Sunday, June 21, 2020 - 10:55am
Hello MLL Families,
Manchester Little League and all little leagues in Ocean & Monmouth Counties have been approved by Little League International and the state of New Jersey to begin outdoor social distancing practicing starting tomorrow, Monday June 22nd.
We at Manchester Little League have taken several precautions to make this time not only very enjoyable for your child but also a safe environment for all visiting the complex. Please continue reading the below and we want to thank each of you for your continued understanding and support towards the children in Manchester Little League.
Some of the precautions we have taken are listed below.
- For this coming season, there will be no parents or teenagers needed in the snack stand.We will have limited stand managers in the concession to properly social distance in there.
- For the upcoming couple weeks, players/teams in the dugouts will be prohibited.Coaches have been instructed to use the ball field open areas to talk to their players and instruct.We also are requesting our coaches to split their teams into smaller groups to run basic fundaments baseball drills throughout the field.Such as, running drills, fielding drills, throwing drills, hitting drills, pitching drills, etc.
- For Tball and CP, we should be scheduling practices to be no more then 45 – 60 minutes long.Keep it fun for the kids.For the upper divisions, Minors, Majors, Juniors & Senior, keep practices moving along and schedule them to be 60-90 minutes long.
- During practices, coach masks must be worn IF social distancing is not available, we ask that coaches have one on hand at all times.
- During games, umpires are to wear a mask IF calling the game behind the plate.If stationed behind the pitcher then no mask it required.
- During pregame discussion at home plate, umpires and coaches shall wear a mask as they normally are with a couple feet of each other.
- If a coach is to visit the pitchers mound during a game, we require that coach to wear their mask during that discussion.
- There shall be no sharing of equipment between players, helmets, hats, bats, gloves, etc.Parents shall make sure their child is equipped with the proper gear they need.
- We need to enforce Parents and spectators to stay with their own kids and not interact with other kids.Parents and spectators shall remain in the outfield areas of the fields during practices and games.The field bleachers shall not be used by parents and spectators.We ask that you remain in the outfield areas.If you need to use the restrooms or go to the concession stand, we ask for you please social distance during those times.
- Each field will have two automatic hand sanitizers installed for coach and player use.These units will be refilled and cleaned and sanitized each night.Bathrooms will also have a hand sanitizers and rest assured that the bathrooms will be professionally cleaned and sterilized each night.
- We ask that parents also supply your child with enough water to get through a practice and/or game. It would also be a good idea to supply your child with their own small hand sanitizer tubes for use.
- The league will have a few external type no contact forehead thermometers on the complex if needed at any time.If your child or you do not feel well or have a fever or cough, we ask that you stay home.Please get in the habit of taking your child’s temperature before you leave your house to come to the complex.
- There shall be no handshaking before or after games.No hi-fives, lets just tip our cap.
- Please for the next few weeks, lets all do our very best to social distance when on the complex.
We expect additional information coming out over the next few weeks from the State of NJ and we will certainly follow any new guidelines that are set forth for youth sports outdoors. As we get new information, we will pass it along to all of you. I would like to thank each of you for your patience and understanding and truly appreciate your ongoing support towards the children of Manchester Little League.
Thank you,
Rich Zingaro
Manchester Little League President
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Little League Best Practice Guide - June 8, 2020
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Thursday, June 11, 2020 - 5:15pm
Hello MLL families,
Manchester Little League is reaching out to let you know that all little leagues in Ocean County have been approved by Little League International and the state of New Jersey to begin outdoor social distancing practicing starting on June 22.
We will be following all local and state guidelines during these outdoor fun filled practices. Social distancing will be followed on and off the field, the league will have various hand sanitizing stations throughout the complex and on the fields. Bathrooms will be cleaned and sanitized each night of the week. Any indoor practicing in the ITF will not be scheduled and the ITF will continue to be closed until further notice. During practicing with your teams, face coverings and masks are optional at this time because we will all continue to practice social distancing until further notice.
