2021 Return to Play Safety Plan Pacific Little League - Safety Policy Statement Pacific Little League Is A Non-profit Organization Run By Volunteers Whose Mission Is To Provide An Opportunity For Our Community’s Children To Learn The Game Of Baseball and Softball In A Safe And Friendly Environment. *Last edited: 3/26/2021

 
BACKGROUND AND GENERAL INFORMATION

Pacific Little League (PLL) adheres to Little League International recommendations (“Safety Net”) for developing and putting into action its overall Safety Plan. The Little League Safety Net enables PLL to “cover all the bases” and play it safe. It enables PLL to comply with national guidelines when tailoring its specific safety activities to local needs and continuing efforts to make the league safer for everyone.

2021 RETURN TO PLAY SAFETY PLAN BACKGROUND
Pacific Little League (PLL) is committed to providing a safe environment for all of its players, coaches, umpires, volunteers, parents, spectators, and greater community. The 2021 coronavirus/COVID-19 global pandemic requires significant changes to league operations to ensure this commitment.

PLL will adhere to all Federal, State, County, and City regulations in an effort to safely return to play.

This Return To Play Safety Plan is a supplement to the 2021 Pacific Little League ASAP plan and utilizes guidance from the Center of Disease Control (CDC), the State of Washington, Snohomish County Department of Health, and Little League International.

Washington State has created a phased approach to help prevent the transmission of coronavirus/COVID-19, known as Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery. Each Region in Washington will move through Phases on a region-by region basis, as defined by the State of Washington.

PLL’s ability to return to play is defined in the Sporting Activities addendum to the Roadmap to Recovery. Softball and baseball are defined as moderate risk sports. In Phase 1 outdoor practices but not games are allowed. In Phase 2 outdoor games are allowed.

EDUCATION/TRAINING
Online Return To Play safety training will be required for all managers and board members and offered to all coaches and volunteers prior to the start of the season.

Return to Play Safety Plan and changes to PLL operations will be communicated to all players/parents via email, PLL website, and social media.

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19
COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes
seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.  It is thought to spread mainly from person to person, mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by
touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus
spreads, but we are still learning more about this virus.

PLAYER/COACH/VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION
Players, coaches, or volunteers who have medical conditions identified by the Center For Disease Control as having a high risk of serious illness from COVID-19 are
encouraged to get a release from a healthcare provider prior to participating in any PLL activity.

Players, coaches, or volunteers who test positive for coronavirus/COVID-19 must report this test result to the PLL Safety Officer within 24 hours of the test result and may return to PLL activities after 24 hours with no symptoms and 10 days have elapsed since the onset of symptoms or positive test for asymptomatic cases.

Players, coaches, or volunteers who experience any of the below symptoms in the previous 3 days should STAY HOME and not participate in any PLL activity.

Players, coaches, or volunteers who have had a known exposure (within 6 feet for a combined 10 or more minutes in a 24 hour period) to anyone who has a confirmed
case of coronavirus/COVID-19 should not participate in any PLL activity for 14 days from the time of the known exposure.

Player/Coach/Volunteer Screening
Players, coaches, or volunteers will be screened for symptoms or exposure to coronavirus/COVID-19 prior to all practices and games. Screening can be
completed by any approved PLL manager, coach, or volunteer. Players, coaches, or volunteers should be screened prior to the beginning of each
practice, game, or event.

Screening will consist of the following questions:

• Have you experienced any of the following symptoms in the last 3 days?

• Fever of 100.4 or greater
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Chills
• Muscle/body aches
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell
• Nausea or Vomiting
  

• Have you had a known exposure (within 6 feet for a combined 10 or more minutes in a 24 hour period) to anyone who has a confirmed case of
  coronavirus/COVID-19 in the last 14 days?

Players, coaches, or volunteers who have symptoms or a known exposure to a confirmed case of coronavirus/COVID-19 in the last 14 days, must leave the practice or game site immediately.

Confidentiality and Reporting Process
All information about symptoms and/or exposure to coronavirus/COVID-19, including results of screening, are considered protected medical information and must be treated with the highest level of confidence and discretion.

All screening information and information regarding any player who ‘screens out’ must be shared with the parent/guardian of the player in question immediately.

Reporting process for all confidential information related to coronavirus/COVID 19, including anyone who “screens out” prior to a practice or game is as follows: Manager, PLL Safety Officer, PLL President, Screener, Player Parent/Guardian

Screeners, Managers, PLL Safety Officer, and PLL President must ensure to not disclose confidential information to anyone outside of this reporting process. Any PLL volunteer who discloses confidential information outside of this reporting process may be removed from their volunteer position with PLL.

CHANGES TO PRACTICE OPERATIONS
Managers are required to ensure the following policies are adhered to during practice:

Prior to entering the field or practice location, players must be screened for potential symptoms or exposure to coronavirus/COVID-19.  Players who have symptoms or a known exposure to a confirmed case of coronavirus in the last 14 days must leave the practice site immediately

Physical distancing should be incorporated into practice plans as much as possible. Physical distancing is defined as the separation of players by approximately 6 feet.

- Equipment (helmets, gloves, bats, catcher’s gear) should not be shared between players or coaches
- While in Phase 3, no more than 200 people (players, parents, volunteers, spectators) should be at a practice site at one time
- Players, parents, coaches, and volunteers should not arrive to the practice site prior to their designated practice time
- Players, parents, coaches, and volunteers should leave the practice site immediately after the conclusion of their practice
- Hand sanitizing should happen before, during, and after practice for all participants
- Cloth masks (not surgical masks) are required for all coaches, players, and volunteers 


CHANGES TO GAME OPERATIONS
Managers are required to ensure the following policies are adhered to during games:

Prior to entering the field or game location, players must be screened for potential symptoms or exposure to coronavirus/COVID-19.  Players who have symptoms or a known exposure to a confirmed case of coronavirus in the last 14 days must leave the practice site immediately.

Physical distancing should be incorporated into game operations as much as possible.  Physical distancing is defined as the separation of players by approximately 6 feet

- Dugout bench and fence will be marked for physical distancing
- Equipment (helmets, gloves, bats, catcher’s gear) should not be shared between players or coaches
- While in Phase 3, no more than 200 people (players, parents, volunteers, spectators) should be at the game site at one time
- Bleachers will be reserved for players only. Spectators are encouraged to cheer the players on from socially distanced spots along the fence line beyond the dugouts.
- Players, parents, coaches, and volunteers should not arrive to the game site prior to their designated war, up time
- Players, parents, coaches, and volunteers should leave the game site immediately after the conclusion of their game
- Hand sanitizing should happen before, during, and after games for all participants
- Cloth masks (not surgical masks) are required for all coaches and volunteers 
- Cloth masks (not surgical masks) are required for players while not actively participating in the field of play (e.g. required in the dugout)
- Cloth masks (not surgical masks) may be worn by players while actively participating in the field of play but are not required
- Umpires may choose to be positioned by the mound instead of behind home plate
- Post-game celebrations and cheers should adhere to physical distancing rules
- No sunflower seeds, gum, spitting allowed for players, coaches, umpires
- Players not allowed to go to their mouth to improve grip on the ball

SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS
PLL may suspend all or part of league operations in the event of a coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak or known exposures within the PLL community.

PLL may suspend all or part of league operations if required to do so under Federal, State, County, or City regulations.

PLL’s Return to Play Safety Plan is subject to change based on Federal, State, County, City regulations, or Little League International policy.