or drink containers on the bus or other school

vehicle.

• Encourage hand washing or use of hand sanitizer prior to boarding.

Tr Transportation Guidelines

• Social Distancing
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations

regarding use of buses includes limiting seating to one child per seat, in every other seat, and alternating the rows. Strict adherence to these recommendations, for a 77-passenger bus, would allow for approximately 13 students to be transported. Due to various constraints, it may not be feasible for districts to meet these recommendations. For these situations, district should implement practices to reduce the likelihood of spreading the disease, such as:

• Encouraging use of face coverings when use of alternate rows for seating is not

possible.

• Allowing siblings from the same household to sit together in the same seat.
• Recommending passengers sit in the same seat going to and returning from the trip.
• Allowing for alternate transportation arrangements, such as riding with a parent.
• If a case is identified, spending more than 15 minutes within 6 feet would be

considered close contact. Those persons involved would need to quarantine.

IDPH Talking Points

• The virus is transmitted primarily through droplets

after prolonged contact closer than 6’ (prolonged contact is defined as 30 minutes).

• Frequent hand washing and/or sanitizing and social

distancing are the best ways to combat transmission

• f the virus
• Avoid touching of the face with hands

IDPH Talking Points

• Face coverings are PERMISSIBLE. Consider the

following IDPH guidance regarding face coverings:

• Creates false sense of security
• Encourages touching of face
• When touched, become ineffective
• If not worn properly, less effective
• Iowa Summer heat

District Decision Points

• It will be the decision of each local school district to determine if they

can safely conduct a baseball and/or softball season. If it is determined that a season can be safely conducted, it will be the responsibility of the home team to provide proper administrative supervision (not the head coach) at contests to assure compliance with the guidelines set forth by the Governor’s Office, the Department of Education, the Department of Public Health, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association is being followed.

• School districts are permitted to provide stricter guidelines at their

facilities during the regular season then those prescribed by the aforementioned entities.

FA FAQs—Scr Screening a and T Testing

• ST3) Who will be responsible for cancelling our softball season,

either from a school standpoint or a state standpoint?

• STAT3) The local school district can make the determination to cancel

their season at any time. If concerns are raised regarding the number

• f COVID-19 cases, the respective county or state department of

health can cancel the school’s season or the entire baseball/softball season.

FA FAQs-Scr Screening a and T Testing

• ST6) How often should players and coaches wash their hands?
• STA6) Individuals should wash their hands for a minimum of 20

seconds with warm water and soap before touching any surfaces or participating in workouts. Players and coaches are encouraged to use sanitizing wipes after contact with any shared equipment. Players are encouraged to shower and wash their clothing immediately upon returning to home.

FA FAQs—Soci Social D Distanci cing

• SD1) What should practices look like?
• SDA1) Per guidelines from the Department of Education and the Department of Public

Health, no dugouts are to be used during practice. Players’ items should be lined up against a fence at least six feet apart.

• Coaches are responsible for ensuring social distancing is maintained between players as

much as possible. This means additional spacing between players while playing catch, changing drills so that players remain spaced out, and no congregating of players while waiting to bat. The NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee recommends that workouts should be conducted in “pods” of students, with the same 5-10 students always working out together. This ensures more limited exposure if someone develops an infection.

• SD2) For social distancing guidelines, during games where should additional players be

placed in the dugout?

• SDA2) Per guidelines from the Department of Education and the Department of Public

Health, use of dugouts are permitted during games only. Players should spread out as much as possible unless they are actively participating in the game. NFHS rules allow for dugouts/media areas to be extended down the foul lines, outside of the playing area. Additionally, bleachers can be placed directly behind the dugouts for additional seating for team personnel.

FA FAQs—Soci Social D Distanci cing

• SD3) Who will allowed in the dugout during contests?
• SDA3) Essential personnel only are permitted on the field of
• play. These are defined as players, coaches, trainers and umpires. All
• thers, i.e. ball/bat girls, managers, statisticians, media,

photographers, etc., are considered non-essential personnel and are not to be in the dugout or extended dugout area. This is in effect for regular season and post season.

