CHARLOTTETOWN, PE – Baseball PEI has made some changes to the RTP Guidelines. Please review this here: https://cdn2.sportngin.com/attachments/document/5645-2181661/Baseball_PEI_RTP_Guidelines__10_June_2020_.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1YrWB9GQAWK3EEJ0bWFzPc_NFSRW0sF3m6ghZ4L73Jk_dRLLVrP9uaq70#_ga=2.32789629.275723321.1591522250-1954251289.1583858777
Some changes have emanated from discussion with folks within associations, and the changes have been approved by the Sport and Rec division of the Department of Health (in consultation with the CPHO).
– Change:
o We’ve removed the rule shortening the batter’s box and having the catcher crouch/set up six feet from the back point of home plate.
o What does that mean?
§ The batter’s box will follow normal baseball rules (six feet long; three feet in front on the mid-point of the home plate and three feet behind the mid-point of the home plate) and the catcher may set up/crouch in their normal position.
o Reasoning:
§ The reality was the catcher was set up roughly where they normally would be, give or take a foot. However, the batter was two-and-a-half feet farther ahead than usual, and as a result, the catcher was more prone to foul tips. Also, foul tips that would usually hit the catcher in the chest were now hitting them in the head, increasing the risk of head injury/concussions. In conversation with the Sport and Rec division, they agree that this is more dangerous than the catcher and batter being less than six feet away from each other and that normal rules should apply in terms of the batter’s box. Also, the batter is usually facing the pitcher, and when they exhale, it’s towards the pitcher and not the catcher (plus, depending on where the batter is set up and the catcher crouches, the batter’s mouth is often between five-six feet away).
– Change:
o We’ve removed the rule prohibiting lead-offs in minor baseball.
o What does that mean?
§ In divisions that normally permit lead-offs (18U, 15U “AAA,” 15U “AA,” 13U “AAA” and 13U “AA”), lead-offs will be permitted.
o Reasoning:
§ Lead-offs are an integral part of the game. On average, there are no more than ten pick-off plays per game (primarily at first base). However, on a pick-off play, the defensive player and the baserunner is usually no more than two-three seconds maximum within a position where the two players are less than six feet away from each other. The Sport and Rec division does not consider this brief exchange too risky to make it worthwhile to remove from the game.
However, it should be noted that Baseball PEI has a rule in place that when a tag play takes place, the defensive player must vacate the area immediately after the tag is made. This rule will be enforced and all players should be reminded that for this season, especially, when a tag is made, they must vacate the area and not linger or try to apply another tag when a baserunner is standing up. If they do this, they could receive a warning/yellow card from an umpire.
– Change:
o We’ve removed the rule prohibiting stealing home in divisions that permit it.
o What does that mean?
§ In divisions that normally permit scoring on a steal/wild pitch/passed ball, this will be permitted
o Reasoning:
§ On average, there are probably between one-three times this happens during a game, and the defensive players and the baserunner is usually no more than two-three seconds maximum within a position where the players are less than six feet away from each other. The Sport and Rec division does not consider this brief exchange too risky to make it worthwhile to remove from the game.
However, it should be noted that Baseball PEI has a rule in place that when a tag play takes place, the defensive player must vacate the area immediately after the tag is made. This rule will be enforced and all players should be reminded that for this season, especially, when a tag is made, they must vacate the area and not linger or try to apply another tag when a baserunner is standing up. If they do this, they could receive a warning/yellow card from an umpire.
– Change:
o We are removing the rule stating that baseballs should be sanitized after every two innings.
o What does this mean?
§ Game baseballs will not have to be sanitized during the game.
o Reasoning:
§ The CPHO has said that some types of sporting gear – for example, tennis balls and baseballs – cannot be properly sanitized during a game, especially as they will have dirt and other substances on them. Indeed, to properly sanitize a baseball, you would likely make it waterlogged and ruin the baseball in a short time. However, there will be an increased focus on washing/sanitizing hands and limiting the number of people who touch the baseball.
