Covid-19 Sport Protocols

This page is under construction
Newmarket Baseball is working together with Baseball Ontario and Public Health to provide a safe return to baseball.   All participants must follow all safety protocols.  Prior to the season start, documents will be sent out to all players and coaches to review.

Please return to this page regularly for updates.
 

NEWMARKET BASEBALL ASSOCIATION 2021 SEASON COVID-19 RULES OF PLAY

 

All baseball activities must adhere to the distancing measures and recommendations along with any gathering restrictions issued by the Ontario Government, relevant municipality and public health authorities, Baseball Ontario and the Newmarket Baseball Association.

 

REP, SELECT AND HOUSE LEAGUE:
RULES of PLAY

 

1. Self screening through https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/ is required by all participants, volunteers and spectators prior to attending any game, practice, meeting or other in-person team activity and any individual shall not attend if they fail the screening protocol.

 

2. Coaching staff will keep an attendance tracker (written or electronic through the Baseball Ontario OnDeck app) for all practices, games and in-person activities including all players, coaches, umpires, parents and others in attendance, including name and contact information (email or phone). 

If the attendance tracker is done in written form, within 24 hours this form will be forwarded to the Newmarket Baseball Association office. If requested this form will be forwarded to Baseball Ontario or any Public Health Unit.

If the attendance tracker is done through the Baseball Ontario OnDeck app, Baseball Ontario will provide the necessary information upon request to the relevant Member Organization and Public Health unit.

 

3. Regular hand sanitizing (at least every 30 minutes or the end of each half inning). Please review the Health Canada website for further information. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/disinfectants/covid-19/list.html

 

4. A) The NBA will again this year use the 2 Man umpire system for all games played.  The base umpire will be positioned at P.2 and make all calls at 1st base if possible and will provide assistance at any other base or home plate when required. The plate umpire will position him/herself approximately 6 feet behind the pitcher to the left or right side of the pitcher. The plate umpire will call balls and strikes from this position. He/she will also make calls at 2nd, 3rd and home plate when necessary.  Both umpires will discuss their roles and positions prior to each game. 

 

B) No umpire will handle any baseballs, prior, during or after any game.

 

C) All players and coaches on both teams will be allowed to handle baseballs this year. 

 

D) All umpires may wear a mask (covid) if they so wish.

 
E) When runner is at 1st base, the first baseman must wear a Covid mask when holding on this runner. 
Updated July 7, 2021-  First baseman are not required to wear a mask when holding a runner on base.
 

F) If the pitcher/player blows on their hands or goes to their mouth, while in possession of the game ball. The ball in play must be removed and sanitized. A new ball must be used and the pitcher/player must sanitize their hands.  
Updated July 7, 2021 - No baseballs used during any game need to be sanitized.

 

G) All coaches on the field or in dugout must wear a mask and social distance when talking to players, coaches and umpires.

 

H) 1st and 3rd base coaches must remain in their coaching boxes while on the field.

               I) The pregame coaches meeting is allowed this year, with both umpires and one coach from each team. Social distancing must be followed, masks not required but can be worn.

               J) No spitting, no gum chewing, no sunflower seeds, no sharing of equipment unless the equipment has been sanitized, no sharing of water bottles, no hand shakes, no high fives, after any play at any position on the field once play is finished the players must separated as soon as possible. 
 

                K) While on offence, coach and player positions are as follow: 1st and 3rd base coach on field with masks, manager in dugout with mask, any other coach or trainer on outside of field making sure that all players are using masks and social distancing. The in-hole batter is allowed on the bench, this player must maintain a social distance.  All other players waiting there at bat must be outside the dugout and in lawn chairs on the outside of the fence running down the foul line.

 

                  L) While on defence, coach and player positions: 9/10 players on field, manager and 2 coaches in dugout, social distance and masks. Any other players or coaches/trainer on outside of dugout in lawn chairs, social distance apart and wearing masks. 

 

                   M) All managers and coaches please read and know the RETURN TO SPORT COVID-19 GUIDELINES AND SUMMARY OF CHANGES FOR THE 2021 SEASON.

 

HOUSE LEAGUE SPECIFIC RULES

1. If a manager is aware that he/she is going to have less than 10 players for any game, that manager may use a player for another team in the same division. NO call up players from the lower division this year. Replacement players are not allowed to pitch. Manager may not use replacement player if he/she has 10 players.

 

2. All pitching rules will remain the same this year, but the catcher rule is altered to allow the use of one catcher for the entire game. The NBA will be supplying more than one set of catcher equipment to each team.  This equipment must be sanitized prior to being used by any new catcher.  

 

3. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the NBA or the Umpire in Charge.