ISA Softball Tournament

COVID Rules and Recommendations

Where: 1284 E. River Front Road, Cottonwood AZ 86326

Dates:  Saturday's March 13, March 27, April 24, May 15

Social contact before, during and after games:

• There will be a "no-contact, no-handshake policy" to be observed at every level of the organization until further notice. This includes all physical contact and extends to customary game-related activities, such umpire-coach introductions, and post-game handshakes between members of opposing teams. Instead, staff, players and coaches should verbally "good game," without shaking hands, high-fiving or fist-bumping.
• Players will be expected to maintain social distancing or wear masks before and after the games - and during the game when possible.
• Managers will be responsible for keeping any sick players or players in quarantine out of the tournament.
• Spectators will be required to maintain social distancing or wear masks during the tournament.

Dugout:

• Keep 6 feet of distance in and out of dugout. Players will be required to separate and in most cases be in and out of the dugout on the outside of the field fences to maintain space.
• Players will NOT be allowed to spread out on the field of play because of the inherent danger of being hit by a foul ball.
• When one team leaves the dugout, the next team will need to wait until all players have exited, then enter.
• The team leaving the dugout will need to police the dugout and get rid of trash, especially empty drinking containers.

Manager Meetings:

• Until it is safe to gather in groups of more than 10, SSUSA/ISA will forgo all manger meetings. All information pertaining to a specific tournament will be sent to managers via email before the tournament begins. A copy of the Manager Notes will be available in paper copy.
• Managers will receive their updated rosters with the Manager Instructions. It is up to the manager to let the director know if there are any changes at the field before the team begins playing.
• We will be sending managers new Team Waiver Forms that each player will need to sign before playing, saying they understand softball is a game of risk and that there is always a risk in group activities of contracting viruses or other illnesses.

Check In:

• Until the pandemic subsides, we will change our player check-in to minimize groups and contact.
• For the remainder of this season, players will not check in individually. Managers will fill in the back of the lineup cards with first and last names of all players present before each game and directors will use the lineup cards to check in the players for that tournament after the game.
• Managers will be responsible for letting directors know about any changes to the roster before their first game.
• Managers will receive the balls, a pencil and a Sharpe to use during the tournament to mark balls, fill in the lineup cards and sign cards at the end of the game.

The Games:

• We will be providing directors and umpires with either face masks or face shields. These will be worn during tournaments to protect officials who have multiple contacts with managers and players.
• It will be mandatory for catchers to wear a covering over their nose and mouth.
• We encourage players to wear masks when in the dugout during the game.
• Umpires will keep the game balls and disinfect the balls they throw in each inning.
• The on-deck batter or a player assigned by the offensive team will wear gloves and be responsible for picking up the bat after it is used.
• We will NOT be supplying community water jugs for obvious reasons until the pandemic is over. Players will need to supply their own individual water.
• As supplies are available, we will be selling face masks, face shields and gaiters for players who want to buy them.
• We will be using single umpires for all games to help offset the increased costs of housing umpires in hotels alone. (Usually umpires share rooms). This will keep your entry fee in place.
• Any gatherings of teams or players before and after the games will need to follow personal distancing recommendations of being 6 feet apart. Beer, by the way, is not approved COVID-19 treatment.

Personal Hygiene:

• Most important: Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose - with a tissue, is possible - when coughing or sneezing, then properly discard the tissue in the trash.
• Avoid close contact with anyone else who is coughing or sneezing or who is otherwise sick. People who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms will be asked to leave the park.
• Wash your hands often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

IMPORTANT: We will be enforcing these safety measure so that we can get back on the fields as soon as possible in the safest way for all our players and officials. We will be ejecting any player or guest who refuses to follow the safety rules for the good of everyone else in the park. We appreciate your cooperation in following these new procedures as we work together to maintain the highest health and safety standards.

SSUSA/ISA's primary concern is the health and welfare of players, officials and their families.