GFB and USA Travel Ball Social Distancing Policy
Please see below guidelines and policies for all 2020 events. These are in conjunction with state and local municipalities requirements and recommendations for social distancing in our industry. We are excited to have an opportunity for our boys and girls and families to get back into the parks and on the fields. Our customers safety and health continue to be our number one priority. These guidelines change weekly per city and county municipalities. We will keep updated as much as possible.
Phase I
50% capacity: Example: In a four-field complex that would normally service 32-40 teams for a weekend, we are now able to service 15-20 teams for a two-day weekend and/or 24-30 teams for a three-day weekend. To service these capacity requirements, all pool and bracket games will be one hour and twenty-minute time limits. Championship games will be one hour and forty-minutes.
6’ social distancing: All bleachers will be divided up to meet these guidelines and will be monitored by GFB and Park staff. We recommend all spectator chairs and tents to be placed at a minimum 10’ spacing. Some parks require spectators to set up behind and around the outfield areas.
All entry points, dugouts, restrooms, and bleachers will have sanitizer available.
Cash less and paper less entry fees, gate fees and umpire fees: Entry fees can continue to be paid online at time of registration or by using the “pay online” tab on top menu bar to pay at any time. There will be new tabs on all event sites for payment of gate fees “EZ-Gates” and umpire fees “EZ-Umps”.
No team or sharing of coolers: Personal water jugs and coolers are recommended. Keep everyone hydrated, especially the players.
Only one umpire per game. Umpire will have an umpire’s box approximately 3-5 feet behind catchers. Some Cities and Counties require the umpire behind the pitcher (non allowed behind the plate)
All staff members will wear mask or bandanas and gloves while communicating with customers within six-foot distance.
No team, coach, or umpire handshakes before or after games. Teams and coaches will find ways to be creative to show the respect for the game and its members. We look forward to seeing these creative ideas on the fields.
Plate meeting will require coaches and umpires to use the 6’ social distancing policy. Staff members will collect and exchange line ups to umpires, coaches, and score keepers. Staff members will wear mask and gloves for these exchanges. Any communication concerning game and line ups will require 6’ social distancing policies.
Team huddles are allowed without contact and recommended with distancing. Coaches and teams are encouraged to find ways to be creative with distancing. High five, pats etc.. need to be contactless.
Award ceremonies: All awards will be sanitized before presentations. Staff members presenting the awards will be required to wear mask and gloves. Team and individual pictures are encouraged. No mixed team pictures will be allowed.
Phase II Projections
The only thing we believe could be different for our industry during 2020 for Phase II is moving to 75% capacity. We hope to be there by September 2020.