• SD4) Are spectators permitted to watch practices from the bleachers
• r in a lawn chair?
• SDA4) Per guidelines from the Department of Education and the

Department of Public Health, parents must remain in their cars or drop off and pick up players after practice.

FA FAQs—Soci Social D Distanci cing

• SD7) How should a coach interact with an umpire during a contest?
• SDA7) Coaches should consider social distancing guidelines (6 feet)

when interacting with an umpire or any other individual on the field.

FA FAQs—Soci Social D Distanci cing

• SD8) Will there be any limitations on roster size during the regular

season and post season?

• SDA8) No, the current policies regarding roster size will continue to be

in effect. Note changes above regarding essential and non-essential personnel allowed in the dugout.

• SD9) Who should be involved with a coach’s trip to mound?
• SDA9) Based on the guidance from the DE regarding players spreading
• ut as much as possible and social distancing guidelines unless

actively participating in the game, we would encourage to limit the number of individuals in a defensive and offensive conference to those who need to be close proximity for these discussions.

FA FAQs—Soci Social D Distanci cing

• SD10) How should the pregame meeting take place?
• SDA10) SB Head coach from each team and 2 umpires at home plate

meeting with the players remaining in the team dugout.

• SD11) Should there be an exchange of line-up cards?
• SDA11) Normal line-up exchange can take place.
• SD12) Should teams exchange handshakes after the contest?
• SDA12) Teams shall NOT exchange handshakes following the contest -

teams can acknowledge opponent with a tip of hat or other appropriate non-contact measures for these discussions.

FA FAQs—Soci Social D Distanci cing

• SD13) How is a school district to determine the maximum

capacity at its baseball/softball facility?

• SDA13) As long as social distancing guidelines are being

followed, the local school district will determine the maximum capacity of the facility.

• SD14) What personnel should be in the press box?
• SDA14)

Local schools shall determine which personnel should be in the press box considering IDPH guidelines.

FA FAQs—Pr Practice and Game Pr Proto tocols

• P/G1) Are face coverings required to be worn by players? Coaches?

Umpires? Spectators?

• P/GA1) Per guidance from the IDPH and DE, face coverings are not required

for players, umpires, coaches or spectators. If an individual would like to wear a face covering on the playing field, in the dugout, or in the stands, he/she may do so. It is recommended that if worn, players and coaches wear a mask that is a solid color. There is no prohibition on the color of the

• mask. It is optional for spectators, workers, and others to wear masks, but

they are expected to follow social distancing guidelines.

• P/G2) Who is responsible for providing hand sanitizer and/or sanitizing

wipes?

• P/GA2) Guidelines published by the Department of Education state players

are encouraged to provide their own hand sanitizer and/or sanitizing wipes.

FA FAQs—Pr Practice and Game Pr Proto tocols

• P/G3) Can a player wear a face shield?
• P/GA3) Per guidance from the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee,

plastic shields covering the entire face (or attached to the helmet) shall not be allowed during practices and contests. Their use during practices and contests increases the risk of unintended injury to the person wearing the shield or teammates.

• P/G4) Does each player need her own batting helmet?
• P/GA4) Per guidelines from the Department of Education and the Department
• f Public Health, players should use their own batting helmet as much as

possible.

• P/G5) Does each player need her own softball bat?
• P/GA5) Per guidelines from the Department of Education and the Department
• f Public Health, players should use their own softball bat as much as possible.

FA FAQs—Pr Practice and Game Pr Proto tocols

• P/G6) Does each catcher need her own catching equipment?
• P/GA6) Per guidelines from the Department of Education and the

Department of Public Health, players should use their own catching equipment as much as possible.

• P/G7) How often does the softball need to be sanitized?
• P/GA7) Per guidelines from the Department of Education and the

Department of Public Health, coaches must sanitize shared equipment before and after each practice/game.

• P/G8) How often does the softball bat need to be sanitized?
• P/GA8) Per guidelines from the Department of Education and the

Department of Public Health, coaches must sanitize shared equipment before and after each practice/game.

