In an effort to resume Little League Baseball activities while protecting and supporting our player’s health, the following safety measures, including mandatory social distancing, are required.  By coming to HVLL fields, you agree to abide by these requirements and understand that you may be asked to leave HVLL if you refuse.  We cannot with 100% certainty guarantee your family’s or your player’s safety.  Returning to practices and games, when approved by the state, are completely voluntary.  If you are concerned or an at risk individual, please do not come to HVLL facilities.  By entering onto HVLL property, you knowingly and freely assume all such risks, known and unknown, and assume full responsibility for your player(s) and family's participation in Little League Baseball at HVLL.

General Guidelines

• Everyone should monitor their temperature prior to attending any Little League events. No one with a fever, cough, active COVID-19 infection or known direct contact with an individual testing positive for COVID-19 should attend a game or practice until evaluated by a medical provider and given clearance to do so.

• Everyone should maintain social distancing of 6 feet from individuals not residing in their household.

• Everyone on HVLL property must wear a face covering.
  

• Attendance at practices should be limited to managers, coaches, and players.  For Minor C thru Majors divisions, parents should drop off and pick up only.  Once HVLL is approved for games, attendance should be limited to immediate family members in the same household.
  

• Players and families should vacate the field/facility as soon as is reasonably possible after the conclusion of their game and/or practice. Parents should sanitize their and their family’s hands immediately after each game.
  
  
• Player’s equipment should be cleaned and disinfected by a parent or guardian after each day’s use.
  

Field Practice and Game Guidelines

• Practices only, with only one team on the field at a time, until games are approved by the city, county, state.
  

• All managers, coaches, and umpires must wear face coverings when social distancing requirements cannot be met, i.e. in dugouts.  During the game, the 1^st and 3^rd base coach may, at their own discretion and only while in those spots, choose not wear a face covering, as long as social distance protocols are maintained. 

• All managers, coaches, players and umpires should sanitize their hands immediately upon entering the field.
  

• Dugouts should not be used by the players during practices or games.
  

• Players are not required to wear a face covering unless social distancing requirements cannot be met off the field of play.   No physical contact outside the course of the game is allowed (hi-fives etc.).
  

• During games, managers and coaches should be assigned space in the dugout with the players in the bull pen or on the bleachers so that they are at least six feet apart.  Players are to stay at their assigned spots when on the bench or while waiting for their turn to bat.
  

• Equipment sharing should be avoided. Players should have their own batter’s helmet, glove, bat and catcher’s equipment in their own bag which must be stored outside of the dugout.
  

• Baseballs – Each team will use their own baseballs when on defense.
                   – Foul balls landing outside the field of play should not be retrieved by spectators.

• It is recommended that umpires call balls and strikes behind the pitcher’s mound.  Umpires are encouraged to use their own personal equipment.
  

• Only one person, the scorekeeper, is allowed in the score booth during the game.  No exceptions.  Scorekeeper must sanitize score booth after each use and are encouraged to bring their own writing utensils.
  

• Player/families/spectators are instructed not to show up to fields more than 40 minutes before game time.
  

• On field warm-up should be limited and no more than 30 minutes.
  

League Facilities

• Bleachers are closed to everyone but players.  When we are approved for games, parents should bring their own seating or portable chairs. 
  

• The snack bar will remain closed. Families are encouraged to bring their own food/beverages.  No seeds or gum are allowed on the premises.
  

• Restrooms - Only one person is permitted in the restroom at a time. Restroom should be sanitized daily during the week, and at a minimum 2 times each day on weekends.

HVLL reserves the right to change or adjust requirements to conform to future city and state guidelines as conditions change.

Approved by the HVLL Board of Directors on June 15, 2020

As we still have no clear cut parameters or timeline as to when we are allowed to play and/or utilize our fields, there will unfortunately be no HVLL Fall Ball season this year.

A Message from our League President to our HVLL Families

HVLL Spring Season
I’m sorry to report that our spring season is officially over.  Due to all the back and forth with the state over the last 4 months, and the recent decision to shut down youth sports again, the board decided we had no choice but to cancel the remainder of our spring baseball season.  We definitely feel sorry for our players.  There are not that many activities open and during the recent 3 weeks that we were allowed to practice, both parents and players seemed happy to just be on the ball field again.  We’d like to take an opportunity to thank our managers, coaches, and all other volunteers for doing all they could during a most challenging season.  Our VP of Equipment will be reaching out to managers shortly to collect the team equipment and keys.

Fall Ball
At this time, we have no idea if we will be able to offer fall ball.  We will try our best to offer whatever the state allows even if we are only allowed back on the fields for practices.  Registration, which is usually open by now, will not be opened until the state can provide a consistent decision to open and keep open youth sports.

Refunds/Future Credits
Unfortunately, we don’t have the budget to offer refunds this fiscal year.  As a non-profit entity, 100% run by volunteers, we strive to provide the best program we can at the lowest cost that will cover our annual expenses and end the year in a break even position.  As of June 30th, we were operating at a loss for the year as our expenses were more than our registration and fund-raising fees.  Most of our expenses are front-loaded to prepare for the season: uniforms $44k, rebuilding the minor B shed due to water damage $12k, infrastructure improvements in the bull pens and t-ball $10k, insurance and fees to Little League Int’l $13k, baseballs $10k and the list goes on and doesn’t include our largest expense which is field maintenance.  Since the shut down last week, the board has already reached out to a number of vendors to reduce on-going expenses.  If we can minimize some infrastructure costs next year, the board hopes to be able to provide at least a small Covid-19 credit as part of next year’s registration.

Special Note to our 12-year-olds
I would like to once more acknowledge the success of our 12 year olds.  In each of the past 3 years they have battled some very good teams in Southern California and taken home two State Championships and a Section Championship.  This was the year they all looked forward to. Going to Williamsport for the Little League World Championship was a dream of each and every one of those boys.  I know how disappointing this year turned out.  We thank each of those boys for their efforts and commitment to excellence.  We also thank the three coaches that gave so much to the All Star teams and also to the teams they have coached over their extended tenure at HVLL.  Keep battling and good luck in the future. 

Stay Healthy
Until we see you next time on the fields, we hope you and your family remain healthy and safe.

Thank you,

Tim Stone