In advance of the 2022 Spring season, our interim Big Willow COVID-19 Policy is outlined as follows, based on MDH / CDC guidance.   At this point, families should be pretty familiar with the safety protocols already being in place in the schools. 

Prior to attending

• Big Willow uses the MDH Decision Tree <here> for youth programs that most families should be familiar with from their schools.
• Please ensure your youth athlete has no symptoms (fever, coughing, etc.).  If they do have symptoms, they should not attend.  You can contact Big Willow (covidresponse@bigwillowbaseball.com) for questions on timing for return to play.
• If your youth athlete is a close contact:
• if vaccinated, they can attend - please monitor for symptoms and test as appropriate.
• if not vaccinated,  they are not eligible to attend - return to play is 14d after last contact.
• If your youth athlete tests positive with COVID, contact Big Big Willow (covidresponse@bigwillowbaseball.com) if they were in attendance at a Big Willow event in the past 10 days, and for guidance on return to play (generally 10d after onset of symptoms, etc.).

For indoor events

• Wear masks at all times (remove only while drinking water, and maintain 6' distance while doing so)
• Use cohorts / groups when able
• Maintain distancing (3' within a cohort, 6' from those outside a cohort, 6' with coaches and youth)
• Practice handwashing, and cover coughs and sneezes
• Additional guidelines may be required from the facility (will be posted)
• Attendance will be taken (youth attendees, coaches / assistants) in order to support MDH with contact tracing

Per MDH/CDC guidelines for youth sports and baseball, Big WIllow encourages regular testing for youth atheletes.   Please find additional information on no-cost testing resources <here>.

Regular season guidelines will be updated prior to opening day, and will follow applicable MDH / CDC guidelines.  Please feel free to contact Big Willow (covidresponse@bigwillowbaseball.com) with any questions.

Updates to COVID-19 safety guidelines effective 8/2

Big Willow Families -

In order to ensure these last weeks of summer ball are safe for our youth athletes and families (and in light of recent increased levels of community spread, increased rate of infection with the Delta variant, etc.) the following COVID-19 safety guidelines are now in effect.  Board members will be on site to assist with players, teams and families as needed.

• Social distancing required.  Players and spectators to keep 6' distancing from others at all times, even if vaccinated.  Coaches will run warm-ups, etc. in a manner to avoid clustering and to maintain 6' distance.  Parents are encouraged to consider face masks for their youth players when not actively on the field.
• Dugouts for use by coaches only.  Coaches will ensure players use the areas along the fence to drop their bags (on the side outside of the field) and wait / maintain 6' distancing with their bag  when not up to bat or on the field. 
• Concessions volunteers.  Face masks will be required for all concessions volunteers, even if vaccinated.  
• Umpires.   The umpires will remain behind the plate (and in the field), and will wear face masks at all times. 

Please notify Big Willow if your child (or other family members) become sick with COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone with a confirmed (or suspected) case at any time within 2 weeks of attending a Big Willow event (email covidresponse@bigwillowbaseball.com).  Please refrain from having your child or other family members attend Big Willow events until cleared.  The COVID-19 safety coordinator will work with you to determine next steps and timelines for "return to play" (e.g. based on the circumstances immediately or over the 14-day quarantine / expedited 10-day or 7-day quarantine, etc.), and will notify your team's coach as appropriate. 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out via email covidresponse@bigwillowbaseball.com at any time.  

We look forward these last weeks of summer ball, and your continued support in together keeping our kids and community safe!

Updated message to Big Willow families as we continue in to the 2021 summer season

As fellow parents, we at the Big Willow Baseball Association are excited to continue in to our 2021 summer season!  While we know this outbreak has been stressful to many, and recognize that exercising and participating in activities like sports can be a healthy way to cope with stress and connect with our community. 

The Big Willow Baseball Association has established its guidelines based on recommended best practices and in alignment with applicable guidelines from the MDH and CDC in order to protect players, families, and our community.  Please note that all guidelines from local, state and federal officials supersede Big Willow’s recommendations and guidelines.  These guidelines do change from time to time, and will be updated as appropriate, along with communication to families, coaches, volunteers and staff. 

We at the Big Willow Baseball Association recognize that returning to the field is a risk / reward situation that each family will need to assess for themselves.  The benefits in sports and physical activity with friends has both physical and psychological health benefits for children and adolescents.  The decision to participate in sports does not mean engaging in sports is without risk.  Any time you gather with other people, you are putting yourself and others at risk of exposure to COVID-19, which can lead to serious medical conditions and even death for people of all ages. 

