The below guidelines are for June 2020 or until the Maine CDC provides an update which changes our safety plan.  Please note that we will have game safety protocols very shortly as well. 

Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.  Below are Waivers required to be acknowledged by all players guardians in order to be able to practice and play in games this season.  

EBL Waiver Registration:   https://neelite.sportngin.com/register/form/172238450

SM River Rats Waiver Registration:   https://riverratsbaseball.sportngin.com/register/form/181026310

The Aspen Institute  “Project Play”, currently ranks Baseball and Softball into three categories:

Low, Medium and Highest Risk.  Any organized baseball or softball activity is at the low spectrum of Highest Risk.  This is due to social contact.  We can and will mitigate as many risks as possible and Coaches and Managers must be at the forefront to ensure all our players, parents, family members, staff and umpires are protected and safe.

During our games, we will comply with Maine CDC guidelines for community sports;

Link:  https://www.maine.gov/decd/sites/maine.gov.decd/files/inline-files/COVID%20Checklist%20for%20ME%20Phase%202%20Community%20Sports.pdf

We will also comply with the Elite Baseball League safety rules outlined on their website;

Link:  https://www.elitebaseballleague.com/page/show/5788054-ebl-return-to-play-guidelines

In addition, the SM River Rats have the following Guidelines to ensure compliance;

• No player can bring more than 2 fans to their game for the month of June.  This will help us achieve the "no more than 50 people" rule.  
• We strongly discourage player car-pooling. 
• Umpires for our home games will be calling balls/strikes from behind the mound.  The recommendation is to wear face covering at all times but it is required when they cannot achieve social distancing.
• The dugouts are different in all locations.  Our rule is the dugout can only be utilized by the number of players/coaches that they can achieve social distancing.  The remaining players will be along side the fencing, 6 feet apart.  In cases that we can mark the 6 feet of distance on the benching, we will.  
• In leagues in which there is stealing, we are mandating our first baseman to wear a face covering while holding a runner on base.  This is our specific rule and will be completed at home games.  
• There will be strict rules on arriving and departing from games.  In cases where we have a round robin, you are NOT allowed to watch the game you are NOT participating in unless it is safe to social distance and we have not exceeded the 50 limit capacity.
• All teams will have sanitizer for hands and for game balls.  We intend to rotate game balls each inning and disinfecting them throughout the game.  

The information below are our guidelines to return safely back to playing baseball.  Please know that information changes quickly and we will keep this "living document" here and advise if anything changes.  These are specific to June 2020 and the current Maine CDC guidelines.  We ask that all parents and players respect these guidelines and follow them closely.  

Indoor Hitting at Hitters Count

1. All players will wash hands upon entering the facility
2. Players will show up no more than 10 minutes prior to practice. 
3. Players will be required to sit on bleachers in designated spots that will be clearly marked.  Players should not be standing in front of the cages or in the middle of the walki area.  We must keep this clear for Gym Nation as they need to walk through our area to get to theirs. 
4. One parent will check players with coaches when prudent but must leave the area after. Parents will have to wear masks in the facility.  This is a building rule and we must comply.   It will be players and coaches only at the cages.  Log books must be kept for all players and coaches in attendance. 
5. Coaches will wear masks into the facility, but when pitching or front toss do not have to wear them.  When conducting soft toss from the side, the coach will wear a mask.
6. Only coaches will handle the balls.  Players can kick the ball to an area to help out.  We will make sure there are more practice balls available.
7. Tee work can be done with multiple players but you need to be aware of the 6 foot rule.
8. Players will enter through the front of the building and exit through the backdoor.  This will help mitigate congestion points.  Parents can park outback for pick up and this will be communicated.  Make this the norm. 
9. Absolutely no horse play, or fooling around.

The information below are our guidelines to return safely back to playing baseball.  Please know that information changes quickly and we will keep this "living document" here and advise if anything changes.  These are specific to June 2020 and the current Maine CDC guidelines.  We ask that all parents and players respect these guidelines and follow them closely. 

Outdoor Practices

1. If any player/coach is presenting symptoms, has a fever  or is known to have contact with any person who has tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 14 days he/she will not attend practices or games.
2. All coaches and players when social distancing is not achievable will wear a face mask.  Dugouts must be monitored if they are closed or do not allow for the 6 foot  distancing  we will not use them.  Players in this instance will be outside the fence and suggest that each player bring their own chair to sit in. 
3. SMRR will provide hand sanitizer to all teams and will have ample supplies at the hitting facility if more is needed.  All parents and players should also bring their own personal supply of HS.
4. Players should mark their water bottles and strongly discourage the use of store bought water bottles such as Poland Spring.  If a player or coach brings one of these products, parents should clearly mark the name on the bottle.  A black sharpie will be provided to each team to label if a player does not have it clearly marked.
5. No sharing of equipment or uniforms  are allowed. 
6. High fiving or celebrations after a big hit is not allowed.  Coaches get creative and figure another way to celebrate.
7. Contact Log-  A log of players who attends by event must be kept by team coaches.  SMRR will purchase notebooks that will be used and will be available June 1 at the facility.  At this time we are not requiring coaches to maintain a log of spectators.  Information needed will be players/coaches name (umpire as well), date and cell phone when appropriate.
8. We want to encourage parents and family members to adhere to the social distancing protocol when in attendance. 
9. Sanitize, sanitize and sanitize-  Maintain distance and pick up after yourself.