– Change:
o We’ve added this statement to our RTP Guidelines:
§ Either each player/coach should have their own hand sanitizer, or the team should have hand sanitizer available to all players/coaches to use throughout the game/practice.
o Reasoning:
§ In the previous versions of the RTP Guidelines, it inferred that teams/associations would have to supply hand sanitizer for all players. This statement makes it clear that the association can supply their teams’ hand sanitizer themselves or make it the responsibility of each player/coach to supply their own hand sanitizer.
– Change:
o We’ve added this statement to our RTP Guidelines:
§ Players are encouraged to wear batting gloves when swinging a bat during a game/practice.
o Reasoning:
§ By wearing batting gloves, if a team were sharing bats, it makes it less likely to spread germs if the batter is wearing gloves as opposed to bare skin. However, this does not replace the need the frequent washing/sanitizing of hands, and wiping down a bat between uses. Indeed, respiratory droplets and germs can be found on batting gloves as well as bare hands.
– Change:
o We’ve added this statement to our RTP Guidelines:
§ Each team shall keep a log of all players, coaches and other people connected with their team at the field for every game/practice/function they have during the season. This information shall be kept for at least one (1) month for purposes of contact tracing.
o Reasoning:
§ The CPHO requires this, and while it was communicated to associations on at least two occasions, it was not in our RTP Guidelines. It has been added for communication and clarity sake.
– Change:
o We’ve added this statement to our RTP Guidelines:
§ Anytime a player’s hand goes toward the mouth or face (whether to lick their fingers, blow into the hands, et cetera), time shall be called and the player must go wash/sanitize their hands before the resumption of the game.
o Reasoning:
§ Respiratory droplets are the major concern of the CPHO and the Sport and Rec division. On their guidance, we’ve added this rule. As balls cannot really be properly sanitized, it is vital that a player’s hands stay away from their mouth/face and that if this happens, even accidentally, their hands should be washed/sanitized before play resumes.
– Change:
o We’ve added this statement to our RTP Guidelines:
§ All defensive players should wash/sanitize their hands upon coming off the field after each inning.
o Reasoning:
§ This is a good habit for all players and coaches to embrace in order to prevent the spread to germs/disease. The CPHO/Sport and Rec division has declared that this action is much more effective in the prevention of spreading germs/disease than attempting to sanitize a (dirty) baseball with either a wipe or spray.
– Change:
o We’ve added these statements to our RTP Guidelines:
§ Each team shall supply four baseballs for each game (two of which must be new). Only those baseballs will be used when that team is pitching/on defence.
· The umpires will not handle the baseballs. When a foul ball goes out of play, a player or coach of the defensive team will retrieve that baseball (not a parent or member of the other team).
· The other baseballs being used in that game will be in a bucket/container inside the gate of the dugout, and when a foul ball goes out of play, the defensive team will throw a game ball from that bucket/container to their pitcher.
o Reasoning:
§ While all players/coaches must not take part in any baseball activities if they are ill/displaying symptoms of Covid-19, if somebody ever did, by teams not sharing the use of the baseball, it lessens the chance of spreading the coronavirus to members of the opposing team. To ensure that other people who haven’t been sanitizing their hands as much don’t touch the baseballs, that is why the defensive team has to retrieve the baseballs that go out-of-play. Finally, for the safety of umpires, we are going to leave it up to the teams to take care of their game baseballs so the umpires do not have to handle baseballs (so that if a ball goes out-of-play, the defensive team will immediately throw another game baseball into their pitcher). In order to ensure this process doesn’t take too long, we are suggesting that a bucket/container be placed by the gate of each dugout for the game baseballs so players/coaches know where they are and don’t waste time looking for their game baseballs within a (often messy) dugout when a new baseball is necessary after a ball is hit out-of-play.
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Summerside Area Baseball Association (SABA) is the governing body of minor baseball in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, and surrounding communities and has been growing the game since 1981. It is Baseball PEI’s largest association with 300 + players registered per season. SABA offers Baseball opportunities to children 4 years of age up to 18 years of age.
For more information on Summerside Baseball, visit www.summersidebaseball.ca or contact: [email protected]