The guidance provided here is intended to reduce the risk of transmission but does not eliminate it.  With this, we understand that with the right protocols in place, the adapted practice and play with youth baseball is well suited to keep our kids safe.  We have sought to weight safety over minor inconveniences.  We believe we can continue to develop the skills of the kids in our community while making it fun. 

Please notify Big Willow if your child (or other family members) become sick with COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 symptoms or a confirmed or suspected case at any time within 2 weeks of attending a Big Willow event (email covidresponse@bigwillowbaseball.com).

Outside of Big Willow events, we still have a responsibility to our Big Willow community.  All players, parents, and coaches should understand that social interactions outside of practices are sources of transmission among teams (especially if not vaccinated). 

The health and safety of our youth athletes, staff, and volunteers remain our highest priority. In our guidelines, you will find a summary of actions we are taking to help ensure we are lowering COVID-19 risk as much as practicable while also allowing our athletes to play.

In this, we will need your support as parents in helping reinforce the safety protocols in place, and ensuring their attentiveness to direction from coaches.  Together we look forward to continuing on field this summer, and keeping our kids and community safe!

// Big Willow Baseball Association Board of Directors

The Big Willow COVID guidelines for summer season practices and games are as follows, and were were last updated 7/9/2021 to include revised guidance from MDH on 6/30/2021.  These are provisional guidelines, and are subject to revision as appropriate.

1.  Pre-practice email sent to players, parents, and coaches detailing practice and game guidelines.

• Requiring all participants to practice social distancing (especially as most of our youth athletes are not yet eligible for vaccinations).
• Face masks are not required, but can be worn if desired.  
• Be on the lookout for symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, or shortness of breath among others. Call your doctor if you think you or a family member is sick.  Any participant experiencing symptoms of sickness or who has have recently had a close contact with a person with COVID-19 should not attend practice and will be prohibited from attending, and should contact covidresponse@bigwillowbaseball.com for additional guidance.
• Parents are asked to take the temperature of players before each practice and game as coaches are not equipped to do so.
• Please see the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Home Screening Tools for COVID-19 Symptoms for more information.
• Per the MDH, it is strongly recommended that all parents/guardians of players have their children tested for COVID-19 bi-weekly as they are participating in athletic programs. You can find information about at-home, no-cost testing <here>. Regular weekly testing is optional.  Big Willow does not need to receive the results of these tests, only a notification if a player tests positive.
• Parents are required to talk to their kids about the new guidelines.
• In addition to regular baseball equipment (bag, glove, bat, helmet, etc.), parents to provide their kids with at least the following for their personal use: cloth face covering (optional), hand sanitizer, any disinfectant wipes (for their equipment), individual water bottle (clearly labeled), and rain gear.
• Parents will be required to review and sign waivers before their youth players attend practice.
• Make clear that all posted or published local and state-regulated guidelines shall be followed.
• During games, spectators are free to watch from the park area outside the outfield fences, or via designated spectator areas in the common area, maintaining appropriate social distancing.  
• Parents are encouraged to remain at Big Willow when there is higher likelihood of rain or inclement weather, as there is limited shelter available.
• For questions or concerns please reach out to COVIDresponse@bigwillowbaseball.com.

2.  Dugouts will have limited use during games by players.

• The fields will have designated areas marked for players to put their gear at least 6 feet apart from each other along the fence line (outside the field for games, inside the field for practices).
• Upon arriving, coaches will instruct players to maintain distance while placing their gear in the designated area along the fence line.
• Limited use of the dugouts by players may be undertaken at the coach's discretion (and ensuring six foot distancing requirements are met)

3.  Players will not share gear or equipment.

• Players should do their best not to share bats, gloves, helmets, or any other equipment.
• Each team will be issued a set of catcher’s gear by the association.
• Association-provided catcher’s gear should be sanitized by the coach before and after a player uses it.  
• Players who own their own catcher’s gear should be mindful of keeping it in their designated area so that no one else comes into contact with it.
• Catchers gear will not be used for Juniors, nor drills that would require their use, nor will there be a catcher on the field for gameplay at these levels.
• Additional baseballs for practice and games will be made available to the coaches as needed.

