SEMI ANNUAL NEWSLETTER APRIL 2020

BASEBALL NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Introduction

In a normal year, we would all be getting together to put the final touches on what would be another memorable season of baseball in Newfoundland and Labrador. Unfortunately, things are far from normal right now.

Firstly, I hope everyone is keeping well, adhering to the proper public health measures as outlined by government officials, and trying to find ways to spend their time safely and wisely. This is certainly not what any of us expected to be dealing with, but I know the strength and passion of everyone involved in our sport. If we apply this same strength and passion toward our responsibilities in fighting this unprecedented situation, I know we will all be back together as soon as possible.

As this newsletter continues, we will provide updates on where things are with general updates, programming updates and other initiatives as we continue to try and keep all stakeholders involved, informed and aware of where things currently are, where they are heading (if possible), and what we hope to achieve with this coming season.

Sport is a way to unite everyone, and I am looking forward to when we can once again share in this passion at our various baseball fields across the province. Until then, be well and keep safe.

Kevin Legge President, Baseball NL

General Updates

Given the ever-evolving COVID-19 situation, we have suspended all Baseball NL-sanctioned activity until April 30th. This was originally done on March 13th with an “indefinite” date, with April 30th being added on March 20th after public health guidance, discussion with other provinces and Baseball Canada. As April 30th nears, we will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation, gather information from our National- and Provincial-level public health authorities, and Baseball Canada with regard to updating our potential return-to-play date. As we work to update everyone, please understand that this is a constantly changing situation and we will provide any new information as timely and effectively as possible.

At the present time, the Baseball NL office is closed. Ryan is continuing to work from home (as are most everyone else in the province) so if you need anything from him don’t hesitate to reach out through normal communications channels. Ryan will be working from home until it is determined by public health officials that non-essential workers are permitted to return to work. What that date is remains to be seen, but we will update once we are provided more information and a possible timeline for when the office will be open once again.

It is our hope to play a full – or close to full – season. Any cancellations or changes to that plan will be guided and informed by the advice of public health and government officials. No decision on cancellations will be made lightly or quickly. If this has to happen it is because we are left with no other solution. This decision could also be impacted the decisions of municipalities across the province with respect to the use of outdoor facilities. There are a lot of unknowns with what will happen and where things are going, but as soon as we are able to provide an update with regard to this coming season we will. We understand there is a lot of planning and preparation that needs to happen in your respective associations in order to effectively prepare for the upcoming season – in whatever form that takes on. We would encourage you to plan and prepare as much as possible right now so things are less stressful when we get the hopeful clearance to resume activity.

Provincial Calendar Updates

Minor – Bay St. George Minor Baseball has been approved as the host for the 11U A event on Labour Day Weekend. We are still looking for a host for the 15U AA event, also scheduled to be on Labour Day Weekend. If your association is interested in hosting this event, please reach out to Ryan. We need to secure a host for this event – it is one of our larger tournaments and there will be a lot of participation at this event. Again – if you are interested and able to host this event please reach out to Ryan to discuss the details and particulars.

Senior/Junior – the Senior Club Tournament, currently scheduled for June 26th – 28th in Corner Brook, may be moved to St. John’s (on the same dates) to accommodate continued construction of the new Jubilee Field clubhouse. Again – as with everything – decisions regarding the tournament and its location are very much in the air right now as we work through not only the clubhouse construction timelines, but also the COVID-19 situation. Corner Brook Baseball Association and St. John’s Amateur Baseball have discussed moving the event should the need arise. When a clearer picture is available we will update accordingly.

Coaching Clinic Updates

Baseball NL is in the process of finalizing NCCP clinics to be offered online via Adobe Connect. These clinics, once completed, will give coaches the same credit for a completed course as if they attended an in-person clinic. Registration will be available via the Baseball Canada site once finalized. We expect clinics to start the week of April 27th, though the timing of finalizing information could delay the start date. Please keep an eye to our social media accounts and website as information will be posted there once it is confirmed. These clinics are a great way to continue to stay engaged in baseball while we await a return-to-play date. If you are an aspiring coach and want to start getting involved at the club-level in your respective association we would encourage you to take these online courses once they become available.

Umpire Clinic Updates

In coordination with our Provincial partners in Ontario, Baseball NL is currently working on online offerings for the Level I Umpire Clinic. This e-learning, once available to interested umpires, will offer the same Level I certification that the in-person clinic has offered in the past. As this is a joint venture between Baseball NL and Baseball Ontario, please understand that this could take more time than we anticipate. Rest assured that once the material is ready to go, we will communicate a plan to ensure all interested umpires can register for course and achieve their Level I certification. We are hopeful to begin offering this clinic sometime in May.

