Perfect Game COVID-19 Event Guidelines

Perfect Game has always shared a consistent message based on the health and safety of the players, parents, staff and everyone associated with our events. With the recent Pandemic affecting our country and those we love, this has become even more true.  While we are just as eager as everyone else to get back to normal life – holding events, watching and following players – it is incumbent that we follow CDC, State and Local guidelines for reopening.  As we all have been able to spend precious time with our immediate family over the past few weeks, we know that your baseball and softball families have been excited to get back together as well.  Part of reopening is making sure that our community partners where we play, are prepared to host local citizens and potential visitors safely, as part of any event.  We will be following guidelines outlined by the CDC, state and/or local health and medical professionals that are setting the standards for recovery efforts and to safely hold events in the neighborhoods that we play. As we all go through this together, we will make every effort to share CDC, State and Local information in advance and appreciate your flexibility as things continue to change.  Your understanding during the planning, hosting and post-event phases of our PG Events will help us all during this transition to recovery for our amazing players, coaches, families, staff and communities.   

The information in this document is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content, including text, links and information, are provided for general informational purposes only. The knowledge and circumstances around COVID-19 are changing constantly and, as such, Perfect Game makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of this information. Further, you should seek advice from medical professionals and/or public health officials if you have specific questions about your return to training and competition.

Preparing to Attend PG Events

• All players, coaches, fans, vendors and officials should adhere to the guidelines from the CDC, state, and/or local authorities.

• PG will share recommended guidelines, if any, to individual team representatives in advance of an event to share with players, coaches and families.

• PG will also have a link on www.PerfectGame.org that will provide any updated information. This is no longer a weekly update because we are now playing in most places all over the country. Any information pertaining to an event will be sent to the teams or individuals regarding showcase events. It should also appear on the event page, that can be found on the schedule.

• Adults 65 years and older and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions are strongly encouraged not to attend events at this time.

• Do not come to event if you or any household member is not feeling well.

• Do not come to event if you or any household member has been exposed to a person with COVID-19 within the past 14 days.

• Do not attend event if you are not comfortable with measures being taken at a facility.

• PG recommends players, coaches, fans, and officials bring personal hand sanitizer, masks, chairs, and antibacterial wipes to events for personal use.

• Any tents brought into a complex is restricted to one family only per tent.

• PG may, if necessary, limit the number of total players/teams and adjust playing formats to accommodate CDC, state and/or local guidelines.

• Coaches please make certain all player profiles are updated upon registration for the event.  This will assist with our continued efforts to provide up to date game information. 

Entry to Events

• PG partners with a number of communities where we host events.  Guidelines may be different based on facility requirements and guidelines.

• PG will request our venue partners post health and safety guidelines upon entry into venue(s).
  

• Please be reminded that in 2019, PG has transitioned to a cashless entry event.
  

• Items not allowed into facilities include team coolers (players must have individual drinks clearly labelled with name), sunflower seeds, chewing gum.

• Items players should not share are… helmets, bats, gloves, bags, catcher’s gear, towels, uniforms/clothing, or food/drinks.

• Everyone should follow the recommended social distancing guidelines.

During Events

• Wash hands with soap and water as often as possible. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water not available.

• Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.

• Avoid touching mouth/nose

• Avoid shaking hands or touching

• PG recommends teams to clean and sanitize dugouts and bleachers before and after their game slot.

• Bring your own individual player/coach water as none will be provided in the dugouts.  Use of drinking fountains is strictly prohibited.

Game Rule Adjustments

• Game time limits could be shortened to allow time for cleaning between games.

• Dugouts could be expanded outside of fence, with the safety of the players and coaches in mind and not in foul territory when necessary.  Please follow the state/local guidelines for number of people in the dugout at a time. Only players and coaches allowed in dugouts.

• No contact allowed between players, including handshakes, high fives, hugs, chest bumps.

• Base coaches should maintain 6-foot social distance from players at all times.

• Conversations between coach and umpire must maintain 6-foot distance.

• Teams are asked to clean all trash from dugout prior to leaving facility. If a dugout is not clean on arrival, please notify facility staff before entering.

• Teams must wait until prior team is completely off field and all equipment and trash is removed from dugout before entering.

Most important, teams and individuals need to understand that Perfect Game is bound by the rules in any community we have an event.  These rules can be different depending on the venue.  If interested in the guidelines at any specific event, please check the local rules at that site.  This should be available online in most cases.

Do not expect absolute perfection at any baseball or softball event, including PG events.  The guidelines are basically suggestions and we hope teams and fans abide by them.  However, we legally cannot enforce some of the guidelines.  It is important that everyone understands there is some risk involved and everyone needs to know it is their option to attend or stay home.  If everyone follows the guidelines, we will keep people as safe as possible.