Our website will have additional information for all of you to access. We will be meeting with all the coaches in the league next week to discuss practice plans and social distancing not only for coaches and players but for all parents and spectators too.
Coaches will be instructed to keep all players spread out, no dugout use for all the players as a team. Parents and spectators are asked to social distance out in the outfield during their teams practice. For the time being, no hanging out near the field bleachers, or near the dugout entrances for any parents or spectators. This may change during the season, but for now this is how we will begin practicing during the week of June 22.
Depending on each division, games for players on the big field (13-16 yr olds) should start the week of July 6 and teams in the younger divisions (4-12 yr olds) will begin the week of July 13. Please understand, this is the plan as of today, it could change but come June 22nd, our boys and girls will have the opportunity to get out onto the fields and have some fun with their coaches and team-mates.
In T-ball and coach pitch divisions, we will schedule practices and games to be anywhere from 45 minutes to one hour long for the start of the season. We will keep the practices short and fun. Parents, bring lots of water for your children. We do plan on having the concession stand open when we start practicing with limited food, snacks and drinks.
We expect additional information coming out over the next week from the State of NJ and we will certainly follow any new guidelines that are set forth for youth sports outdoors. As we get new information, we will pass it along to all of you. I would like to thank each of you for your patience and understanding and truly appreciate your ongoing support towards the children of Manchester Little League.
Thank you,
Rich Zingaro - Manchester Little League President
Gary Cafara – Executive VP & Chief Player Agent
Ray Betts – VP of Grounds
Mitch Kutchens – Player/Coach Development
Dean Renzi – Safety Officer
Beth McKay – Director of Concessions
Bill Garrabrants – Comptroller
Mike Censoplano – Treasurer
Jake Marciano – Secretary
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Mon, April 13th, 12:52 PM
Hello Manchester Little League Parents & Coaches,
I hope this email finds all of you along with your families healthy and staying safe. I just wanted to reach out and keep in touch. Please allow me to provide you all with the latest updated information from Williamsport as it relates to the 2020 Little League season.
This COVID-19 pandemic is obviously much bigger than Little League and is rapidly changing the way that we; think, act, gather, learn, and live our daily lives. And, yes, that also means how we play Little League. With the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), last month the Little League International Board of Directors has advised all of its local Little League programs to delay their Little League seasons through no earlier than Monday, May 11.
As we know, this is the heart of the traditional Little League season, and we share in this disappointment that many are feeling surrounding this pause in the 2020 season. However, it is our hope that by doing this, we will all play a small, but important part in flattening the curve in the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Little League Headquarters will continue to consult with appropriate medical advisors, government health officials and our volunteer leaders around the world, and we are committed to doing the best we can for the safety and well-being of our players, families, volunteers, and fans. As this situation evolves, Little League is committed to sharing the best guidance possible for all of the 6,500 leagues in more than 84 countries. It is our sincere hope that we will find ways to bring everyone back to the Little League fields this season, whether that’s later this spring or throughout the summer.
Our league will continue to prepare for a fun and exciting Spring/Summer Season to ensure that we are 100% ready. This includes our commitment to maintaining the quality of our fields, grounds, buildings, and securing the equipment and uniforms needed to begin the season as soon as the pause is lifted. We will take all precautions set forth by the CDC and Little League Headquarters prior to the start of our season. Thank you all very much for your patience and please continue to stay safe and try to enjoy this time with your family.
As additional information becomes available, we will be sure to pass it along.
Thank you,
Rich Zingaro
Manchester Little League President
MLL Executive Board
Gary Cafara – Executive VP & Chief Player Agent
Ray Betts – VP of Grounds
Mitch Kutchens – Player/Coach Development
Dean Renzi – Safety Officer
Beth McKay – Director of Concessions
Bill Garrabrants – Comptroller
Mike Censoplano - Treasurer
Jake Marciano – Secretary
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Tues, March 17, 6:32 AM
Hello Manchester Little League Members
Little League International has revised their position and are strongly advising that all local Little League programs delay their season to start on Monday, May 11, 2020, (https://www.littleleague.org/player-safety/coronavirus-update/). Manchester Little League and District 18 will be complying with this recommendation. We recognize that this "pause" effects the heart of the traditional Little League season. We will be playing ball soon. Our league will continue to prepare for a fun and exciting Spring Season to ensure that we are 100% ready. This includes our commitment to maintaining the quality of our fields, grounds, buildings, and securing the equipment and uniforms needed to begin the season as soon as the pause is lifted.
