USA Sports NC Return-To-Play
Recommendations for Teams, Players, Parents, and Coaches
National, State, Local, and Facility Guidelines
Guidelines may vary based on changes to national, state, local, and facility guidelines.
Social Distancing
All people present at a USSSA event should make an effort to practice social distancing.
Wipe Down Equipment
Parents should supply players with antibacterial wipes to disinfect equipment between use.
Personal Protective Equipment
Players may wear PPEs as they feel necessary. Coaches and spectators are encouraged to wear PPE at all times.
Hydration
There will be no water coolers provided. Players are strongly encouraged to bring their own water bottles.
Tip the Cap
No group contact between teams. Instead of handshakes, players can "tip their cap" to the other team after the game.
Disinfect the Dugout
Coaches should disinfect the dugout and all equipment before and after games. Also discard all trash post-game.
No Sunflower Seeds
There will be no sunflower seeds allowed at events. Players should refrain from spitting as well.
USA Sports NC Event Recommendations
Spectator Guidelines
Gate Fees
- Gate fees will be paid ahead of time and will not be collected at the event.
- Please reach out to your coach/team manager to find out how your team is handling paying.
Social Distancing/Seating
- Spectators should stay six or more feet from each other at all times.
- Spectators are not permitted to sit behind home plate.
- All spectators must bring their own chairs. Bleachers will not be made available
- If spectators do bring their own tents, please limit those in the tents to immediate family.
- It is highly recommended that high-risk individuals DO NOT attend a USA Sport NC event.
PPEs & Sanitizing
- PPEs are highly recommended for everyone in attendance at a USA Sport NC event.
- While we will have some hand sanitizer available at events, you are highly encouraged to bring your own hand sanitizer.
- No spitting seeds or chewing gum
Player/Coach Guideline
Social Distancing
- Players and coaches will have designated areas during the game to maintain social distance standards.
- Teams should do their best to limit the number of coaches in the dugout.
- When a team is batting, the team should have:
- 1 Player at the Plate
- 1 Player On-Deck
- 1 Player in the Dugout
- ALL OTHER PLAYERS MUST BE SOCIALLY DISTANCED (6 FEET) IN THE BLEACHERS OR (SAFELY) DOWN THE FOUL LINE
- No Handshakes, fist bumps or high-fives before, during or after the game. Coaches should ensure that players are adhering to social distancing in dugouts and other seating areas.
- Players can “tip their cap” to the other team when the game is over.
- No post-game meetings. If you are not playing back to back games then all fans, players, and coaches need to exit the facility immediately.
PPEs & Sanitizing
- We recommend that parents supply their players with antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer.
- Equipment should not be shared between players.
- Players and coaches can wear PPE if they choose to do so. Please make sure that the player’s PPE does not jeopardize the player’s safety while playing.
- We highly recommended that players wear a PPE item while waiting to bat.
- No team coolers. Players, coaches, and umpires need to bring their own water bottles.
- No sunflower seeds or chewing gum.
Coaches Only
- Please communicate social distancing practices and guidelines to parents and players prior to USA Sports NC events. Have a plan and make sure your team follows it.
USA Sports NC Staff Guidelines
- All USA Sports NC staff members will be wearing masks to prevent the spread of any germs.
- All USA Sports NC staff members will be practicing social distancing when possible.
- A USA Sports NC staff member will sanitize dugouts in between all games when possible.
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.
Following National, State, Local, and Facility Guidelines
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.
Social Distancing
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.
Wipe Down Equipment
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.
Personal Protective Equipment
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.
Hydration
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.
Tip the Cap
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.
Disinfect the Dugout
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.
No Sunflower Seeds
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.
