Highland Ball COVID-19 Status - May 25

Highland Ball Families,

The Highland Ball Board has been monitoring the developments as it relates to youth sports in Minnesota and working to outline a plan to begin our 2020 season amid the unique circumstances dictated by playing baseball and softball in a Covid-19 environment.  Our purpose is to utilize the guidance from various state and local authorities, along with our own priorities and your feedback, to provide opportunities for kids within the Highland Ball community to play ball while remaining safe.  We are considering a couple different options, which are described below.  Whether we play games or focus on development opportunities for the summer, the Board is focused on providing a safe environment for the Highland Ball community.  Included in this communication is our Highland Ball COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, which outlines the strategy and tactics to provide a safe and healthy environment for all our players, coaches, parents, spectators, and workers at all of our facilities. Also included are guidelines prepared by the principal organizing bodies for youth baseball and softball in the State of Minnesota – Metro Baseball League (MBL), MN Youth Athletic Services (MYAS), and MN Softball (MNS). These guidelines have been proposed to the MN Dept. of Health.  Please review the plan and guidelines to understand the steps we are taking and will ask of you to ensure this season is as safe as possible.

Here are the two options under consideration:

Plan A – If Phase 3 of the Governor’s plan for youth sports (which allows games to be played) is approved to begin on or around June 15, and is communicated by Governor by June 3:

• Organized team practices begin on June 5
• In-house Baseball/Softball games begin the week of 6/15
• 6-week season ending Sunday 8/2
• Travel and Plus Baseball/Softball games begin when the organizing bodies permit (at present, we are being told that MBL/MYAS/MN Softball (and Tri-County) plan to conclude their seasons by 8/2.

Plan B - If the Governor does not provide clearance by June 3 to play games by June 15 or sooner, or if the Board determines there is a strong sentiment within the Highland Ball community to focus on development opportunities instead of a standard in-house season based on feedback from this registration:

• Organized League activities will be modified to include small-group skill development, scrimmages, and other fun activities as State rules allow
• Organized activity ending Sunday 8/2
• In addition to a full refund of volunteer fees, players will receive a partial refund of registration fees (after accounting for costs incurred)

We are opening up an opt-in/opt-out registration on the Highland Ball website [https://highlandball.sportngin.com/register/form/799461075], asking you to communicate your intention to participate in league activities this summer and your preference for the activities to be offered. We understand there may be some players who choose not to participate this season, so the opt-in/op-out registration is necessary for us to form teams or adjust teams that were previously formed, or to organize a development program that suits the needs of various age levels. Within the registration, you will be given four options for each of your players:

Opt-in for either Plan A or Plan B - Let's play ball in any form available.  "We are ready to go!"

Opt-in for Plan A only - We want to practice with the intent to play competitive games and are less interested in a modified season.

Opt-in for Plan B only - We are more comfortable with a modified season, focused on offering kids opportunities to play some ball in smaller group settings.

Opt-out - We would like to take the summer off from organized baseball and softball activities

Families that opt-out will be given a partial refund of registration fees (after accounting for costs already incurred) and a full refund of volunteer fees.

In-house, Plus, Tri-county, and Travel teams are included in the Opt-in/Opt-out registration.  With tournaments being cancelled/rescheduled and Travel leagues dependent on additional variables outside of our control, we will manage the activities of Plus, Tri-county, and Travel teams at each age level with support from the Plus/Travel Committee. 

Please review the Highland Ball COVID-19 Preparedness Plan and utilize the Opt-in/Opt-out registration to communicate the level of activity that you and your players are comfortable with.  The registration should take no more than a couple minutes.  With the information we learn from your feedback, we will move forward accordingly.  Please respond by Thursday, 5/28/20. 

Thank you for your patience as we have worked to get to this point.  Thank you for your voice to help us determine the best path forward. 

Contact us at HighlandBall@gmail.com. E-mails will be returned in 2-3 business days. If you need to reach someone with urgency, please contact a league commissioner directly.

Little League & Babe Ruth Baseball, Ford Fields: Cleveland Avenue S. and W. Montreal
Little League Softball, Nova: 1168 W. Montreal
Hi-Mac Developmental, Groveland: West of Groveland Rec Center, St. Clair and Cleveland