As the Coronavirus continues its presence, various world fraternities including sports are trying to adapt to the Corona world and develop ways via which various sports continue in a conducive manner. To achieve this goal one area of focus is to set new guidelines.
The latest guideline initiative is of WBSC – World Baseball Softball Confederation, which published a set of precautionary measures and recommendations titled “Safe Return to Baseball/Softball — COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines.”
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Developed by the WBSC Medical Commission in accordance with the World Health Organization’s risk assessment tool, the salient features of the recommendations are:
- Avoid sharing of competition equipment. Each player should have his/her own bat, helmet, glove, batting gloves, rosin bags, etc.
- Batters shall retrieve their own bat when possible
- No chewing tobacco, seeds or spitting at any time
- Players (in particular pitchers), shall not lick their fingers
- Umpires shall wear masks and gloves
- If possible, avoid line-up exchange at home plate
- Avoid physical contact, such as shaking hands, high fives, fist bumps, hugging, etc.
- Ball prep (mud rubbing) to be done by one appointed personnel with protective rubber gloves
- Different set of official balls for home and visiting teams while on defense
- Coaches may always approach umpire keeping a minimum distance of two meters
- Home Plate umpire shall avoid coming in contact with catcher
- Minimum physical distance of 1 metre shall always be kept in dugout
- Bases shall be cleaned every half inning
- No bat boys/girls shall be allowed
According to WBSC all baseball/softball entities are being strongly recommended to develop their own documented policies and operating protocols in accordance with the respective government and health authorities.
The detailed “Safe Return to Baseball/Softball — COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines” can be viewed here. Plus the WHO’s “Considerations for sports federations/sports event organizers when planning mass gatherings in the context of COVID-19” is available on the WHO website.
