Updated June 6

 

DLL Parents, Players, Sponsors, Volunteers:  we now have a target date to resume on field practices, Monday June 15th.  This is great news and would make ours the first Little League in District 57 to resume play.  For those interested in returning, here is what you can expect.

 

We are still in the midst of a pandemic.  In order to reopen for practices safely, our board developed these protocols based on the latest safety guidance from Contra Costa County and the Town of Danville, as well as the Season Resumption Guide published by Little League.  Understanding the risks and the roles that each player, parent, and volunteer must take are important to us all getting back on the field safely.  Please take the time to review these as a family to help your own decision about whether or not to participate.

 

As I mentioned earlier this week, the major provision in the updated County health order is that recreational activities must focus on consistent or stable groups of 12 of fewer children.  In order to determine which of you plan to return for team practices, we will soon open an online sign up form where you can enroll for the summer season.  Our board determined that we will not charge for summer practices so this process is simply to take attendance and determine how many groups of 12 we should form per age group.  We will use the spring 2020 rosters as a starting point to group children and volunteer coaches, handling exceptions as needed.  Also as part of the sign up, you will be asked to confirm that you have reviewed the league protocols noted above and a revised medical waiver.  As we ramp up to June 15, we ask that those interested sign up by 6pm on Thursday June 11 so we can set the initial groups of 12.  Sign up will remain open for those that want to join later, but we may not be able to place you with your original spring 2020 team.  We will also consider new registrations.  Any player who did not register for spring 2020 but wants to participate this summer, please contact Cyndee Ragan.

 

We anticipate 2-3 team practices per week at Osage Park through the end of July.  We will not schedule on Sundays, nor over 4th of July weekend.  There is no obligation to attend every practice.  Frankly, we see this as a great first step to get the kids outdoors, reestablish their baseball skills and have fun with their peers.  There is no indication yet from the County or Town about when we might be permitted to take the next step toward larger groups or games.

 

Our division directors have already started to reach out to spring 2020 managers and coaches to determine which are available to facilitate team practices.  Thanks to all for your support.  We will have a meeting for any volunteer that intends to participate in team practices next Friday 6/12 to review the protocols, schedule, and answer questions.  Meeting time and logistics will be published Monday.  In the event we need help preparing safety and sanitation materials at Osage Park, we will contact those of you that responded to our April survey indicating a willingness to help us restart.

 

Finally, we resolved the issue with our credit card provider.  Spring refunds are going out now to those that chose that option.

 

We are excited about this first step and getting back on the fields.  I hope to see many of you out there starting on the 15th.

 

Kevin Salmon

510-913-5583