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COVID-19 TRAINING PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES

Good news we have been given the all clear to return to baseball activity. While this is undoubtedly good news, there are some protocols and procedures we have to adhere to. Those protocols and procedures are outlined below.

You must complete the RETURN TO ACTIVITY REGISTRATION below. NO ONE will be allowed to set foot on the field without registering.

Once you have registered please use the following link to book a group at training. Places, numbers and times are STRICTLY limited so please keep to the time you have signed up to.

If you sign up and for whatever reason cant make that session, please remove your name from the list.

I cant stress this enough that places are limited so for the sake of everyone involved please keep the sign up sheet up to date.

Arrival

  • All equipment and protocols must be set up and ready prior to player’s arrival
  • Players are to enter through the gate next to the home dugout
  • Players are to form a social distancing line and adhere to all COVID-19 health directives while in line, including not touching any fences or structures
  • Before going through the gate, everyone is to wash their hands using their sleeve to push down dispenser at a “Pre-Entry” station.
  • Only one person at a time is to go through the gate.

Sanitising station
Inside the gate, a sanitary station will be set up and each player will come to the station in turn.

A Coach or club official will be at the table, and will be wearing gloves.

Each player will be asked the following questions, which will be recorded:

  • Have you been diagnosed with COVID-19?
  • Have you been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed or who has symptoms of COVID-19?
  • Have you recently returned from overseas?
  • Have you been in recent contact with anyone who has been overseas?
  • Do you have any of the following, sore throat, persistent cough, shortness of breath, runny nose?

The player’ s temperature is taken with digital thermometer and recorded.

If any significant symptoms are present at this point, the player will be asked to leave training and return home. It will be strongly suggested that they self-isolate until they can be medically reviewed.

The players details are then written on the Baseball Victoria Return to activity form and forwarded to Baseball Victoria.

The player then washes their hands again, using sleeve to push down dispenser, or official at the station assists. Player then moves into their allocated group.

Extra bats
If a player does not have their own bat, they will be supplied with one. All such bats will have a disposable tape applied to the handle, which will be removed at the end of training during “clean up.”

Helmets
If a player does not have their own helmet, one will be supplied for the duration of the session. At the end of the session, players are to return the borrowed helmet to their player station.

Balls
All balls except those used in shared activity will be collected into containers and stored without being cleaned, as they will only have been handled by players with gloves on.
During this process, gloves are to be worn.

Equipment
All bases, pitching machines, helmets and nets can be collected, cleaned and stored away by persons wearing gloves.

Drink bottles
Players will need to clearly mark their own drink bottle and will be advised not to share under any circumstances. The club will not provide drink bottles.

Bins
A number of bins and buckets will be distributed throughout the training area. Used tissues and gloves can be put into them.

When training is finished
After cleaning up their area and putting rubbish in the bin, they leave training through the gate near the visitors’ dugout

Clean up

Suggest that the clean up is performed by minimal staff, perhaps two. They must wear gloves.

  • Collect and store all equipment including, balls, nets, pitching machines, bases and any training aids
  • Clean any helmets left by players and store for next session
  • Clean any bats left by players and replace handle tapes
  • Clean and store balls shared by players
  • Empty all bins and buckets, clean buckets and store for next session
  • Clean and pack up Sanitary Stations
  • Turn off lights and lock up all gates and sheds
  • Remove gloves and discard, wash hands
  • Leave venue through the gate near the visitors’ dugout.

Follow up process if any player was sent home for isolation
If a player has been sent home from training, a screening form for the event must be completed.

  • A follow up call to the player should be made on the same day to determine that they have followed self-isolation advice and intend to have a medical review.
  • The club official should then notify the player that the Club will need to notify the relevant government authority, and they should not attend training again, until they have documented medical clearance.
  • The club official will initiate a plan to provide support for the player with follow up calls over the next week to assist with their mental health.

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News

EBC Suspends Winter Training and Season Due to Covid-19 Precautions

Dear Members,

We hope you are all well.