4.  Parents to supply their players with antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer for use as needed.

• Soap and water are not readily available on the fields (only in the public restroom facilities). 
• As such, it is required that players use an FDA-approved alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.  (You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.)
• It is recommended players wash hands at the start of practice or game and before each set of drills, at the end of each set of drills or inning where there is shared contact (e.g. throwing / catching a baseball, etc.), and again at the end of practice or game.

5.  Players are not required to wear face coverings,  and there will be no contact allowed.

• Youth players are not required to wear a facemask / cloth face covering, although they may do so if they choose. 
• Coaches, and any other youth sports staff or officials are not required to wear a facemask / cloth face covering, although they may do so if they choose. 
• Players are permitted to wear other PPE items if they choose to do so.  Any additional PPE items worn should do not compromise the safety of the wearer or any participants at the practice or game.
• Bags will be required for kids of all ages (to allow for a place to safely store water bottle, rain gear, etc.). 
• Coaches will encourage players to cover coughs and sneezes using the inside of their elbow, and reminding them to not spit.
• Players and unvaccinated coaches must maintain minimum six feet of distance from any other person at all times before, during and after practice and gameplay.
• No player contact – there will be limited plays at base or tag outs, players and coaches must refrain from high fives, handshake line, or any other physical contact.  A “tip of the cap” will be used as a salute instead. 
• No coach contact – coaches will also maintain distance and refrain from contact with players and other coaches, except as necessary in the event of a medical emergency.
• When there is contact of any kind in the field of play, players should resume physical distance immediately upon completion of the play.

6.  Players should bring an individual water bottle.

• Drinks should absolutely not be shared.
• There will be no team-shared coolers.
• All bottles must be labeled clearly with the player’s name so it is not mistaken for someone else’s.
• While the field will have functioning water fountains, it is recommended that players bring larger water bottles or multiple water bottles to avoid groups clustering for refilling.
• As with all summertime play, coaches will be encouraging regular water breaks.
• If a player forgets their water bottle, or runs out, water is available at the concession stand.

7.  Absolutely no food is allowed on the field / dugouts / team areas.

• This includes NO sunflower seeds or gum use.
• Note the concession stand will be open with a limited selection of bottled beverages, pre-packaged food, etc. for consumption in the common areas.

8.  Additional guidelines for use of batting cages.

• Please observe correct entry and exit into the cages as instructed, and designated waiting areas to maintain appropriate distancing.

9.  Modified inclement weather protocols.

• Parents are strongly recommended to remain at Big Willow for practice or games when there is an increased likelihood of rain.

10.  Restroom protocols.

• Please note that the public restrooms are maintained by the City of Minnetonka (and not by the Big Willow Baseball Association).

11.  Modified first aid protocols.

• The first aid kits issued to the coaches of each pod will include gloves, extra face masks, and additional hand sanitizer, and which will be required to be used by coaches or others administering first aid.
• The concession stand be available for access through the on-site board member, and will contain ice and extra first aid kits for injuries. 
• If someone does get sick or present symptoms during practice or games, ensure they are wearing their mask if able, isolate them from others, and arrange for transportation to their home or healthcare facility (as directed by their parents as appropriate for youth players or staff).  See additional detailed guidelines.
• As a reminder, cloth face coverings should not be placed on anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance.

12.  Guidelines if someone gets sick.

• Coaches, staff, officials, players, and families are advised that sick individuals should not attend the youth sports activity, and that they should notify the COVID-19 point of contact (covidresponse@bigwillowbaseball.com) if they (staff) or their child (families) become sick with COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 symptoms or a confirmed or suspected case.
• If an individual is onsite with COVID-19 symptoms (i.e., fever, cough, shortness of breath), immediately separate from coaches, staff, officials, and players.
• Individuals who are sick should go home or to a healthcare facility, depending on how severe their symptoms are, and follow CDC guidance for caring for oneself and others who are sick.
• Individuals who have had close contact with a person who has symptoms should be separated and sent home as well, and follow CDC guidance for community-related exposure (see notifications below).
• Parents will be contacted for safely transporting anyone who is sick to their home or to a healthcare facility (an ambulance may also be contacted if an emergency).  If calling an ambulance or bringing someone to the hospital, try to call first to alert them that the person may have COVID-19.
• Close off areas used by a sick person and do not use these areas until after cleaning and disinfecting them (for outdoor areas, this includes surfaces or shared objects in the area, if applicable).
• Wait at least 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting. If 24 hours is not feasible, wait as long as possible. Ensure safe and correct use and storage of cleaning and disinfection products, including storing them securely away from children.

