BATTING CAGE POLICY
The following guidelines and recommendations were developed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and The Aspen Institute, and Little League International, and New York State. Cicero Amatuer Sports, a/k/a Cicero Little League (“CLL”), to reduce risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and COVID-19 to our players, coaches, umpires, and spectators will implement the following directives and guidelines with respect to the use of its batting cages:
BATTING CAGE GUIDANCE
Batting cages must be reserved online through the CLL website.
Batting cages may be reserved for 60 minutes; however, at least 15 minutes between usage is required. For example, if Team A uses the cages from 5 pm to 6 pm, then Team B may not reserve a cage until 6:15.
Coaches, players, spectators should bring their own drinks and drinks should be labelled with the person’s name. There should be NO shared or team drinks or snacks.
All coaches, volunteers, should wear cloth face coverings, whenever possible. CLL will have masks available at the concession stand.
Players should wear cloth face coverings when in close contact areas and in places where social distancing is challenging or not feasible.
Please bring all your own equipment including baseballs. No Helmets, bats or balls will be given out.
Only 4 people are permitted in the batting cages at any one time, which includes 1 coach and 1 batter per lane.
All other players must remain outside the batting cage and must stay at least 6 feet away from other players at all times.
Each team must have at least one coach or volunteer responsible for ensuring that the players remain at least 6 feet apart while waiting to use the batting cages. That coach or volunteer will be solely responsible for opening and closing the gate for players to enter and exit the cage. No players should touch the gate.
No personal player bat bags/equipment bags will be allowed in the batting cage. Each player must enter the cage with only their helmet and bat.
Players should have their own individual batter’s helmet, gloves, and bat. The sharing of equipment should be avoided. Equipment may be available for players that do not have their own equipment. Please contact CLL. When it is necessary to share critical or limited equipment, all surfaces of each piece of equipment will be cleaned and disinfected by the team with an EPA approved disinfectant and allowed sufficient time to dry before being used by another player. Individuals disinfecting equipment are encouraged to use gloves while using disinfectants.
Player’s equipment (e.g. bags, helmets, bats, gloves) should be cleaned and disinfected by parent/guardian after each game or practice.
Players should not share towels, clothing, or other items that may be used to wipe face or hands.
Sunflower seeds, gum, or other similar products are not permitted to be used during any CLL event.
No spitting anywhere.
All trash must be cleaned up and removed from the batting cage and the fence line after every practice.
The batting cage lock and gate must be sprayed before and after every use.
The batting cage is NOT available for use on game days starting at 5pm.
At NO time may the batting cage be used by more than one team.
GENERAL GUIDANCE
Wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not readily available use hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Players are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer. CLL will place hand sanitizer in the batting cages for easy use.
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering when around others, especially in public areas around the batting cages and fields.
Whenever possible, all players, coaches, volunteers and spectators should try and maintain six feet between themselves and others not residing within their household; unless safety or core activity (e.g. practicing, playing) requires a shorter distance. If a shorter distance is required, individuals must wear face coverings, unless players are unable to tolerate such a covering for the physical activity (practicing, playing); provided, however, that coaches, trainers, and/or other individuals who are not directly engaged in activity are required to wear face coverings.
All individuals should measure their body temperature. Anyone with a fever, cough, or worsening respiratory symptoms, or any known exposure to a person with COVID-19 should not attend any little league activity until cleared by their medical professional.
Managers/Coaches may be required to complete a health screen questionnaire for each player prior to any practice or use of the batting cage so that it can be logged and used for contact tracing, if necessary.
Anyone traveling from other states should monitor symptoms daily from day of arrival in New York through day 14; Continue strict adherence to all recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions, including hand hygiene and the use of face coverings, through Day 14 (even if fully vaccinated); Must immediately self-isolate if any symptoms develop and contact the local public health authority or their healthcare provider to report this change in clinical status and determine if they should seek testing.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT & SIGNAGE
CLL will provide volunteers/managers/coaches/umpires with an acceptable face covering at no cost and have an adequate supply of coverings in case of need for replacement. Acceptable face coverings include but are not limited to cloth (e.g. homemade sewn, quick cut, bandana, n95) or surgical masks.
All volunteers, managers, coaches, players and umpires must clean, replace, and prohibit sharing of their face coverings.
CLL will provide gloves for use in disinfecting shared equipment. Gloves must be properly disposed of after each use.
CLL will post signage inside and outside of the facility or area to remind personnel and patrons/players/spectators to adhere to proper hygiene, social distancing rules, appropriate use of PPE, and cleaning and disinfection protocols.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS POLICY WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF CAGE PRIVILEGES FOR THE DURATION OF THE BASEBALL SEASON.
This plan will be available onsite at the Concession Stand and online at https://www.cicerolittleleague.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1339788
This plan may be modified from time to time based on changes in requirements, guidance and/or prohibitions issued by federal, state and/or local governmental authorities and/or Little League International; in that event, the revised plan will likewise be made available at the Concession Stand and online.