FA FAQs—Pract ctice ce and Game Protocols

• P/G9) How often does the batting helmet need to be sanitized?
• P/GA9) Per guidelines from the Department of Education and the Department of

Public Health, coaches must sanitize shared equipment before and after each practice/game.

• P/G10) How often does the catcher need to sanitize her equipment?
• P/GA10) Per guidelines from the Department of Education and the Department
• f Public Health, coaches must sanitize shared equipment before and after each

practice/game.

• P/G11)

How often should players, coaches, and umpires be using hand sanitizer?

• PG/A11)

Per guidelines from the Department of Education and the Department of Public Health, sanitizers should be used as much as possible. The NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee recommends to use hand sanitizer before and after each at bat and when going out to, and coming in from, the

• field. Additionally, it is emphasized to avoid touching of the face throughout the

game.

FA FAQs—Pract ctice ce and Game Protocols

• P/G12) Should water cups be available, or each player have her own

water bottle?

• P/GA12) Per guidelines from the Department of Education and the

Department of Public Health, players must bring their own water/beverage to consume during and after games. No shared drinking fountains, water stations, or coolers may be used.

• P/G13) How often should maintenance equipment (rakes, bases, paint

sprayer, tractor to drag field, etc.)

• P/GA13) Per guidelines from the Department of Education and the

Department of Public Health, daily sanitation would be recommended.

• P/G14) How many people should be permitted in a public restroom at a

time?

• P/GA14) Local facilities and policy would determine procedures.

FA FAQs—Pract ctice ce and Game Protocols

• P/G15) How often should the dugout be cleaned?
• P/GA15) Per guidelines from the Department of Education and the

Department of Public Health, daily sanitation would be recommended.

• P/G16) If local and/or state sports reporters request coming to practices

for a story, are they permitted to attend?

• P/GA16) No; media should not attend practices

FA FAQs—Faci cilities

• F1) For softball players, is the weight room allowed to be used for part of their

practices?

• FA1) No, the weight room is not available for any student-athletes currently.

However, it is permissible for weight room equipment to be moved to the softball facility to be accessible to student-athletes.

• F2) Can a gym be used for practice if it rains?
• FA2) Yes, if the softball field is unavailable due to inclement weather, practice

can be moved into the gymnasium, with the understanding that social distancing guidelines need to be adhered to. Other Department of Education guidelines for facility usage, such as cleaning and staffing, must also be followed.

• F3) Can our FB field (turf) be used to prep for a game on turf and/or if it rains?
• FA3) Yes, practice can be moved to school outdoor facilities, with the

understanding that social distancing guidelines need to be adhered to. These facilities can be used at any time, not just due to inclement weather.

FAQs—Facilities

• F4) What is the protocol in case of inclement weather?
• FA1) Local policy dictates “Emergency Plan” recognizing guidelines and

protocol from the Department of Education and IDPH. An indoor facility such as a gymnasium or auditorium may be used.

Umpires

• Pre-Game Meeting

Head coach from each team and 2 (or 3) umpires at home plate meeting.

• Players to remain in the dugout until meeting is over.
• Maintain physical distance 6' during pregame meeting
• No handshakes
• Game time

Umpires will not handle game balls. Home team provides game balls and a supply should be placed in each team dugout. Each team, when playing defense, supplies the game balls to their pitcher.

• Foul balls should be returned to the defensive team dugout for sanitizing

prior to being put into play.

• Coaches will be on the honor system to ensure the game balls are dry

and sanitized if thrown out, and suitable for play (no cuts, etc.). It is recommended that if the umpire feels the need to inspect a ball, the ball is to be thrown to the catcher and inspected from the catcher's glove.

Umpires

• Coaches should report substitutions directly to the umpire, keeping

in mind the social distancing requirement of 6 feet.

• Coaches who wish to discuss a rule or a ruling on the field must

maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance.

