MILFORD — Play ball!
Those words so many have longed to hear all spring finally will ring out.
Yes, youth baseball and softball games will return to the playing fields beginning July 1.
Milford Little League and Junior Major Leagues will play shortened seasons with guidelines in place to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Games for the Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth Divisions in the JML will be starting July 1.
MLL will begin playing games July 6, with Aug. 29 the final day of the season. There will be no standings or city playoffs.
“We are fortunate to have great families that send their players to us,” said Mike Liebelt, president of MLL. “We will field 56 teams from ages 4 to 13 years old. This summer, some have chosen because of the pandemic to take a step back, but others are either returning to baseball or trying Little League for the first time.”
Junior Major, a local affiliate of Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth and PONY Baseball organizations, will begin play July 2.
“My Rookie League team plays Thursday and I know Minors start Thursday as well behind the library,” JML Vice President Chris Smithauser said. “It is good to get out and coach the kids. We know all the guidelines to keep everyone safe. Even the younger kids are doing a good job, although we must instill it with them every time.”
Junior Major League Inc. was established in 1955 and incorporated in 1958.
“Everything has been checked off,” Smithauser said. “We are going to do our best to let the players play, be safe, and have fun. Parents are happy to get the kids back out. We’re looking to run through the fall season as well. There are talks of wanting to have states, but there is nothing definitive. It is great to safely play ball again.”
MLL coaches in the various divisions met safely prior to the June 17 Phase 2 reopening date set by Gov. Ned Lamont. Teams were drafted.
“Game play will be casual, with a strong focus on learning and allowing players to experience all positions,” Liebelt said. “The city of Milford is a great baseball town supporting two leagues, not only Milford Little League but Cal Ripken as well. They take care of fields at schools for practices.”
The Pirates from the MLL Farm Division (ages 9-10) held practice at Ralph Clarkson Field on Saturday.
“The kids are enjoying it. They are excited to be back on the field,” manager Pat Fallon said.
“We know all the guidelines and are ready to roll. For the kids it is business as usual, just starting the season laterm,” Fallon said. “We draft new kids each year. My coaches Mayur (Doshi), Al (DiStasi) and I are just getting to know them. We’ve had one other practice and hit in the batting cage once. We are looking forward to a new season.”
District 4 Play
District Administrator Denis Haley said that for baseball and softball, 8-10 and 9-11 All-Stars will be at the district level starting the week of Sept. 1 and ending by Oct. 4. Baseball and softball 10-12 All-Stars will go through a state championship beginning Aug. 30 or Sept. 1 and there will be no play on Labor Day weekend, he said. Sections will start Sept. 9, state championship weekend is Oct. 1-4. There will be no Junior Regional tournament, he said.
Mll Rule Book
T-Ball: There will be one game a week and all games will be held on Saturday mornings with possibly one practice per week.
Coach Pitch: Players in this division can expect up to two games a week with at least one practice and/or batting practice a week.
Farms: Players in this division can expect two games a week with at least one practice and one batting practice a week.
Majors: Players in this division can expect two games a week with at least one practice and one batting practice a week.
Intermediate/Juniors: Players in this division can expect multiple games a week and possibly double-headers on weekends with practices and batting practices on off days.
All Stars: Milford Little League is working with CT District 4 to explore all All-Star Team opportunities for players. This will likely include District play at the 10U, 11U and 12U levels. This may also include play beyond the district up to the state championship level for 12U only. CT District 4, as always, will likely also hold its Seabreeze tournament for the 8U, 10U, 11U and 12U levels.
Also, all coaches, umpires and other volunteers who interact with players on the field during practices and games must wear face coverings when not able to easily maintain a 6-foot distance from other coaches, players and umpires. Gloves shall be worn if handling shared player equipment, players equipment or cleaning apparatus/materials.
All players must bring their own bat, glove and helmet. The exception is a shared catcher’s equipment, which will be disinfected between use.
Players are not permitted to huddle at any time during practices or games. There is no spitting, sunflower seed eating or no gum chewing, there will be no team snacks and players should bring their own water. No handshakes, high-fives or physical body contact is allowed. It is recommended that parents send players with some form of hand sanitizer during practices and games. Hand sanitizer will be provided in common areas.
Players are not required to use face covering during play but can wear it at parent/player preference. Players shall wear a face covering when not on the field of play or engaged in practice.
All coaches, volunteers and umpires must complete a daily health self-screening to check for symptoms. If any symptoms are present the individual must refrain from being present for league activities and follow local health guidelines.
All balls (game balls and practice balls) shall be disinfected before and after each practice or game. Each team shall have a new volunteer role assigned to a parent to monitor compliance with these guidelines during practices and games.
Games will be scheduled with at least a 30-minute buffer to prevent overlap of participants and allow time to clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces and equipment.
Also: Dugouts are to be used only by coaches and players who are next to bat; players otherwise will sit on the bleachers outside the field or in in a player-supplied chair and it is important for coaches to ensure bleachers are marked for 6-foot distances or players’ chairs are placed at 6-foot distances when not on the field of play. Dugouts are to be thoroughly cleaned before and after each use.
One umpire per game will be used and will be positioned appropriately distanced behind the mound.
No catchers will be used for the T-Ball Division or the Coach Pitch Division. A coach will be positioned against the backstop to retrieve baseballs or move bats to safe area after an at-bat.
Game spectators are required to bring and wear face coverings that completely cover the nose and mouth unless doing so would be contrary to his or her safety due to health condition. Spectators must maintain 6-foot social distancing at all times.
All commonly used surfaces such as, but not limited to, dugout areas, benches, bleachers, door handles to concession areas, field houses and concession area counter tops will be disinfected/sanitized before and after events by coaches/volunteers. Bathrooms will be sanitized/disinfected before and after each game.
william.bloxsom@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @blox354
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