With the news of the guidelines for a return to play for baseball and softball being released Monday, Lincoln Babe Ruth Baseball Commissioner Jim Hansen already had a plan in place.
“We’ve been talking with the city and parks and rec. I’m confident in what we put together,” said Hansen.
Hansen told KLIN they are planning a phased approach when practices begin June 1. That first week will be coaches introducing players to how things are going to look for practices going forward. Beginning June 10, teams will have “controlled practices”, where teams will have someone from the league on hand to further reiterate the guidelines for how games will look from social distancing in and around the dugouts to how postgame will go.
“We’re gonna have to create a new normal for youth sports,” said Hansen.
Games will begin June 18. Hansen said they are taking registrations at lincolnbaberuthbaseball.com up until that date. And for anyone that has already registered but is still wary of being in close contact with others?
“This is the new thing for everybody. How are we gonna make it look? How are we gonna keep it safe? We’re all in this together,” said Hansen. “And if someone doesn’t feel comfortable playing this summer, they will get a full refund and we hope to see them next year.”
The league is hoping each team can play 16 to 18 games through July 23, then hold a two-game tournament July 24 and 25. Each team will be placed into four team brackets for that final weekend.
With the new guidelines, and shorter season, Hansen said they won’t make up any rain outs and they’ll continue to not play on Independence Day Weekend. He also anticipates learning as the season progresses.
“Until we start playing, we’re not going to know a lot of things so we’re doing what we can and then going from there,” said Hansen.
The league uses a pair of city parks for the league: Sawyer Snell and Densmore. Hansen said from conversations with Lincoln Parks and Recreation, they aren’t anticipating any hold ups on facilities being available. While Densmore is more confined for patrons, Hansen calls Sawyer Snell the “perfect COVID facility,” where parents can stay in their vehicles and watch with plenty of space.
Hansen also agreed with Nebraska Education Commissioner Matthew Blomstedt that all eyes will be on how these leagues function over the summer.
“I think this is a stepping stone for how high school sports will work in the fall,” said Hansen. “How we treat the players and the games, I think, is how it will look in the fall.”