2021 Spring Season Overview

Provide a baseball/softball environment to see our youth players enjoying playing the game while being active outside.  There will not be any formal “Valley Championship Tournament”, nor is there any District All-Stars.  This modified Summer Season is 100% aligned to providing a path for our community to seeing our kids playing and growing their passion for the sport in a safe and fun environment.

Commitment to Play 2020 Summer Season

• Your submission is your commitment to playing in the Summer 2020 League should the season variables are met. 
• You and your player are comfortable with the proposed season structure
• You and your player are comfortable with the safety restrictions that will be in place due to COVID-19 impacts. 
• Submission window will close Friday, June 19 at 11:59pm. Submission after this are NOT guaranteed roster placement

WA State Stay at Home Phasing Requirements

• King County must be designated Phase 2 by no later than 6/22 – if this is not achieved both leagues will cease planning and the 2020 Summer Season will be officially cancelled.
  


• King County must be designed Phase 3 by no later than 7/13 – if this is not achieved both leagues agree the 2020 Summer Season will be officially cancelled

Season Duration

• Start date Monday, July 13
• End date Saturday, August 29

At this time, we don't have specifics times when games will be played as game schedules are impacted by total number of available fields, total number of player registrations and number of division teams.  We will model similar to our Spring season structure – but adjustments maybe required. 

• Majors: Games are typically scheduled Tuesday’s and Thursday’s with occasional Friday’s or Saturday’s. 
• AAA/Coast: Games are typically scheduled Monday’s and Wednesday’s with occasional Friday’s or Saturday’s. 
• AA: Games are typically scheduled Tuesday’s and Thursday’s with occasional Friday’s or Saturday’s.
• A: Games are typically scheduled Monday’s and Wednesday’s with occasional Friday’s or Saturday’s
• Tee Ball: Games are typically scheduled on Thursday, or Friday or Saturday. 

Practices and Games Weekly Overview

Weekly Monday-Saturday, no scheduled activities on Sunday

• 7/13 – 7/18 Week 1: 2x Practices / team
• 7/20 – 7/25 Week 2: 2-3 games / team
• 7/27 – 8/1 Week 3: 2-3 games / team
• 8/3 – 8/8 Week 4: 2-3 games / team
• 8/10 – 8/15 Week 5: 2-3 games / team
• 8/17 – 8/22 Week 6: 2-3 games / team
• 8/24 – 8/29 Week 7: 2-3 games / team

Team Formation

Due the uniqueness of the situation we are experiencing – team formation will follow the below guidelines. 

• SVLL and Falls LL Player Agents will cross-validate each leagues assessment data of committed players for roster balancing
• For Upper Division teams there will be no formal Draft process
• There will be no formal “buddy requests”
• There will be no formal requests to play/practice on teams that do so certain days of the week
• Teams could be formed with players from both SVLL and Falls
• Depending on total # of player commitments from SVLL and Falls – there could be certain Divisions of play that we unfortunately might not be able to offer for a 2020 Summer Season.
• Based on known data of interested players there will not be a typical “Intermediate Baseball Division”, nor a ”Juniors Softball Division”
• Total player commitments #s will define what league ages are grouped for each Division of play. Some potential examples:  Majors could consist of League Age 11-12-13 players or AAA could consist of League Age 8-9-10 players

Cost and Fees

SVLL players registered for Spring 2020 who selected a credit for future season in the pulse survey will have applicable fees deduced from your credited amount.  

• Other families may pay Summer seasons fees at the time of registration.

This is a high-level overview of the steps and precautions that will be implemented.  A full return to play Safety Plan will be distributed to all families prior to Summer Season should it happen. 

Pre-Game

• Alert players and families that anyone feeling sick SHOULD STAY HOME
• Upon arrival, coach/team rep is responsible to ensure:
• All players & coaches wash / sanitize their hands
• Gates, benches, poles, etc. are all sanitized
• Pre-game warmups - players should stay 6 feet apart when possible
• Pre-game plate meeting:  Coaches & umpires stay 6+ feet apart to discuss game rules, Umpires review guidelines at home plate with both team

Player / Team Gathering

• Maximum of 5 players/coaches in dugout at one time
• Players not in the dugout congregate outside of dugout - remaining 6 feet apart.  Suggested spots: bleacher area, lined up outside fence along foul line, bullpen area.  Will be based on field configuration
• Celebrations should be kept to a minimum - refraining from all physical contact

Fans who choose to stay for games must adhere to the following guidelines:

• No sitting in the bleachers or bleacher area - that is designated for players and coaches
• Fan area will be down the foul line fences (beyond the bases) and behind outfield fence
• All fans should bring their own chairs and sit or stand a minimum of 6 feet apart - practicing social distancing guidelines
• Exception for those that live in the same household
  

Miscellaneous Guidelines

• No sunflower seeds, gum, spitting allowed for players, coaches, game officials
• Players not allowed to go to their mouth to improve grip on the ball
• All participants required to provide their own clearly marked water / gatorade bottles
• Limit sharing of equipment - bats, gloves, catcher's gear
• Anything that touches the head or face CANNOT be shared (helmets, catcher's mask)