Youth sports in SC can return. Here’s the plan for practices, games and hygiene
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster gave the go-ahead Wednesday for youth sports to return around the state.
McMaster announced at a news conference he is signing an executive order that youth sports can begin practice May 30 with games returning no sooner than June 15, all with health restrictions and social distancing guidelines in place for practices, warm-ups and games.
Sports that can resume include, but aren’t limited to, American Legion baseball, Dixie Youth baseball, Little League baseball, travel baseball, youth and adult softball, kickball, soccer, lacrosse and flag football.
Sports seasons have been on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Among the guidance issued Wednesday by S.C. leaders: “Coaches should wear face coverings at all times. Players should be encouraged to wear face coverings when not actively participating on the field of play, provided the use of a face covering will not otherwise jeopardize the player’s health.”
Other guidelines for re-opening youth sports include:
▪ Players, coaches and umpires must bring their own water bottles to team activities.
▪ “Activities that increase the risk of exposure to saliva must not be allowed.” That includes no chewing gum, spitting, licking fingers or eating/spitting seeds.
▪ Athletes are recommended to travel alone to a venue or field, or with people from their immediate household.
▪ No handshakes, fist bumps or high-fives before, during or after the game. And “coaches should ensure that players are adhering to social distancing in dugouts and other seating areas.”
▪ Whenever possible, equipment and personal items should have proper seperation and not be shared.
▪ Spectators must adhere to social distancing requirements for anyone not in the same family.
▪ Game scheduling should allow sufficient time between contests for facilties to be cleaned and disinfected, and to minimize interaction between groups that are coming and going.
▪ Cash transactions should be limited, and six-foot spacing markers should be used for all waiting lines in common areas such as bathrooms and concession areas.
▪ Daily coronavirus symptom self-evaluations are urged for event organizers, staff, coaches, players and officials. Anyone sick or feeling sick should not attend.
According to the state guidelines released Wednesday, “the discretion to re-open athletic fields and allow youth sports activities on or after these dates lies solely with the recreation department or local government having jurisdiction and control of the field and its facilities.” There is also not a “mandate that athletic fields must be re-opened or that youth sports events must be allowed on or after these dates.”
The announcement allows travel baseball, softball and soccer teams to get ready for their summer seasons.
High school athletic teams could be allowed to begin workouts soon ahead of their 2020 seasons, but that decision has to come from the S.C. High School League. The National Federation of High Schools sent out a 16-page list of recommendations for the states to consider for playing high school sports this fall.
Restrictions remain against having spectator sports with larger crowds. NASCAR and the PGA Tour are having events in South Carolina but without fans in attendance. The Lexington County Blowfish summer league baseball team plans to start its season July 1.
The S.C. Youth Soccer group has mandated a return date no earlier than June 13, and the Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission was set to allow practices beginning June 15 and games on July 1. But Wednesday’s ruling might change those plans.
Dixie Youth and Little League baseball leagues already have canceled their state tournaments and World Series but hoped to let teams have some sort of summer seasons. The Dixie Youth Association has listed a list of recommendations for teams and families, including potentially signing a waiver before participating.
American Legion Baseball in South Carolina has been canceled, but the S.C. American League summer league, a 19-and-under alternative independent league to American Legion for 2020, has been formed and is targeting a June 29 date to begin the season.
This story was originally published May 20, 2020 at 4:20 PM.