13.  Communication, attendance tracking and confirmed cases.

• Please notify Big Willow if your child (or other family members) become sick with COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 symptoms or a confirmed or suspected case at any time within 2 weeks of attending a Big Willow event (covidresponse@bigwillowbaseball.com)
• The association will disseminate these guidelines to all coaches, umpires, players, and parents.
• The coach of each pod will keep an accurate record of their youth players and any assistant coaches, including contact information, and their respective attendance at each practice or game. In the case of someone getting infected, this will be necessary for Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to perform contact tracing.
• Organizers are required contact the MDH about any suspected case of COVID-19 or known exposure.  Coaches and families will contact the dedicated association contact, who will in turn contact the MDH and alert the Big Willow community as appropriate.
• Big Willow will work with local health officials to develop a reporting system (e.g., letter) to notify health officials and close contacts of cases of COVID-19.
• Big Willow will advise those who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay home and self-monitor for symptoms, and to follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

14.  Support and resources from the association, upfront and ongoing.

• The association will provide mandatory coaches training, and will seek to ensure consistent application of safety guidelines.
• This training will also highlight and encourage youth development, and how to run modified drills, etc. with the safety guidelines.
• The association will learn from and adapt its guidelines as appropriate, and there will be continuous sharing and feedback between coaches.
• The association and coaches will have a zero-tolerance policy for intentional breaches to the safety guidelines.
• There will be a dedicated association contact for coaches and families, providing ongoing support and communications. 
• If a family is unable to obtain their own equipment, please contact the Big Willow Baseball Association president for more information on scholarship support.
• There will be at least one designated Big Willow Baseball Association board member onsite for additional support and monitoring while the field is in use for scheduled practices and games.

15.  Additional guidelines for umpires.

• Umpires will not be required to wear a cloth face covering, but may do so if desired. 
• Must maintain six feet distance from any other person (unless vaccinated).
• Must conduct a daily symptom assessment and stay home if experiencing symptoms, which include fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Call your doctor if you think you or a family member is sick.  If experiencing symptoms of sickness or if you recently had close contact with a person with COVID-19, you should not attend and will be prohibited from attending.
• Must avoid exchanging equipment with any other person.
• Association to provide cleaner / sanitizer for use if equipment is shared.
• No touch rule – umpires must refrain from physical contact with coaches, players, and others.
• A “tip of the cap” will be used as a salute to the teams to promote sportsmanship.
• These guidelines will be posted in the equipment shed, and communicated with the umpire staff by the association.

16.  Additional guidelines for field crew.

• Must conduct a daily symptom assessment and stay home if experiencing symptoms, which include fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Call your doctor if you think you or a family member is sick.  If experiencing symptoms of sickness or if you recently had close contact with a person with COVID-19, you should not attend and will be prohibited from attending.
• Association to provide cleaner / sanitizer for use on the equipment.

17.  Additional support for volunteer coaches.

• The association will provide additional support for coaches.
• This includes a coach’s virtual binder on the Big Willow website for each team, containing:
  • Safety guidelines
  • Contact information for parents
• Attendance tracking will be done through the SportsEngine app, and coaches (or if designated their assistant coach or team parent) will take attendance for each practice and game.
• The coach’s equipment bag for each pod will contain:
  • One bag of practice baseballs 
  • For Farms and Majors one set of catcher’s gear (to be sanitized before / after each use)
  • No extra batting helmet for the 2020 season (youth players to bring their own).  Should a family need a helmet, Big Willow may assign any available helmets to the player for the season.
  • First aid kit
  • One duffel bag for storage
• Coaches to bring at least the following for their personal use: cloth face covering, hand sanitizer, any disinfectant wipes (for personal equipment), and rain gear.
• Per the MDH, it is strongly recommended that all coaches are fully vaccinated.  If not yet fully vaccinated, it is highly recommended that coaches be tested for COVID-19 every other week. You can find information about at-home, no-cost testing <here>. Testing is optional.  Big Willow does not need to receive the results of these tests unless a coach tests positive.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us (covidresponse@bigwillowbaseball.com).