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, this past yea has 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 how we plan to return play this year. 

Our FIRST priority is to the health of the families in our Community. 

South Highline American Little League's goal is to provide our players the opportunity to practice and play baseball and for our league’s families to return to our Little League community. SHALL’s primary concerns are the health and safety of all participants. SHALL will follow guidelines from Public Health and the Governor’s Office when we return to play. All league participants - players, managers, assistant coaches, team volunteers, and family members will assume some risk in all baseball activities. 

Key information for SHALL participants per the most recent guidelines:

- Baseball and softball are considered moderate risk sports.
- Low and moderate risk sports are now allowed intra-team competitions and are not restricted to groups of six. No practice, training or competitions with other teams allowed.
- Facial coverings required for all coaches, volunteers and athletes at all times.
- Sporting activities are only allowed outdoors.
- Six feet of distance must be maintained among athletes when not engaged in sporting activities, huddles and team meetings must be physically distanced.
- No spectators allowed except for one parent/guardian/caregiver for each minor-aged participant allowed. Spectators must maintain physical distance of at least six (6) feet between each person and wear facial coverings at all times.
- Stay home when sick or if a close contact of someone with COVID-19
- All coaches and students should be screened for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 prior to a workout. Screening should consider symptoms listed by the CDC.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after practice, especially after touching shared objects or blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Keep a roster of every athlete, staff and volunteer present at each practice, training session, and contest to assist with contact tracing in the event of a possible exposure. Similarly keep a roster and seating chart for each travel group.
- Attendance rosters and seating charts must be kept on file for 28 days after the practice, contest, or trip.

SHALL recommends that players should not share equipment such as bats, gloves, helmets, and catching gear. Coaches are to ensure to wipe down the gear with disinfectant between practices/games and team catching gear between uses

Brian Lloyd
President
South Highline American Little League
www.shall-littleleague.org

Spring 2021 registration fees are as follows:

Q. I'm not sure what level (T-Ball, coach pitch, majors/minors, 50/70, etc.) I should sign my child(ren) up for -- what should I do?

A. No problem. This is why have assessments. Just sign him/her up for one of the divisions and we will work with you to find out which division best suits his/her abilities, subject to little league rules.

Q. I'm interested in signing my son or daughter up for little league. When and where are practices and games?

A. Each individual coach has authority to set his/her own practice schedule after draft day. Depending on what level your child plays, practices could be held 1-3 times per week during weeks in which there is no game and less often when games begin in April. Because game schedules (including opponents, dates and fields) are determined in cooperation with other area little leagues, game schedules are generally not available until later in March. Please see our fields link for a listing of possible fields where practices and games may occur.

Q. I keep hearing about my child's "league age." What is it?

A. "League age" refers to the classification system for determination of a youngster's age developed by Little League International. For example, although your child may actually and chronologically be age 8, Little League may consider him/her "league age" to be 9 (making him/her eligible for 9/10 tournament at the end of the regular season.) To find out your child's league age, click here.

Q. Here's a random question: Can my child use his or her bat during games?

A. Spending hundreds of dollars on a bat only to find out that it may not be used in a game is one of the more frustrating things a parent can experience. Please check this list before making the decision to invest your hard-earned money on a new or used bat. Please remember that our coaches have several league-approved bats on hand, so you may not need to purchase one anyway. We do, however, strongly encourage parents to purchase a separate batting helmet for their child(ren).

Have another question not answered above? Please contact us.