Opening Day is February 20.

Scottsdale Cal Ripken Spring 2021 Season Return to Play Plan

General Guidelines

• Follow local & state health guidelines at all times.
• Communicate with your league members on guidelines prior to the start of your season and throughout the Spring 2021 season.
• Make modifications for scheduling of games and practices to meet guidelines.
• Have special COVID-19 waivers signed prior to the start of any league activities.
• Ensure that your charter & insurance are current for 2021 prior to the start of any activities.
• Try to allow league meetings to a virtual online format for the remainder of the Spring 2021 season.
• Always check for updates online from local & state health officials, as well as from Babe Ruth League Headquarters.
• Play a FULL Spring local league season (if permitted) to allow as many players as possible to participate playing baseball within the community.

Requirements

• All restrictions that are imposed by local & state officials must be followed, within reason.
• Notify all participants and volunteers of the changes being implemented in accordance with local & state guidelines.
• Special “COVID-19” release waivers must be completed by all players, coaches, volunteers, umpires and/or regular spectators of program activities.
• Review suggested Babe Ruth League Guidelines on social distancing for game activities.

Game Day Requirements

1. No handshaking/celebrations: Players and coaches should refrain from handshakes, high fives, fist/elbow bumps, chest bumps, group celebrations, etc.
2. Minimize the amount of players in the dugout at one time, while also following 6’ social distancing guidelines at all times. Remaining players & coaches will be positioned down the left & right field lines (off playing field & outside of fence – if possible) away from throws that might come to 1st and 3rd base.
3. Players should limit any sharing of playing equipment, bats, gloves, helmets, water bottles etc.
4. Coaches should wear masks when in the dugout and/or social distancing not possible.
5. Coaches are allowed to remain outside dugout near fence during play to allow for social distancing.
6. No more than 3 coaches per team allowed on the field/in dugout at a time.
7. Parents should be advised to have backup supplies in the player’s equipment bag for use when needed and their own marked water bottle or sports drink. No team or dugout coolers are permitted.
8. Limit the number of fans/spectators per player attending games.
9. Allow for gaps in between games to help limit the number of people at the park at one time. For complexes with more than one field, we will try to reduce the amount of games or activities to half of the normal scheduling to allow for greater space in the park.
10. Fans attending games should follow 6’ social distancing guidelines at all times.
11. Suggest that any player, or person not feeling well, should not attend games or practices.
12. Review new procedures with all Team Managers prior to the first activity or game at the park.
13. Any team or player awards are presented wrapped up and given to the Team Manager or team point person. There should not be any on field presentations.
14. Pregame conference will be limited to one (1) Coach per team and one (1) Umpire. Social distancing of 6’ is required

SCR's weather policy can be viewed online or by clicking here.  As it relates to lightning, we suggest using the WeatherBug App as they have a feature called Spark which shows the current lightning activity in the area. As a rule of thumb, if lighting is within a 10-mile radius you should suspend play/practice and take shelter.  Typically, you should wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning flash or sound of thunder -- or wait until the nearest lightning strike is 10-miles or more away -- prior to resuming activity.

Parents, please be in touch with your coaches. Coaches, please be in touch with your division's commissioner and the league will notify the coaches of any delays or closures but sometimes you will have to make a judgement call on when to play and when to seek shelter.  Thanks!

WeatherBug App Download Link:  https://www.weatherbug.com/appdownload/

SCR Weather Policy:  https://leagueathletics.com/Page.asp?n=52995&org=scottsdalecalripken.com

Thank You!

SCR Baseball

Bats must have the appropriate USA Baseball stamp to be used in Scottsdale Cal Ripken. These bats can have up to a 2 5/8 barrel but must include the USA Baseball logo.  BBCOR is not allowed.  Wood bats that adhere to the national Cal Ripken rules are also allowed. Only Tball and AA divisions are allowed to use Tball bats.

Click here to read more about this new bat national standard for Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken baseball.

*Please refer to your division's rules for further clarification or contact your commissioner.