As the situation evolves, Little League International is committed to sharing the best guidance possible for all its 6500 leagues in more than 84 countries.
Currently, Little League International is working through all possible scenarios for the 2020 Little League International Tournament and tournament eligibility for leagues and players in each of the various divisions of play.
As additional information becomes available, we will be sure to pass it along.
Thank you,
Rich Zingaro
Manchester Little League President
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Fri, March 13, 2:22 PM
Coaches and Parents,
To follow up the email from yesterday and to give you more updates. First of all we want to say this was not an easy decision but we do feel it is in the best interest of our volunteers and participant families to follow the Little League recommendation at this time and suspend ALL activities along with the decision to shut down the complex until April 6th.
So with the information we have at this point, our TENTATIVE schedule as of today March 13th is:
Thursday March 12th – Suspend ALL Baseball activities until April 6th
Monday April 6th – Open Complex and Resume Baseball Activities
Thursday April 16th – Safety Meeting at 6:30pm in the ITF
Saturday April 18th – Start Games for all Divisions
Saturday April 25th – Opening Day Ceremonies and Picture Day
We appreciate your understanding in these difficult and unprecedented times. And just to reiterate this is a tentative schedule and could change as more information becomes available.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you!
Manchester Little League
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Thu, Mar 12, 9:21 PM
Coaches and Parents,
Some of you may have already seen an email that was sent out earlier today, but if not Little League announced that they are recommending Leagues suspend ALL activities until April 6th. https://www.littleleague.org/player-safety/coronavirus-update/
With this information the Manchester Little League Executive Board has decided to follow the recommendation and suspend ALL actives until April 6th. So Opening Day will be pushed back and is now tentatively scheduled for April 18th, all team and league activities are suspended until April 6th at this time. Also, the Manchester Little Complex is SHUTDOWN for all Baseball activities, this includes all team practices or league meetings, again until April 6th.
We understand that this is a disappointment but feel that it is in the best interest of our volunteers and participant families to follow the Little League recommendation at this time. Also know that we will do everything we can to keep everyone updated with more information as it becomes available.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you!
Manchester Little League
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Thu, Mar 12, 7:18 AM
Hello,
With the news of the increasing spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we wanted to inform you that we are taking this situation seriously.
Manchester Little League (MLL) is monitoring the situation and we are advising all our members to follow the guidelines set by the World
Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the state’s public health department, and other county and/or local
authorities including area school districts and government agencies.
We encourage all those that are actively participating in our Little League season – including players, volunteers, families, and fans – to
follow the best practices as outlined by the CDC, which include washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (if
soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer); avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; and
avoid close contact with people who are sick. Instead of shaki
ng hands, we suggest a tip of the cap or standard "good game" greeting.
Additionally, if you or your child are ill; have a fever, cough, or respiratory condition; have a compromised immune system; are in any
other group that may be at an increased risk of contracting a virus like the coronavirus; or have recently traveled to a country listed on
the CDC’s Risk Assessment by Country, we encourage you or your child to notify your manager/player agent and refrain from Little
League-related activities until cleared by your healthcare provider. MLL asks parents to make sure to label all their children's water
bottles, hats, gloves, bats etc. We are also asking parents and coaches to take measures to disinfect any shared equipment.
At this point, MLL will look to follow guidance offered by Little League International and comply with the appropriate county and/or
local authorities regarding recommendations on how to proceed with recreational and sporting activities in group environments.
We will communicate any changes and updates as they are available.
Thank you,
Rich Zingaro
President - Manchester Little League