Following Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ announcements this afternoon on the lockdown of COVID-19 hotspots, Baseball Victoria has consulted with VIC Sport and Sport and Recreation Victoria to confirm how these restrictions will impact baseball.
Stage three restrictions will go into effect in 10 postcode areas (see below for a list of postcodes) from 11.59 PM on Wednesday, 1 July 2020 and remain in place through at least Wednesday, 29 July 2020.
Baseball Victoria confirms that no members who live in these postcodes will be allowed to attend any Baseball Victoria training, clubs, committee meeting or events.
Residents in these lockdown postcodes will only be permitted to leave home for four reasons: food and supplies, medical and caregiving, exercise and work and education if it can't be done from home. Organised club training is considered community sport, not exercise, and therefore if you reside in a lockdown postcode, you cannot leave that postcode to attend training in another suburb.
While the restrictions come into effect from tomorrow night, Baseball Victoria strongly recommends participants in these postcodes do not attend club training on Wednesday afternoon/evening.
Baseball Victoria notes that there is not currently a baseball club located in one of the lockdown suburbs, although there are several clubs that are in the areas surrounding these suburbs and they may consider if they will continue to hold their scheduled training sessions.
Those people whom reside in the lockdown postcodes and whom have registered to train will receive an email directly confirming they are not permitted to attend training. Each club will be provided with a listing of those people whom are not permitted to attend training.
Any member that updates their postcode from a current lockdown postcode to another postcode will be required to provide proof of residence. In addition, any returning member whom updates their postcode from a previous registration to a new postcode which is no longer in a lockdown postcode will also need to provide proof of residence, as will any new members to baseball.
These updated restrictions will affect the Continued Activity for several clubs and associations and may result in changes to the previously published dates on training, junior competitions and a return to senior full contact training and competition.
Baseball Victoria will continue to work with the Winter Associations and Winter Clubs to determine what these changes mean for the winter season, acknowledging that updates continue to occur regularly.
The information contained here applies as at 9:00 PM on Tuesday, 30 June 2020 to the following postcodes:
3012: Brooklyn, Kingsville, Maidstone, Tottenham, West Footscray
3021: Albanvale, Kealba, Kings Park, St Albans
3032: Ascot Vale, Highpoint City, Maribyrnong, Travancore
3038: Keilor Downs, Keilor Lodge, Taylors Lake, Watergardens
3042: Airport West, Keilor Park, Niddrie
3046: Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park
3047: Broadmeadows, Dallas, Jacana
3055: Brunswick South, Brunswick West, Moonee Vale, Moreland West
3060: Fawkner
3064: Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickleham, Roxburgh Park, Kalkallo
“The fight against COVID-19 is not over, and our community needs to remain vigilant to keep everyone safe and healthy,” Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton said. “As this situation continues to evolve, Baseball Victoria will work through the impact this has on the winter season, and determine any further updates or changes as required.”
Following on from previous announcements, Winter Associations will provide further details on their senior and junior programs via their communication channels. Click HERE to view Winter Association details.
Baseball Victoria continues to liaise with the Victorian Summer Baseball League Clubs to confirm the commencement dates and details for summer baseball.
Members are reminded that to Return to Activity you must register – click HERE to select your club from the Baseball Victoria Website and complete your registration.
The Baseball Victoria COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions have been updated – click HERE to review the changes.
Baseball Victoria will update the Return to Activity/Play Plan to assist baseball clubs throughout this transition. Click HERE to view the current guidelines and other club resources.
In addition, we have our Ramp Up to Play: Drills and Exercises Program on our website and BV TV YouTube channel to prepare athletes for a return to activity and play.
If you have any questions please contact Baseball Victoria, with full contact details available HERE.
As a reminder, the COVIDSafe app is now available and will allow authorities to quickly track and control the spread of COVID-19. Please consider downloading the app to help save lives, protect the community and get baseball back as soon as possible. Click HERE to learn more.
For up-to-date information on keeping your family safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website HERE.
All further updates from Baseball Victoria will be available on the Baseball Victoria website and will also be communicated by the Baseball Victoria social media channels.