2021 COVID-19 Safety and Play Rules
You can find COVID-19 information from the California Department of Health regarding Indoor and Outdoor sports by clicking here (April 6th update).
Youth Sports GVLL and it's members shall adhere to the following rules:
Due to the nature and risk of transmission while participating in Outdoor High-Contact and Moderate-Contact sports, GVLL will provide information regarding risk to all parents/guardians of minors participating in such sports, and have each parent sign an informed consent indicating their understanding and acknowledgement of the risks indicated herein.
1. Face coverings to be worn by coaches, support staff, players, and observers at all times, and in compliance with the CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings.
2. There will be no shared equipment (other than baseballs). There are no exceptions to this rule. Players must bring their own bat, glove, helmet, batting gloves, or any other personal equipment. No such equipment may be used by more than one player.
3. Parents/guardians shall check their child’s/player’s temperature before sending their child/player to practice. All coaches will take their temperature before leaving for practice. Any player or coach with a temperature of over 100.4 degrees or demonstrating flu-like symptoms including, but not limited to temperature, cough, sore throat, sneezing, body aches, loss of sense of smell, difficulty breathing, or fatigue are instructed to stay home and are not permitted to attend.
4. All field time is assigned by GVLL, and all use is scheduled specifically by team. Teams may only use fields during their scheduled field time. There will be no practices – small group or otherwise – that are not specifically scheduled by GVLL.
5. Only GVLL teams / cohorts of the same 12 registered players and the same coaches (max 4 adult coaches) may have access to fields and equipment. Use is permitted by rostered teams only. At no time may extra players, siblings, etc. practice with a team to which they are not assigned.
6. When a team has the field, it will be the only team with access to any field facilities during that time (this includes batting cages).
7. No two teams may be on the same field at any time. Only when the practicing team is finished and has fully exited the field may the next team take the field. No warmups in the dugouts or foul territory of any kind.
8. Limit observation of youth sports (age 18 years and under) to immediate household members, and for the strict purpose of age appropriate supervision. This includes observation of practice and competition. Limit number of observers to ensure physical distance can be maintained, reduce potential crowding, and maintain indoor and outdoor capacity limits.
9. Players should be kept 6 feet apart. Dugouts may be used by the Upper Divisions (Minors, Majors, Intermediates, and Juniors). Dugouts may not be used by the Lower Division teams (Intro to Tee Ball, Tee Ball, AA and AAA) except as entry/exit points. Any team meetings or discussions shall take place on the field. Once practice starts, players should stay on the field premises or in the batting cages until the practice is over.
10. No handshakes, fist bumps, elbow bumps, or contact of any kind is allowed at any time.
11. Players are not permitted to gather or huddle around batting cages. A maximum of one player in the batting cage and one player waiting by the batting cage door is allowed. All other players should be elsewhere on the field, at least 6 feet apart.
12. Activity or gatherings of any kind before or after practice or “extra” practice time are prohibited. There is no loitering at the field before or after practice. The team manager should arrive early to assure that all protocols are followed and should not leave until all players have been picked up.
13. Hand sanitizer will be provided to all Team Managers. All coaches and players shall use hand sanitizer before taking the field and upon exiting the field. Players should bring their own hand sanitizer or wipes to practice if possible and will be encouraged to use sanitizer at each break in practice.
14. On the field, practice plans shall ensure that players maintain 6 feet of distance from each other at all times.
15. Travel by private car limited to only those within the immediate household.
16. Limit participation by athletes and coaches during practice and competition to one team, and refrain from participating with more than one team over the same season or time period.
Note: GVLL will do random audits / checks of practices to ensure that coaches and players are following guidelines. If the guidelines are not being met, the coaches and players will receive feedback on how to do a better job of following the guidelines. If guidelines are not met by a player or coach, GVLL reserves the right to remove the coach and/or player from GVLL baseball activities.