Parents,

We are off to a great start this Little League season. I want to thank each and everyone of you for your help in getting this season going. Without you we wouldn't have a season.

I would like to take this time and remind you all that we have a mask policy at the ball field and we really need you to follow this policy and make sure that your guests do as well. A mask must be worn at all times in the little league park by spectators (unless they are watching from inside their cars) this is all spectators. I dont like wearing them either but it is required. I understand that the federal government authorized them not to be worn outside, but state guidelines still require them while at sporting events outside. I am also including a message all presidents in the district received from our District Administrator Pat Ryan:

We have started playing games and it is great to see everyone out enjoying the fresh air.

What I really don’t want to see happen is for it all to come to a screeching stop. That may happen if we aren’t all diligent in doing everything we can personally and collectively to keep COVID-19 at bay. Case rates are rising in all areas and there is a very real possibility that we will revert to Phase 2 or possibly even Phase 1 for some of our leagues.

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of each league doing their part to get the word out the communities we serve. We need to be preaching adhering to the mask and social distancing requirements of the state.

As far as the masks go, everyone hates wearing them. I get it. I do to. But here is the thing, they may indeed work to help mitigate the spread. I know the CDC just came out with some new guidance that lots of people are jumping on because the perception is that the CDC is saying that masks outdoors aren’t needed. Read the current guidelines. The relaxation on masks is for fully vaccinated people not the general public. Another reason to get vaccinated.

So all leagues are still required to have all spectators, players, coaches, umpires, etc. wear masks at all times. The only exception is for leagues in a county that is in Phase 3 and then the players who are out of the dugout during game play may remove their masks. All other players are required to wear their masks. I can tell you that mask wearing is not being complied with very well at the leagues I have visited over the last few weeks. I saw many coaches without masks or wearing them but not covering their nose and mouth. This has to change. Don’t let a lack of compliance be the reason that the health department decides that it is not safe to be playing games.

I have heard the arguments that all these regulations are just nonsense and don’t do any good. What I can tell you is that I hear every week from another league about an outbreak in their community. Quite a few leagues have had teams and families get infected. I don’t know of any of these incidences where it has been determined to have been transmitted during a Little League practice or game. I do know that our communities have people still getting sick.

OK, off the soap box for a bit but get the word out or I’ll climb back on.

Play safe.

Regards,

Pat