Following the welcome news on the easing of restrictions announced by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday, 26 October 2020, Baseball Victoria has confirmed how these changes apply to Victorian baseball and our return to activity.
In summary, VSBL clubs are now able to return to training, so long as they have council approval and are able to confirm the registration of all attendees. All players and coaches must register to return to training HERE.
Those people who reside more than 25kms from their club or any baseball club will not be able to attend training at their registered location but may arrange training with another club or maintain their solo training regime until 8 November 2020, when it is anticipated both the 25km rule and the ‘ring of steel’ between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria will be removed. Our At-Home Baseball Training: Drills and Exercises for the COVID-19 Break and Ramp Up to Play series feature training exercises for those who must continue their solo training for now. Click HERE to check out these training videos.
Clubs will be able to have groups of 20 people (including players and coaches) at training, with two groups on a single diamond separated by 20 metres. At this stage, all training for seniors is non-contact where physically distancing must be maintained, while juniors are able to conduct full training. Access to club canteens/bars will be subject to council approval. More information is available within the hospitality guidelines for the opening of canteens and bars HERE.
“We are excited to welcome our Victorian baseballers back to the diamond after a challenging year," Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton said. “We remain dedicated to the health and safety of our members and are working diligently to create a memorable season despite the circumstances. Thank you to all of our baseball members for their patience and continued support during lockdown, and we look forward to the summer season ahead."
Baseball Victoria has updated our Return to Activity/Return to Play Plan so clubs can continue preparing for the 2020/21 VSBL season based on these confirmed dates, along with the review and penalty process around COVID breaches.
We will continue to provide updates accordingly and wish to remind all members to register for the return to training so we can get back on the field as soon as possible.
Click HERE to register with your club and view registration resources for new and returning members HERE.
Click HERE to view our frequently asked questions, which are regularly updated.
Click HERE to view our updated Return to Activity and Return to Play Plan.
To view the outline on the easing of restrictions provided by the Victorian Government, click HERE.
Click HERE for more Victorian Government COVID-19 resources.
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.