TENTATIVE SPRING/SUMMER 2021 VELOCITY COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS
BG Velocity has worked with the Wood County Health Department to create a tentative plan for spring/summer 2021 which follows the most up-to-date state of Ohio COVID-19 orders and recommendations. These precautions must be followed at all times. Teams/individuals not following precautions will jeopardize their ability to participate. This plan will be reviewed prior to the season start and adjusted as needed based on most current regulations.
Parent Education and Player/Coach Assessment
• **Do not attend practice if you are having any symptoms or have been asked to quarantine or isolate based on the CDC guidelines. This is for the health and safety of all people involved with the organization.**
• If your player tests positive for COVID-19, has any symptoms, or has been asked to quarantine, please contact the COVID-19 Compliance Officer for additional instructions. We follow the state order/AAC guidelines for return to play for positive cases and the CDC guidance for quarantined individuals. A guideline for return is on page 2 of this plan. Velocity’s COVID-19 Compliance Officer will work with players/parents/coaches on planning a return date.
• Every day a player or coach is scheduled to be at a practice/game, an electronic assessment will need
completed. The assessment will be emailed 3 hours prior to start. Velocity’s COVID-19 Compliance Officer will
follow up with families if the questions on the assessment indicate they should not attend the practice/game.
• All coaches and parents have received the state’s mandatory COVID training and education when registering.
Equipment/Field
• Each player will need their own equipment (helmet, bat, glove), as sharing equipment is not allowed.
• The dugout area will be limited to only players and coaches and should be used minimally. The bleachers next to the dugouts will also be used as part of the dugout area to allow coaches/players additional space to promote social distancing. Gathering in the dugout should be limited. Players should grab equipment, then proceed to the field. Breaks during practice should be staggered if possible, to encourage social distancing.
• Each player/coach should have their own water bottle/beverage. There will be no shared water coolers or
shared drinking stations. There should also be no shared food.
• Players/coaches should perform hand hygiene as needed.
• Coaches must wear face coverings at all times.
• Players ages 10 and older must wear face coverings when not on the field/dugout. This includes walking
to/from the parking lot or walking to the restrooms. Face coverings may be removed once in the dugout. Face
coverings are optional for players under age 10.
• Coaches and players must adhere to physical 6-foot distancing when possible.
• Avoid congregating by the fields or parking lot before or after practices or games.
Practice-Specific Guidelines
• Players should be dropped off for practices – players should walk to the field from the car independently. No
parents/family members/spectators should be at the fields for practices. If you choose to stay until practice is
over, please wait in your car during the practice.
• Consider social distancing when creating a practice plan.
Game-Specific Guidelines
• Spectators will be limited at games. The final number will be set by the local and state departments of health
based on current regulations but is expected to be 1-2 spectators per player at each game.
• Spectators must wear a face covering at all times.
• Spectators are encouraged to bring a chair. Seating will not be in the bleachers on most fields, as the bleachers are being used as extra dugout space for players. Most seating will be surrounding the field in marked areas.
GUIDANCE FOR RETURN FOLLOWING A POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST OR QUARANTINE
If your player tests positive for COVID-19, has any symptoms, or has been asked to quarantine, please contact the COVID-19 Compliance Officer ASAP for additional instructions. We follow the state order/AAC guidelines for return to play for positive cases and the CDC guidance for quarantined individuals and positive coaches. Each return will be individualized based on each case and the below guidelines.
Return Guidance for Quarantined Individuals
• If a player/coach has been asked to quarantine due to any exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual, they may return 14 days after the last exposure to the infectious person as long as they have remained symptom free.
Return Guidance for COVID-19 Positive or Presumptive Positive - Coach
• Coaches do not require any special cardiac protocols per the state order and may return when their normal
isolation period is complete
• Return follows a time/symptom-based approach on 10 days following symptom onset AND at least 24 hours have passed since symptom resolution without the use of fever-reducing medications AND other symptoms have improved.
Return Guidance for COVID-19 Positive or Presumptive Positive - Player
• Return to play guidelines for players are based on severity of symptoms per the AAC guidelines. Follow up with Velocity’s COVID Compliance Officer when your player tests positive to determine when they may return to play and if they will require any medical practitioner clearance.
• Asymptomatic or Mild Symptoms (no fever; <3 days of symptoms)
- Return to play after being asymptomatic for 14 days
• Moderate Symptoms (prolonged fevers and bed rest; no hospitalization; no abnormal cardiac testing)
-Return to play for players <12 years old after being asymptomatic for 14 days
-Return to play for players ≥12 years old after being asymptomatic for 14 days and clearance from
medical practitioner stating player has cardiac clearance to return (cannot just be a general note – must
specify cardiac clearance)
• Severe Symptoms (hospitalization; abnormal cardiac testing)
- Return to play for players ≥12 years old after being asymptomatic for 14 days and clearance from
medical practitioner stating player has cardiac clearance to return (cannot just be a general note – must
specify cardiac clearance)