Given the latest Victorian Government announcements regarding the spike in COVID-19 numbers and postcode lockdowns, the Essendon Baseball Club have made the difficult, but responsible decision to pause existing Junior and Senior winter training at Boeing Reserve, and to no longer enter teams in the upcoming MWBL season.

This decision has been made based on the following:

  • A large number of our members live in the suburbs that will be locked down from midnight tonight.
  • Members who reside in the listed postcodes will be unable to attend training and this would have seriously impacted our ability to field teams.
  • At all times the safety of our members is our priority, and it is felt that we had a duty of care to suspend training and participation in competition as we could not realistically guarantee coach and player safety.
  • The increase in COVID-19 cases is of overall concern to the community and other local organisations such as the EDFL have also cancelled their seasons for these reasons.

Training, Juniors & Seniors, has been underway over the last few weeks and we know that our families will be disappointed, however, we anticipate that we would have your understanding and support for this decision.  Once we have the go ahead, we will ensure that training will re-commence and we will focus on working towards a healthy summer and future seasons.

If you have any queries or concerns please contact Julie Jones (Seniors) on 0408170695 or Kay Ferguson (Juniors) on 0419337949.

Stay safe and we will be in touch.

Tony Cornish

President

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News

EBC Winter Season Covid-19 Update

To all EBC members as addressed,

With yesterday’s announcement of the return to baseball activity commencing Monday 25 May, we hope to answer some of your questions…

Baseball Victoria along with the Winter Leagues has agreed that Winter baseball training (as far as they are concerned) can start as of this coming Monday the 25th of May.

We are still to be informed of any details as to how the shortened Winter season will operate and when it will commence and finish and we will advise once we become aware.

We have only just been informed of the situation and we will now need to meet and put a plan together for how we as a club will handle things going forward. We will then be in a position to advise training sessions, dates and times and how they will operate.

HOWEVER, EVEN THOUGH BASEBALL VICTORIA HAS GIVEN APPROVAL, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO DO ANY TRAINING OR USE THE GROUND UNTIL WE RECEIVE APPROVAL OF THE CITY OF MOONEE VALLEY.

We have submitted our request for the use of the ground and should be in a position to let you know when training by mid-next week.

Baseball Victoria have declared that All players, coaches and committee members will need to register with SportsTG to Return to Activity.

Click HERE for Winter Return to Activity Registration by club. (This is the same system that you would normally use to register to play, Use your normal login ID and Password. They only difference is that there is no cost associated with completing the form at this stage. I repeat, it may look the same but you will note it has no cost associated with it.

As it gets closer to an actual season getting underway BV and the club will advise a revised registration cost and process that will need to be done prior to 1st game. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT NO PLAYER, COACH, OFFICIAL ETC WILL BE ABLE TO BE ON THE TRAINING FIELD UNLESS THEY HAVE REGISTERED TO DO SO VIA THE RETURN TO ACTIVITY LINK ABOVE. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.

NO PLAYER OR OFFICIAL CAN TAKE ATTEND OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY TRAINING SESSION UNLESS THEY HAVE FIRST COMPLETED THEIR ONLINE RETURN TO ACTIVITY REGISTRATION FORM.  (Required for insurance and liability coverage.)

NOTE : We also need to advise that Baseball Victoria have informed us that we are not allowed to use the clubs batting cage (not allowed to use any batting cages that have a roof, as well dugouts will not be opened for use during these training sessions so as to keep safe distancing)

It is urgent that we here from all players, juniors and seniors who are still intending to play this Winter. Could you please reply URGENTLY so we are aware. We need to know numbers to confirm that there is still enough interest to entering teams this winter.

Whilst a number of you indicated previously that you were looking at playing this winter, this was before the Covid-19 virus situation arose. We appreciate that some of those who indicated that were going to play may have had second thoughts so this is why we are asking again for those looking at playing to please advise us again.

