By Sam Cortes, Communications Coordinator
Spring is here and that means Baseball in Manitoba is getting ready for its second season in a new normal.
“The baseball community as a whole I think is really excited to get things going and can’t wait for the kids to have the opportunity to play organized sport,” said Jason Miller, Baseball Manitoba Executive Director and baseball coach.
Back In the Game
It can be intimidating to get back into a sport after some time off. Whether it’s adjusting from home activities to a team atmosphere, or just heading into a new environment and adapting to changes.
But it can also be incredibly rewarding to safely return to a sport you love. Or, to try something new.
For baseball, it gives kids the opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise, connect and work with their teammates toward a common goal, and have fun.
“Just thinking about being out on the field coaching and seeing the smiles on the kids faces is super exciting,” said Jason.
Baseball Manitoba registration is still open. To find out more, visit their website: https://www.baseballmanitoba.ca/how-to-register
Return to Play Protocols: What Can You Expect?
First and foremost, getting a season going revolves around ensuring the health and safety of participants. Baseball Manitoba has the advantage of implementing Return to Play protocols once already last year.
“We were able to get, albeit late, a season going in 2020,” said Jason. “We had a season in July and August, when we typically are more May through July.”
Using last year’s Return to Play plan as a starting point, they’ve been adapting to the 2021 environment and modifying based on new restrictions.
Of course, all the fundamentals will still be enforced. This means physical distancing, sanitizing hands and minimizing shared equipment, to name a few.
“The baseball is a contact point for people,” said Jason. “So, we limit that by having the defensive team supply the game ball and the umpires are no longer touching the baseball, unless they need to inspect it for its validity,” said Jason.
This way, only the defensive team touches the ball. The offensive team, coaches, batters and runners never touch the ball.
“That’s something new that we tried last year and that evolved last year into something that we know can work.”
Jason said coaches manage what’s going on in the field as much as they can. But each team will also have a health and safety coordinator to look at the overall park. If need be, they are there to remind participants and spectators of the rules.
As for what’s new this year, masks will be addressed in the new plan, including when and where they will be used.
“We’re just adjusting what that really looks like,” said Jason. “We feel like with dugouts and people in close proximity, like umpires, that masks will be a part of our plan in some form.”
However, Jason said this will be evolving over the next few weeks and into the season when and if there’s new health orders.
Baseball Manitoba is also developing a Return to Play video that will be coming out on YouTube soon to further provide an understanding of what baseball will look like in 2021.
Safe Events & Programs
These days, many events and programs require flexibility and adaptability and there is certainly lots to be determined due to COVID-19. While postponements and cancellations are possible to keep Manitobans safe, the planning will continue in hopes they can run safely.
For Baseball Manitoba, they’re looking forward to Baseball Day and a coach symposium with the Winnipeg Goldeyes and their annual camps with the Toronto Blue Jays.
At the coach symposium, local coaches go to Shaw Park on a game day. There, they get to connect with head coaching staff at the Goldeyes and watch the batting practice for both teams.
“Then we go to a sky suite to enjoy the ball game,” said Jason. “It’s to celebrate our coaches and to give them something, and connect them to the Goldeyes a little bit, to some professional baseball.”
Plus, hosting provincial championships is an experience they’re hoping will return this year, although it may run differently.
“We’re so excited for provincial championships to happen again. We didn’t get to host any in 2020. We have a committee together that’s looking at all sorts of options, so hopefully we get to run them all. Or, we have to modify each of them to run them in different areas to keep the numbers down.”
Important Reminders for the Sport Community
“As exciting as it is to get back on the field, we have to remember to be diligent about safety protocols,” said Jason. “If there’s signs up at the park, make sure we’re adhering to those rules. We want the season to start. But we also want the season to finish at the time that it’s supposed to finish, and that all comes down to people’s individual choices.”
Jason said something that he believes is really important, and something that he’s already seeing, is patience and understanding in the community.
He said administrators are doing their best to follow the rules and make a safe and fun environment for players and coaches.
“Be patient and understanding, and we’ll get through it together.”
Register, Follow & Learn More
Stay up to date with registration, Return to Play protocols, news and events on Baseball Manitoba’s website and social media channels: Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
