From: Gary Corbett, President, Softball NL

Date: June 12, 2020

Re: Softball NL – COVID-19 Notice

Dear Softball NL Members

Over the past number of months, your Board and Executive Director for Softball NL have been working diligently in consultation with Softball Canada, Sport NL and other Provincial Sports Organizations to develop for this summer a Return to Play (RTP) Document for Softball programs throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. 2020 is looking different on a variety of levels and that includes sports programs.

Under the guidance of Sport NL, Softball NL has submitted our document to the Provincial Government and essentially, we have been given direction to go ahead and facilitate the delivery of our RTP programs. Obviously, this must be in compliance within the current directives and parameters as set out by our Chief Medical Officer, as well as the Provincial Department of Health along with the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development (Responsible for Sport).

As we present our Return to Play document, we anticipate that you will need to consult and work with your municipality to ensure the softball field will be available. Currently, softball fields remain closed and will be until such time that the municipality deems them ready, as per COVID-19 and Return to Play restrictions.

As of June 8, 2020, our Province is now in Alert Level 3 and Softball NL has lifted the suspension on all Softball NL Sanctioned Programs/Activities. You will notice in our RTP document that during this phase, Softball NL is recommending that minor players practice their skills within in their own family bubble environment. As we move into Alert Level 2 (anticipating late June – early July), Softball NL is recommending that minor players/programs participate in Practice (ONLY) and Skill Development at the municipally operated softball field. Proper public health directives must be followed, and facility preparation completed as per Government directives. A decision on Competition for Minor will be made once Level 2 restrictions are known and can be integrated within the Return to Play document.

As for Adult softball, the Board is recommending Practice ONLY for the current Level 3 restrictions and to proceed to Competition once and only if Level 2 Alert restrictions permit.

This spring we felt that there would be little chance for softball participation. Due to everyone’s commitment to health and safety, we are now able to offer programs in 2020. No doubt, softball will look different, but we are excited to be in this position and I would encourage everyone to continue to follow best practices.

We will provide further information as soon as we know the specifics of the Level 2 guiding documents.

On behalf of the Board for Softball NL, I would like to thank each of you for your continued patience and support.

Yours in Softball

Gary Corbett
President, Softball NL