Dear JCMLL Managers/Coaches/Parents:
As we all know, 2020 has presented many challenges to everyone, and our baseball league has been no different.  So far, though, it seems the kids are working hard and having fun learning baseball, and have been safe in doing so. With the rising number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Washington County, the JCMLL Board has met and felt it was a good idea to send out an update on the League’s plans for the rest of the season.  Please note that these are the plans, and that, especially in this unstable environment, those plans are subject to change. 

Schedule – The initial schedule of games has been re-evaluated.  The current schedules will stay in place through July 23rd for Major League (Kid Pitch) and through July 30th for Minor League (Coach Pitch).  Major League (Kid Pitch) will take a short break and will resume on August 3rd, while Minor League (Coach Pitch) will take a short break and will resume on August 10th.  Both regular seasons will be completed on September 5th.  President Joe Ayers will be working on developing a new schedule for the games after those breaks.  That schedule will ideally include a weeknight game and Saturday games (since school should be back in session).  
To clarify, Major League (Kid Pitch) will play through 7/23/2020 and then resume 8/3/2020 through 9/5/2020.  Minor League (Coach Pitch) will play through 7/30/2020 and then resume 8/10/2020 though 9/5/2020.

Additional COVID-19 policies – While we obviously hope that no child, parent, sibling, or coach is exposed at any time to COVID-19, with the rising number of local cases, some have asked the League’s plan IF someone affiliated with the League were to test positive.  While we continue to encourage all Managers, Coaches, parents, and players to follow all CDC and public health guidelines, as well as the League’s stated requirements, in the event a player, Manager, Coach, or umpire tests positive for COVID-19, that person (or responsible guardian) must immediately notify the Board, President, and/or Manager and the League will immediately be suspended (all play and practice) for 14 days.  The affected team or persons who were in “close contact” with the affected person should notify all persons who were in contact with the affected person as soon as possible.  Any person who thereafter tests positive for COVID-19 during that 14 day period will not be allowed to return until they have a negative test result and have been isolated no less than 10 days.  While the League will resume after the 14 days, the person or persons affected shall not be permitted to return until they have a negative test. Communication about these issues is of paramount importance.  Managers should be available to their teams and should be questioning the entire team on the “list of symptoms” (see the bottom of page 4 in the Tennessee Pledge relating to non-contact sports linked below) prior to each organized team activity.  Managers must report any positive symptoms or tests to the Board immediately.  https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/governorsoffice-documents/covid-19-assets/Pledge_Noncontact_Sports.pdf
We as a Board understand that this measure (14 day suspension) could appear extreme, but this is in line with what local businesses and other area youth sports leagues have instituted. We are a league for children, and their safety and well-being must stay the priority.  We hope to continue the season with no interruptions, but now everyone can be informed of the plan in place if we are faced with that unfortunate news.

Thank you for your interest and involvement, and we look forward to continuing the season, 

JCMLL Board of Directors