Louisa, Ky — The Lawrence Co. Cal Ripken league has yet to kickoff but they got some clarity as Youth sports will be able to resume small-group practices on June 15 with strict restrictions, while scrimmages and games will be phased in beginning June 29, according to guidelines announced during Gov. Andy Beshear’s daily coronavirus update session on Friday.
As of Saturday morning the local league hasn’t made a decision if they will play this year or not.
Those practices can involve groups of 10 players or fewer with a limit of one coach per group so long as the players maintain social distancing guidelines and involve no competition like scrimmages, the guidelines state. What types of activities can be done at practices depends on what type of sport is involved.
“Practices are limited to socially distanced, no touch, low sharing, skills training, unless necessary to protect the health or safety of a youth participant,” the guidance states. “Multiple groups may practice but must adhere to the social distancing guidelines … . Any individual not essential for the conduct of these practices should not attend.”
The guidance also prescribes social distancing and cleaning and disinfecting requirements and calls for health screening of coaches, officials, staff and youth athletes “safely and respectfully to the greatest extent practicable” using examples from the CDC’s guidelines for child care programs and businesses.
In addition, the guidance classifies several sports as follows:
* Low touch, outdoor youth sports and activities: track and field, biking, tennis, golf, mini-golf, horseback riding, cross country, and baseball/softball/teeball.
* Low touch, indoor youth sports and athletic activities: gymnastics, swimming, diving, bowling, solo-dance/solo-ballet, tap-dance, and archery.
* High touch, indoor youth sports and athletic activities: karate/martial arts, basketball, cheerleading, tandem or team dance, ice hockey, volleyball, fencing and wrestling
* High touch, outdoor youth sports and athletic activities: football, soccer, lacrosse, flag football and field hockey.
The state will allow low touch indoor and outdoor activities — the groups including baseball and swimming — to begin having competitions on June 29 with up to 50 spectators. However, travel outside the “local community” for scrimmages, games or tournaments remain prohibited under these rules, a measure that will impact club and all-star teams.
