In conjunction with the 2021 MTLL Spring Season, we have put together the following guidelines for all participants- player, coaches, parents and volunteers that will be required to follow. Please note, this is
not indented to be a substitute for guidelines published by the NEW Jersey Department of Health, but rather are in addition to those guidelines.
The information regarding COVID-19 changes rapidly, and as such, MTLL makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of this information. Further, you should seek advice from medical professionals and/or public health offices if you have specific questions about participated in the season.
We recommend you reference the
covid19.nj.gov website for more information regarding organized sports guidelines.
General Guidelines:● Families will be asked to take the temperature of all players before leaving home for practices or games
● Any participant with a temperature above 100F should stay home
● Any participant, fan or volunteer with symptoms of COVID-19 will be asked to stay home with symptoms including but not limited to: fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of smell/taste.
● All players will be asked about these symptoms by coaching staff before commencing game.
● Individuals at risk of severe illness or with underlying medical and respiratory diseases should attend MTLL activities only with specific permission from a medical professional
● Any participant or fan who has been at a MTLL event and then becomes sick within two weeks should immediately notify the league
● Social Distancing (6 foot distance between people) will be expected whenever possible and when not possible an appropriate face covering will be required
● Hands should be washed frequently for at least 20 seconds or hand sanitizer used as frequently as practical and always after touching common surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, gate handles or latches.
● No spitting, eating sunflower seeds or chewing gum will be allowed
On-Field Guidelines:● Players encouraged to present on-time but no more than 30 minutes before scheduled game/practice time
● Teams will not enter field until previous teams have completely vacated.
● No pre-game meeting at home plate with coaches and umpires
● Foul balls will be retrieved by players only not spectators or coaches. If touched by non-player, a coach will disinfect the ball before returning to play
● Measures must be taken to prevent all but the essential contact necessary to play the game. This includes refraining from handshakes, high fives, fist/elbow bumps or group celebrations
● No handshake line at the end of games. Instead players will line up outside dugout and tip hands toward the other team
● Field must be vacated no later than 20 minutes after the end of each game
Equipment● Equipment is not to be shared between players
● If any player does not have individual equipment, team equipment will be used and then disinfected after each use
● Player bags will be separate from each other
● Players will bring their own beverages and these drinks will not be shared
Players● Will be encouraged by coaches at all times to maintain social distance from each other
● When social distancing not possible face covering will be worn
● Will be allowed to touch only their own equipment
● If using shared equipment will need to be sure it has been recently disinfected
● Bring, identify and touch only their own beverage
● Do not bring any food, gum or sunflower seeds to events
Coaches● Minimize numbers of coaches and assistants for games practices
● Maintain communication of expectations, plans and progress with parents
● Screen players with above-listed questions before starting each event
● Persistently monitor and remind players of social distancing precautions/procedures
● Disinfect multi-use items
● Minimize exchange of scorecards and pitch counters
Umpires● Will have face covering available for when social distancing is not possible
● Field umpires will keep at least 6 feet distance from each other and players
● Will not retrieve passballs or foulballs
● Equipment inspection will be visual only
Family Members/Fans Guidelines● Take players’ temperatures before game
● Monitor for and report any signs of illness in participants
● Maintain social distance from all other attendees at all times
● Maintain 6 feet distance between families and groups
● Ensure arrival no more than 30 minutes before scheduled start time and exit within 15 minutes of conclusion
● Players’ equipment and bags should be cleaned after each use