• Umpires will not pick up team equipment.
• Umpires shall not go into the dugout.
• One media person in media box at a time.
• Umpires shall not chew and spit sunflower seeds on site.
• Conferences between umpires must maintain a physical distance of

6 feet

Umpires

• Post game

Maintain physical distance when leaving the field

• Wash or sanitize hands immediately after the game
• Wipe down/sanitize equipment.
• Post-game review conducted from same distance as pre-game (6'

social distance)

• Clean uniforms prior to next game

Um Umpir ires es

• Adaptations
• Pitcher’s will not be allowed to put their hands to their mouths or

blow into their hands prior to pitching the ball. This will be a “no pitch." Play is not dead until an umpire declares the ball dead. A new ball will be placed into play while the thrown-out ball is sanitized. The thrown-out ball cannot return to play until sanitized and dry.

• Pitchers who put hands to mouth must also sanitize hands before

receiving a new ball. Pitchers would be allowed a reasonable amount

• f time to sanitize hands at the umpire’s discretion.
• Players will be allowed to wear face coverings. Plain or single colored

material is preferred but not required. Pitchers should refrain from wearing optic yellow face coverings

Um Umpir ires es

• Adaptations
• Umpires for varsity games will be plate umpire behind the catcher

and base umpire as normal. Plate and base umpires may adjust positioning to be deeper than normal for the comfort of both umpires and players. The adjustment should still allow the game to be called as intended.

• Non-varsity games should have 2 umpires, one of which must be

certified, and the plate umpire is required to work behind the catcher at a distance that will allow him/her to perform his/her duty.

• One certified umpire for lower level games may be utilized with

permission from IGHSAU Executive Director Jean Berger and only for extenuating circumstances. One umpire may choose his/her positioning-either behind pitcher's mound or behind the plate.

Um Umpir ires es

• Adaptations
• If an umpire is uncomfortable with a game situation, he/she should

contact the on-site administrator to correct the situation.

• If the ball is touched by anyone other than players on the field, it

should be removed from the game, sanitized, and dried as per the guidelines above.

FAQs—Misc.

• M1) Can coaches have contact with pitchers/catchers before June 1?
• MA1) No, the first day of live contact practice is Monday, June 1.

Virtual workouts can continue to be distributed up to that point.

• M3) What is the post-season schedule?
• MA3) Softball- regionals begins on July 13; state - July 27-July 31
• M4) What is the protocol regarding how schedules should be

created?

• MA4) Athletic directors and conferences will determine their schedule

with the beginning date of June 15th.

• M5) Will there be any adaptations to the game limitation?
• MA5) No, the IGHSAU softball policies regarding individual and game

limitations will remain the same.

FAQs—Misc.

• M6) What happens if a school doesn’t want to play another school
• n their respective schedule as a result of a positive COVID-19 test?
• MA6) If the Department of Public Health advises either school that the

game is not to be played, it is considered a “No Contest.” If the school choose on their own to not play the contest, the game will be considered a forfeit.

FAQs—Misc.

• M7) Which levels are able to participate in softball this summer?
• MA7) Middle school softball is not allowed. Local districts and

conferences will make decisions on which levels at the high school will participate this summer. All current eligibility policies for 8th graders playing high school softball continue to be in place.

• M8) What is the first date in which intra-squad scrimmages may be

allowed for softball? Are scrimmages against other schools allowed?

• MA8) Intra-squad scrimmages are allowed to begin on the 1st day of

practice - June 1. They are considered practices and therefore no parents and/or fans can attend. Scrimmages against other schools are not allowed until after June 15.

Other Items for Consideration

• Multiple Team Tournaments
• Limit # of games
• Teams not at park when not playing
• Time limit reduced to 75 minutes (or official game)-”drop dead time” in order

to clean dugouts between games

• Develop Alternative procedures
• Starting lineups-social distancing
• Celebrations after home runs
• Post game handshakes
• Team huddles around mound
• Picking up bats-designated person?
• Return of foul balls
• High fives, fist bumps, hugs, cheering, singing

Other Items for Consideration

• Post Season
• Attempt to separate power, but not guaranteed
• Expect more geographical bracketing
• DHeaders may be necessary
• Classifications will not change if schools do not participate-brackets adjusted
• Fort Dodge
• Game times changed-increase time in between for cleaning
• Considering other changes-multiple fields for social distancing of fans
• ICCC has indicated rooms available-may be some limits/changes
• Hotel listings also being developed

QUESTIONS?