USA Sports NC Return-To-Play
Recommendations for Teams, Players, Parents, and Coaches
Recommendations for Teams, Players, Parents, and Coaches
Spectator Guidelines
Player/Coach Guideline
USA Sports NC Staff Guidelines
When applicable, we will collect spectator fees prior to the event and will not charge admission fees at the tournament to limit one on one contact as well as limit social distancing at gates.
All guidelines are subject to change from event to event. These guidelines do not replace or supersede any protocols or restrictions outlined by national, state, local, or facility authorities. For the latest guideline updates for your next tournament, please refer to the pre-event email sent by your tournament director or reach out to them directly.
Everyone involved in a USA Sports NC event needs to practice social distancing of six (6) feet or more at all times. Spectators, in particular, should not sit within six-to-ten feet of other families. Players and coaches should avoid all group activities outside the playing field, including, batting practice in cages, pepper or other drills, team meetings, and/or post-game snacks.
Parents/Coaches are encouraged to supply their players with antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer for disinfecting shared playing equipment and cleaning hands between innings. Balls should be sanitized with spray when possible. Players and coaches are also encouraged to wash/sanitize their hands after games.
Players will be allowed to wear personal protective equipment (i.e. facemasks) during play as long as the items do not compromise the safety of any and all participants in the game. All umpires, coaches, and tournament officials should wear PPE’s during competition. It is highly recommended that spectators should wear personal protective equipment.
It gets hot during the summer months in North Carolina. That’s why usually a community dugout water cooler is such a good idea. It goes without saying why that’s a bad idea during our “Return to Play”. Instead, we recommend that each player has their own water bottle that is clearly labeled. We also recommend that coaches, managers, and parents pay close attention to pre-event emails for park-specific guidelines because some concessions may be closed. Please prepare accordingly.
We want to minimize player contact. Unfortunately, this means eliminating team/player handshakes and team/player high fives. There should also be no group prayers between teams on the field. Coaches should all create a plan to keep social distancing between teams in effect beyond the field of play and communicate it with their team prior to the event. Want to do something for team sportsmanship at the end of games? We suggest players tipping their caps to the other team from across the field.
Teams will be required to clean their dugout of all trash and other items after each game, and to wipe down (clean) hard surfaces such as benches, bat racks, and railings. A team representative (coach or parent) should also clean all surfaces prior to the players’ arrival in the dugout. Teams should follow the CDC recommendation of a two-step process for cleaning and disinfecting.
Sunflower seeds are an awesome snack! Unfortunately, when your done eating them, you spit them out. It looks cool but it is incredibly unhygienic. For that reason are banning sunflower seeds and gum from all USA Sports NC events until further notice. Players are still encouraged to fuel themselves between games but not with sunflower seeds. Players, coaches, and spectators should also avoid sharing food and drinks while at USA Sports NC events.