Yours,

Julie Jones EBC Secretary

BV Return To Activity Policy

Baseball Activity – Training FAQ’s

Can I train with my team?
Groups of up to 10 athletes can train together, plus two coaches. There can be two groups on the field, one in the diamond and one in the outfield with approximately 20 metres in between them. Each group may have 10 athletes and two coaching staff; however the groups may not swap over at any time and need to remain in their section for the entire training session.

How many people can be at training?
20 athletes can be at training on one baseball field, in groups of 10. There can be two coaches in addition to the 10 athletes. Each group must remain separated, with one in the diamond and one in the outfield with approximately 20 metres in between. These groups may not leave their section or swap over at any time during the training session.

Can we use the dugout?
No, dugouts cannot be used at this stage. You need to maintain a 1.5 metre distance at all times.

Can we use the batting cages?
If the batting cage is enclosed i.e. it has a roof, it cannot be used. If the batting cage is open air, you can use it while maintaining the 1.5 metres distance.

Can we use the changeroom facilities?
No, changerooms may only be used for access to the toilet facilities. Participants should arrive at the venue ready to train and leave the venue in their training gear to change and shower at home.

Can my parents come to training?
Yes, one parent or guardian is permitted at training. Those attending will need to maintain the 1.5 metre social distancing guidelines and we advise that when possible, these individuals should remain in their vehicle at the venue. Parents should not be on the field of play at any time.

Can my partner come to training?
Yes, one person for each athlete is permitted. Those attending will need to maintain the 1.5 metre social distancing guidelines and we advise that when possible, these individuals should remain in their vehicle at the venue. Please note that parents/partners cannot access the field, or they are considered part of the group and will count towards the maximum 10 people.

Can my young kids come to training?
Yes, kids are permitted at training if they are supervised by a guardian. Children may not be on the field or they will contribute to the 10-person maximum.

Can my siblings come to training?
Yes, siblings may come to training if they are with a parent or guardian and maintain the 1.5 metre social distancing guidelines. We advise that, when possible, these people should remain in their vehicle at the venue.

Do I need to wear a face mask?
No, you are not required to wear one as face masks are currently optional in Victoria, however, if you wish to do so that is acceptable. Click HERE for more information from the Victorian government on wearing a face mask and other ways to reduce your risk of coronavirus.

Do coaches need to wear face masks?
No, coaches are not required to wear face masks, but they can if they wish to do so.

Can I take a shower before or after training in the changerooms?
No, shower facilities at venues will be closed.

Can we have a group huddle to address the team?
No, you can move together as a group, but you must maintain the 1.5 metres between each person.

What kind of training drills are prohibited?
Training drills involving close physical contact are prohibited. Regular catching, throwing and hitting drills are allowed so long as all participants remain at least 1.5 metres apart.

Can we play Baseball?
No, there is no team on team activity.

Can we put two groups of 10 on the same field?
Yes, two groups of 10 are permitted on the same field if one group is positioned in the diamond and the other in the outfield, with approximately 20 metres in between the two groups. These groups cannot move from their sections or switch over at any time during the training session.

Can I share bats?
No, bats should not be shared whenever possible. Bats provided by the club must be wiped down with a disinfectant wipe or solution before and after use.

Can I tag the player during training?
No, tagging will not be permitted during training. Players are to have no physical contact with one anther and remain 1.5 metres apart at all times.

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Government Advice re Corona Virus

The Essendon Baseball Club have would like our members to follow the advice from the Australian Government in relation to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The following is the latest advice updated on 30 January 2020 and published on the Federal Government Department of Health website:

Updated Australian Government advice to Australians about the novel coronavirus, based on the latest medical advice.

  • People who have been in contact with confirmed novel coronavirus cases must be isolated in their home for 14 days after exposure.
  • Returned travellers who have been in Hubei Province of China must be isolated in their home for 14 days after leaving Hubei Province other than for seeking individual medical care.

Please note that this is advice can change quickly and for the latest update, please check the following websites:

For national updates: https://www.health.gov.au/news/latest-information-about-novel-coronavirus

For Victorian updates to the current incident, go to: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/