Updated Guidance on Playing Baseball and Softball in England during COVID-19 - 2 June

BaseballSoftballUK continues to closely follow the UK Government and Sport England’s advice on the lockdown and associated restrictions.

In particular, advice on a return to playing community and grassroots sports continues to evolve and we have this week been in touch with the relevant authorities to review this policy and guidance. Below is a summary, applicable in England only.

Outdoor activity permitted for baseball and softball players and coaches

Official social distancing restrictions remain in place stating you must:

  • Maintain a 2-metre distance at all times with all players and coaches outside of your household

From 1 June 2020, you can now exercise alone, with members of your household, or with up to, but no more than 5 other people from outside your household while keeping 2 metres apart at all times. Gatherings of more than 6 people are not permitted. Physical contact with anyone outside of your household is not permitted.

  1. Sessions including catching, fielding or hitting with other people living in your household are permitted.

  2. Sessions including catching, fielding or hitting with up to, but no more than, five other people are permitted. Physical contact with anyone outside of your household is not permitted.

  3. Under the new social distancing guidelines, which allow up, but no more than six people to gather, parents can take their children to a one-on-one coaching or training session, as long as the gathering does not exceed six. Children under the age of 18 should be supervised by a guardian who is also observing social distancing.

  4. Equipment must be cleaned regularly. If you share bats, clean them with household cleaning products at exchange. Balls may be thrown or fielded, ensuring that you use anti-bacterial gel or wipes and wash your hands well following the session.

  5. Always follow Government advice – a thorough sporting guide to what may and may not be done can be found here (updated 1 June).

Team sports

People who play team sports can now meet to train together and do things like conditioning or fitness sessions but they must be in wholly separate groups of no more than 6 and must remain 2 metres apart at all times. While groups could practice ball skills like passing and kicking, equipment sharing should be kept to a minimum and strong hand hygiene practices should be in place before and after. Physical contact with anyone outside of your household is not permitted, therefore playing of any games (small sided or full) is also not permitted at this time. Avoid meeting in groups of 6 in busy or overcrowded areas, if it is so busy that it is not possible to maintain social distancing at all times.

Note, different policies are in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland where the respective authorities should be consulted.

Please also always consider:

  1. Avoiding unnecessary risks to yourself or others. Injuries requiring medical attention will be detrimental to the efforts to counter COVID-19.

  2. Other outdoor space users.

We will continue to work with the Government and Sport England in order to provide guidance as the Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy moves to the next phase.

Staying game ready

Meanwhile, make the most of the downtime by joining in our #GameReady programme of online skills and activities, Coach Education content and league and club administrative support. Look out for the next session, part two of the Ask A Blue Webinar, on Wednesday 3 June (register here).

Sign up to our mailing lists and keep up-to-date with content and information here:

Find out more about Sport England’s latest guidance, including tips on how to stay fit mentally and physically: www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/coronavirus.

UK Government general advice on COVID-19: www.gov.uk/coronavirus.