2020 Playing & Return to Play Rules Update
Agenda • 2020 Playing Rule Changes • 2020 Tournament Season Preview • COVID 19 Return to Play Guidelines • FAQ’s • June 27-28 (first tournament) • Questions
2020 Playing Rule Changes
Rule 6, Sec 1 Modifies requirements for pitcher's foot placement and allows the pitcher to step-back if initiated prior to the start of the pitch Prior to the pitch, the pitcher shall take a position with their pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate and their non-pivot foot in contact with or behind the pitcher's plate . Both feet must be on the ground within or partially within the 24-inch length of the pitcher's plate.
Rule 6, Sec 1 Modifies requirements for pitcher's foot placement and allows the pitcher to step-back if initiated prior to the start of the pitch Any step back with the non-pivot foot must begin before the start of the pitch (6.1.E.1). Once the pitch has started (the hands separate), the pitcher shall take not more than one step which must be forward, toward the batter and simultaneous with the delivery. • EXCEPTION: When removing self from the pitcher's position (6.1.D NOTE) • NOTE: "Toward" is interpreted as within or partially within the 24- inch length of the pitcher's plate. • The pitch begins and cannot be discontinued when the hands are separated once they have been placed together
USSSA Pitching Foot Positioning
USSSA Pitching Foot Positioning
Rule 6, Sec 1J Enhances the penalty for deliberately dropping or rolling a pitch to prevent the batter from striking it The pitcher shall not deliberately drop, roll, bounce, etc, the ball while in the pitching position in order to prevent the batter from striking it. • PENALTY: The ball is dead at the end of playing action. The batter is awarded a ball which may be declined by the offensive coach. • FIRST OFFENSE is a team warning. • SECOND OFFENSE and any subsequent violation the offender is restricted to the bench for the remainder of the game and their current head coach shall be ejected.
2020 Tournament Season
Summer & Fall Season Begin 6/27/2020 Ending 11/7/2020 NO BREAK
Special Events • High School Tournament • July 8-9 • 25 th Annual Kyle Miller Showcase • Sept. 19-20
Added Tournament Offerings • Week Night DHs • Mid Week Tournaments • July 14-16 • July 21-23 • July 28-30 • Aug 4-6 • Aug 11-13
COVID 19 RETURN TO PLAY GUIDELINES
Please understand, these guidelines may/will change as we get clarity on the directives and dates for return to play from the respective state and/or local authorities. Additionally, there may be further directives for each of the parks that are being used from events that are not covered in this document and will be communicated to participating teams prior to the event.
Everyone • The below return to play guidelines are intended to comply with all state and local guidelines for return to play. These guidelines are subject to change based on state and local changes and/or experiences encountered during an event. • Any person who is experiencing symptoms will be prohibited from attending the event/venue of play. • Masks • Participants, officials/umpires and spectators are not mandated to wear masks unless they are not able to maintain physical distance in line with current state orders. • All staff and volunteers are recommended to wear masks. • Masks should be worn by everyone when using indoor bathroom facilities. • Food concession availability will vary by park. If food and beverage service is available the provider must follow State and local COVID-19 guidelines. • Food concession availability will be communicated via email the week of the event. • Facility pavilions and tables are not available for use by anyone attending the event.
Teams/Athletes • 3 coaches per team. • Coaches must wear mask any time being on field other than in coaches box. • Event formats will be unique based on the number of teams entered that will allow for: • A: Managing the flow of people to meet the state guidelines. • B: Provide for a winner of the tournament. • C: Provide the stated game guarantee. • Directors reserve the right to change the format of the event to provide the safest playing conditions possible. • Event formats have teams going and leaving in waves, only a 1/3 to 1/2 of all the teams scheduled are even at the complex at the same time. • Ground rules, only head coach, with social distancing.
Teams/Athletes • If a coach is also a parent, then the coach counts as the single parent allowed for the player. • Each team at a field would only be allowed uniformed players actually playing that day (no injured team members etc.). • Teams will be assigned/guided to assigned warm up area in a responsible and socially distanced manner. • There will be no shaking of hands, high fives, fist bumps or even elbow bumps. At the game’s conclusion teams will just exit the field. • For the team on offense, the 3 players in the batting order due up that inning and 1 coach will be in the dugout. • The remaining players will need to be outside the dugout in the open spaces behind the dugout or on the bleachers or other safety fencing and socially distanced. • Each team, when on defense will be responsible for handling and disinfecting the game balls
Teams/Athletes • Teams are not allowed to bring in communal water coolers and only commercially sealed drink bottles will be allowed. • There will be no retail sales, on site for these events. Online sales of tournament shirts only. Pre-sale tournament shirts will be packaged and distributed to the head coach to distribute to players. • No seeds or gum will be allowed during the game, on the field, in the dugout, or any other team designated areas. • Parents/Guardians should supply their athletes with antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer for disinfecting shared playing equipment and cleaning hands between innings. • Face coverings are not mandatory for athletes but allow players to wear face coverings and gloves if they choose, as long as the items do not compromise the safety of any and all participants in the game. • Coaches and players must leave the playing area and return to their cars immediately after their game(s) end. No sticking around to watch other teams play.
Teams/Athletes • There will be no team check-ins. All teams are required to have the official roster online with all players approved for both the online Return-to-Play Waiver as well as the roster. Players that do not sign the Return-to-Play Waiver will be ineligible to play for the tournament and will not show up on the roster. Insurance certificates will be uploaded as instructed in the coach’s tournament web page. • There will be NO schedules, scores or brackets posted at any sight. All schedules, scores and brackets are online. If an incorrect score is posted, please contact the tournament director by phone, either texting or calling. Be sure to properly identify your team and yourself. • Team on defense should assign a person(s) to retrieve foul balls and return them to the person on defense in charge of sanitizing balls. • Do not discard PPE face coverings, gloves, wipes, etc. on the ground. • Any person coming within an unsafe distance of an umpire or event director to aggressively argue or discuss a call may be subject to automatic ejection (Game plus next game) or removal from premises.
Parents/Spectators • 2 parents/spectators per player. • No additional spectators, siblings, grandparents etc. will be allowed. • No dogs, skateboards, bicycles, rollerblades, etc. • ALL parents and spectators will need to sit outside of the outfield fence line. No sitting near the backstops, dugouts, or bleachers. Bleachers will be reserved for players/teams that are playing. • Parents will be required to bring their own chairs to observe and will be required to maintain the standard 6’ distance between chairs. • Spectators are not required to wear face coverings. However, it is recommended that face coverings be worn in close contact areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
Parents/Spectators • We will allow pop up tents but only 2 people/spectators per player allowed in or around each tent. • Vulnerable populations should not attend these events. • Spectators must leave the playing area and return to their cars immediately after their game(s) end. No sticking around to watch other teams play. • Spectators for upcoming games must remain in their cars or away from the warmup/playing areas during player warmups. They will be permitted to come to the field once their team enters the dugout area. • There will be NO schedules, scores or brackets posted at any sight. All schedules, scores and brackets are online. • Any person coming within an unsafe distance of an umpire or event director to aggressively argue or discuss a call may be subject to automatic ejection (Game plus next game) or removal from premises.
Umpires • No positional changes will be required for umpires. • Umpires are required to maintain proper social distancing when appropriate. • No seeds, or gum will be allowed during the game, on the field, in the dugout, or any other team designated areas. • It is highly recommended that all umpires wear face coverings whenever applicable • Required – To and From field • Do NOT hang out in groups • Obtain a new disinfected set of game balls for every game • DO NOT use balls from previous game
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