Provincial Team & High Performance Updates

Until a decision is made on the Baseball Canada National Championships (see below section for more information), we are continuing to plan and prepare for each of our Provincial Teams for this coming year. 15U and 17U tryout registration has wrapped up (with tryouts ready to go for each team once permitted to do so), 16U Girls tryout registration is continuing (until April 30th), and 18U Expressions of Interest are still being taken. Provincial Team coaching staffs are ready to begin their Programs once more information is available to them.

As well, Expressions of Interest for coaches are still being taken with for the 14U Girls High Performance Program. The Program is seeking two Head Coaches, two Assistant Coaches and two Junior Coaches. The program will be supervised by High Performance Co-Chair and Female Baseball Chair Mark Healy, with assistance from High Performance Co-Chair and Coaching Coordinator Greg Williams and 14U High Performance Program Assistant Manager Bob Morgan. Michelle Healy will serve as the Team Manager for the program.

Baseball Canada Updates

Baseball Canada has stopped all of their programming until April 30th, including the cancellation of a number of meetings, training sessions, and coach development sessions. This decision falls in line with many of the other provinces in the country, and is backed by the information and guidance of National- and Provincial-level public health officials.

Baseball Canada has determined that May 1st will be the latest date at which a decision will be made on the status of 2020 National Championships. This date has been chosen to allow this year’s hosts to adequately plan and prepare should it be decided to go ahead with the National Championships, or allow time to sufficiently meet all hosting obligations with respect to cancellations should it be decided to cancel this year’s National Championships. This decision is not one that anyone is taking lightly – the ramifications with either decision are far-reaching. Of utmost concern for everyone is safety of all participants – players, coaches, parents, volunteers and officials. This will be the only contributing factor when trying to come to a conclusion that is viable and safe for everyone involved.

St. John’s was set to host the 13U National Atlantic in late-September and both Baseball NL and SJMBA have been in contact with Baseball Canada with regard to when the province would like to host the event again (should the decision be made to cancel for 2020). In the event that this year’s Championships are cancelled, SJMBA will get first right of refusal on our next opportunity to host this event (in whatever year that is) as they are scheduled to host this year.

Baseball Atlantic Updates

Currently, things are still status quo for Baseball Atlantic and Atlantic Championships. Given that these events do not happen until mid-September, there is still time to continue to let things unfold and develop before coming to a decision on these Championships. All members of Baseball Atlantic – Baseball NL, Baseball NS, Baseball PEI and Baseball NB – have met via teleconference to discuss when this decision needs to be made. We have settled on an approximate date of June 30th. All provinces will likely be in very different situations depending on the path the COVID-19 situation takes in each province. In making the decision on the status of the Atlantic Championships, all provinces need to be in a similar situation from a public health stance, and also have been able to start their seasons on or near this June 30th date. As with the potential cancellation of Provincial Championships, any decisions around cancelling Atlantic Championships will not be taken lightly and will be made only if no other alternative is possible. While cancellation is a last resort, all provinces will be relying on information from their respective public health authorities to inform this decision and the safety of everyone involved will be the most crucial and important determining factor.

Baseball Atlantic is also working on a possible alternative to replace the National Championships at the 15U, 16U Girls and 17U levels in the event the National Championships are indeed cancelled. These discussions are in the preliminary stages and hinge on the final decision concerning the cancellation of Nationals. Coaching staffs for these Provincial Team Programs have been informed of this potential plan and will continue to be updated as the process unfolds.

In Closing

In closing, this coming year will certainly be memorable for many years to come – hopefully for better reasons than we are currently experiencing. As mentioned at the beginning of this newsletter, we are hopeful to play a full season and give everyone as much baseball as possible this summer. We are planning and preparing as such, and will be ready to go once we are advised it is safe to do so.

Remember that we are still working though the office is closed. Ryan is available as normal and can be reached for anything and everything baseball-related as you all plan and prepare for whatever this season has to offer. Any updates that can be provided will be done as quickly as possible. If you need any information regarding anything don’t hesitate to reach out to Ryan. If he cannot answer your question on his own he will get you an answer as quickly as possible.

Now more than ever it is important to continue to adhere to public health measures, practice the proper protocols and procedures, and work together so we can get back together as quickly as possible.

In closing the way I opened – sport is a way to unite everyone, and I am looking forward to when we can once again share in this passion at our various baseball fields across the province. Until then, be well and keep safe.

Kevin Legge President, Baseball NL