Covid-19 Return to Play Guidelines

  • The League will follow all Government Health Regulations and mandates this includes Provincial, City and Municipal Restrictions – all Laws and Bylaw’s must be adhered to all times.
  • The League will be a Contactless League Organization for 2020.
  • All league fees are to be sent electronically to greghale@rogers.com
  • Winning Team must update scores online in clubhouse at www.hammertimehale.ca
  • Standings will be available at www.hammertimehale.ca
  • Both Teams must record attendance of who played in the game online at www.hammertimehale.ca for playoff eligibility and for contact tracing.
  • All Players before they step on the field must complete the updated 2020 online waiver form on SPN Website at www.slo-pitch.com
  • All league Communication should be directed to: greghale@rogers.com
  • For Rain line and Field updates – call (416) 833-4806
  • Team packages (rulebooks, scorebooks) and 6 brand new balls will be handed out to Teams by Umpire at their First Game.
  • All league information and rules are on the League website at: www.hammertimehale.ca
  • It is coaches or designated player duty to make sure that no player on his Team come to the park if they are ill or show any symptoms of Covid-19 or have been around someone ill with Covid-19.
  • It is coaches or designated player duty to make sure that no player on his Team come to the park if they have been out of the country or suffered Covid-19 and have not quarantined for 14 days.
  • It is coaches or designated player duty to bring hand sanitizer available for players and Lysol wipes, towels to clean and disinfect dugout before the game if needed and to wipe handles in between use of shared bats or equipment..
  • It is coaches or designated player duty to bring a first aid kit and have available in dugout in case a player gets injured.
  • It is coaches duty to let League know if any of his players tested positive for Covid-19 and played a game in the last 14 days, for contact tracing.
  • Anyone who becomes ill while playing should go home immediately, in a private vehicle if possible, and self-isolate and review City of Toronto website for more information about Covid-19.
  • We recommend that a player 60 years or older or those with weakened immunity or underlying health conditions do not play. If they do we strongly recommend they wear a mask, face covering or face shield.
  • The use of a mask, face covering or face shield is recommended but not mandatory.
  • The use of batting gloves while up to bat is strongly recommended.
  • The use of individual bats are recommended, if a player not in your social bubble uses your bat we recommend that handle is wiped and sanitized in between uses.
  • If on deck batter picks up a bat we recommend he picks it up by the barrel. Umpires, catchers or any opposing player is not allowed to touch offensive teams bats.
  • No spitting, no chewing tobacco, no bubble gum, no sunflower seeds, peanuts etc.. allowed by any player on the playing surface.
  • Players should not share food or water in the dugout or anywhere in the playing area.
  • Players should wash hands often or use antibacterial hand sanitizer often. Players should also avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Each team is to use their own set of balls when playing defence to minimize the number of people who touch the ball. League will supply new balls to Team Reps, Teams must supply back up balls (Worth Hot Dot).
  • If a random kid or person throws in ball that went out of play. One of the Teams or umpire will disinfect and wipe off ball before it is thrown back in play.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or into your elbow when coughing or sneezing. Tissues must immediately be thrown in the garbage.
  • After game is over Teams must clear out all garbage and throw out in garbage or recycle bin.
  • All Players must leave immediately after the Game. There will be absolutely no congregating at parks, facilities or parking areas before or after the game. NO TOLERANCE. STRICTLY ENFORCED.
  • Teams must arrive no more than 15 minutes before start time and keep a good distance away from other Teams and keep 6 feet distance from own players.
  • No exchanging of line-up cards this year. Umpire and 2 coaches will get together before the game (6 feet apart) and go over line-ups and rules. Line-ups must be listed in Scorebook with first and last names and later recorded on website.
  • There will be no contact, no handshakes, fist pumps or high fiving to any player not in your social bubble. No Team huddles before or after the game. No Coaches or player conferences. Elbow bumps are fine.
  • There will be no batting practice, no warming up or practicing on the diamond. Players can warm before the game by playing catch in the outfield as long as they are 6 feet apart.
  • 1st and 3rd base coaches must stand 6 feet away from players at all times. Catchers and other players must stand 6 feet away from batter, base runners and umpire until ball is hit.
  • Teams will have batter, on deck batter and 2 coaches. Rest of players must social distance 6 feet in dugouts or use benches behind dugouts or stand behind fence and remain 6 feet away unless in social bubble.
  • It is recommended that you have no or limited fans. Fans must social distance in stands. We highly recommend if possible that you have no children, fans 60 and over or fans with underlying health conditions.
  • Zero tolerance on any deliberate physical contact or for any player who goes within 6 feet of a player or umpire to argue a call or start a verbal argument. Automatic ejection and possible suspension.
  • If a player is out they must slide or give them self up, no physical contact will be allowed. Player will be called out and possibly ejected and suspended. Incidental contact will be allowed.
  • Un-prolonged or in-deliberate or Incidental contact is allowed. So tagging, sliding and diving will be allowed.
  • When going out to take the field or coming into the dugout after the end of the inning, the defensive Team must make sure to stay 6 feet away from players unless in social bubble.
  • When the Home Team puts in the bases at the beginning of the game, make sure all players and umpire stay 6 feet away from them. When they return hammer to umpire, both the player and umpire should sanitize hands.
  • At the end of the game when the Home Team returns bases to the umpire, all players should put the bases off to the side and keep 6 feet away from umpire. Players and Umpire should sanitize hands afterwards.

TEAMS OR PLAYERS WHO DO NOT ADHERE TO THE SUGGESTIONS PUT FORTH BY LEAGUE ORGANIZERS RISK BEING REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE. PLAYERS AND TEAMS REMOVED FROM THE LEAGUE DUE TO NON-COMPLIANCE WITH COVID -19 GUIDELNES SHALL NOT RECEIVE A REFUND OF ANY KIND.