Hello Parents, Volunteers, and Players
Programs like South Highline American Little League serve as an escape to everyday challenges and unite communities in an irreplaceable way. For the first time in recent years, we find ourselves without this outlet for our kids. As you all know, these past few weeks have been unlike any we’ve seen before. Daily life has fundamentally changed, as we deal with the health and economic implications of COVID-19. I’m writing today to share updates regarding the Little League season, the thought process of how we, as a board, are working through this time, and what we can hope for now that schools have been closed for the remainder of the school year.
Our FIRST priority is to the health of the families in our Community. We will take our guidance from Public Health King County & Seattle and ONLY play when we no longer have stay at home orders, preventing us from doing so. The current Stay-at-Home order is in place through May 4th, and we are working with the City of SeaTac and Highline schools to have access to our normal fields as soon as this order is lifted.
If we can play ball, we will. The latest guidance from Little League International allows us to begin our season as soon as May 12th, and our hope is that we will be able to start at that time, based on public health guidance. We are hoping that this letter provides some visibility into our decision making process, as you are all part of this community.
While we are planning for, and hoping for the best case scenario of beginning our season on May 12th, we have contingency plans for starting a season as late as Aug 1. Point is, WE ALL WANT TO PLAY!
In regards to paid registrations: As a non-profit, a portion of our costs for the year have already been spent or are in contract (gear, jerseys, field prep material, insurance, draft days, etc.). With many of our sponsors being small businesses in our community, we also likely will not have additional sponsorship funds this season as we have in past years. So our ask of you, for right now, is to give us time. We are not processing refunds right now as we still hope to have a season. We do know many in our community may be experiencing financial hardship or mitigating circumstances so PLEASE reach out to us if that is the case for you- we can and will be able to help via our scholarship program.
IF we are unable to have a season, we will continue to be completely transparent with this community, show you all of the expenses and outline the potential solutions which may or may not include a donation option to the league, refunds, deferral of registration, etc. We have not finalized this part yet as a board because we do need guidance from Little League International on some of the costs that get paid into the larger organization.
Our next update will be the week of May 4th to coincide with any updates from Governor Inslee. Follow us on Facebook or check our website for the most up to date information and fun activities. Stay safe, happy and most importantly healthy
Thank you for continued patience!
Brian Lloyd
President
South Highline American Little League
www.shall-littleleague.org