Following the changes to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions announced by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Saturday, 20 June 2020, Baseball Victoria is pleased to confirm the resumption of all junior baseball competitions and continued activity for senior players – albeit with additional restrictions.
The Victorian Government has allowed some aspects of community sport to return beginning from 11:59 PM on Sunday, 21 June, which includes:
- Monday, 22 June through Sunday, 12 July 2020
- Adults will continue to train in groups, REDUCED FROM 20 people to 10 per group plus two coaching staff, while maintaining social distancing and non-contact training (i.e. there can be two groups of ten people training at the same time, plus their coaching staff);
- Juniors will be able to recommence full contact training and competition;
- Batting cages and indoor facilities can be used in groups no more than 10;
- Changerooms and facilities can be used while maintaining social distancing and can have no more than 20 people (less dependent upon the size of the facilities);
- Canteens will be set to reopen with the commencement of junior competition, applying all the necessary space and food handling requirements.
Baseball Victoria and the Winter Baseball Associations are working together to confirm how and when junior seasons would commence, along with continuing discussions and options for senior competition.
Senior training must remain as non-contact in groups of 10, with no more than 20 on a single field, maintaining all social distancing and hygiene requirements. The Victorian Government continues to review this particular restriction, which moves back to the earliest Return to Activity training format that commenced on Monday, 25 May 2020. Baseball Victoria will be able to confirm in the coming days if and when training will return to the larger group format.
At this stage, the return dates for senior full contact training and competition are unconfirmed, previous dates published by your Winter Associations are likely incorrect in light of the Victorian Government changes this past weekend.
“This is a fluid situation as Australia continues to adjust to life with COVID-19. The safety of our Victorian baseball community is our top priority, and that’s why we are committed to adapting to all the requirements and restrictions as a result of this changing landscape,” Baseball Victoria President Myles Foreman said. “We continue to update our documents and all of our changes are available on our website. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our community and we look forward to getting back to baseball as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
Clubs will be provided with an updated Continued Activity/Return to Play Plan (Version 3A) and the Club Templates for Training Attendance for seniors have been edited to accommodate 10 people (two groups where necessary), with a separate Template for Training attendance for juniors now that they can return to full training.
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 provide an updated Return to Activity/Play Plan (Version 3A) 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.