2022 COVID-19 Guidelines

As of September 2, 2022

Protocols may be updated in advance of or during the season in accordance with local guidelines and CDC recommendations.

Guiding COVID Prevention Principles

  • Promote proper hygiene.

  • Maintain physical distancing when appropriate.

  • Wear face coverings when appropriate.

  • Follow CDC, State, and Local Guidelines.

  • Keep our kids on the field of play! We have had three seasons played during the pandemic and not one documented case of transmission on the diamond. This is a testament to our community working together and following COVID safety rules. Let's make it four seasons!


Face Mask Guidelines

  • MCLL does not require face coverings indoors or outdoors unless required by the terms of use of the facility or in limited circumstances due to a close contact or post-COVID infection.

  • Players may voluntarily choose to wear a face covering while actively engaged in athletic activity and may not be asked to remove it.

  • If worn, face coverings should be worn properly and may not contain offensive content.


Facility / Field Rules

  • As already prohibited under Little League rules, no guardians or spectators are permitted in the player areas (e.g., dugouts, benches, field of play) except as otherwise permitted due to player injury.

  • All attendees must follow the requirements of any facility and local government, including mask wearing or any other health safety protocols.


Hygiene

  • No sharing of open food or drink with persons outside of your household EXCEPT team snacks may be provided to players if individually packaged.

  • No spitting, gum chewing, or finger licking at any time when at the ball field.

  • Frequently use hand sanitizer or wash your hands with soap and water if possible.

  • If mutually agreed upon, following the conclusion of the game teams are again permitted to lineup for post-game handshakes. However, as an alternative, teams are asked to instead lineup on the baselines and tip their caps.

Sick Policy

  • Stay home if you are sick!

  • No fever (>100°F) for 24 hours without fever reducing medications

  • Players will not be punished for being absent from practice or games. Coaches may not request proof of illness (e.g., Doctors Note)


Positive/Suspected COVID-19 Case Protocols

  • Close Contacts: Close contacts, whether they occur at an MCLL event or in another context (school, other sport, family event, etc.) need not be reported to MCLL. MCLL defines a close contact as a person who was within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes over a 24-hour period (regardless of whether they were inside or outside/masked or unmasked) within 48 hours of that person testing positive or displaying symptoms.

    1. An unvaccinated person that is considered a close contact may participate in MCLL events. The person is strongly encouraged to wear a well-fitting face covering (as defined below) through day 10 following their close contact and take a COVID-19 test on day 5. If a person develops symptoms or tests positive they should not attend MCLL events and must immediately notify MCLL through its established COVID-19 reporting procedures.

    2. A vaccinated person or person who has had a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 90-days and is considered a close is allowed to participate in MCLL events. If a person develops symptoms or tests positive they should not attend MCLL events and must immediately notify MCLL through its established COVID-19 reporting procedures.

    3. NOTE: A close contact of a close contact is NOT a close contact. In other words, if a player's class has been quarantined due to a positive COVID-19 case, even if that player attended practice the day before, the rest of the team is not considered a close contact unless that player exhibits symptoms or tests positive. And even in that case the team may not be considered a close contact depending on when the player tested positive or exhibited symptoms (see definition of close contact above).

  • COVID-19 Positive Person: A person that tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, may attend or participate in MCLL activities: 5 days after symptoms first appeared or their initial positive test, whichever occurred first. The person must also be fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and their symptoms must be improving. MCLL reserves the right to request a doctor’s note that the person has completed their 5-day isolation period. Upon return, for days 6-10 post infection, the person must wear a well-fitting face covering at all times (including during athletic activity) and must make all attempts to physically distance when not actively engaged in athletic activity. Persons that do not wish to wear a face covering as outlined above may return to MCLL activities after 10 days. Further, persons who were severely ill with COVID-19 or are immunocompromised should consult with their primary doctor prior to returning to MCLL activities. Day 0 is your first day of symptoms or a positive test. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed or your test specimen was collected. For example, a person that tests positive on a Monday is not allowed to return to play until Sunday. (subject to approval by the Safety Officer and wearing a mask at all times through the following Friday). Day 0 is Monday; Day 1 if Tuesday; Day 5 (final day of isolation) is Saturday; Return to Play Eligible Sunday.

  • Tests Permitted: While MCLL prefers the use of PCR tests, rapid at-home antigen tests are permitted for proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

  • Well-Fitting Face Covering: Non-cloth, surgical type mask that covers a person's nose and mouth and sits below their chin. It may be secured using straps around their head or using ear loops. Face shields are not considered well-fitting facing coverings and alone are not sufficient. If a player or their parent/guardian is not comfortable with them wearing a face covering at certain positions (e.g., catcher) the coach may not require them to play that position.

  • Travel: MCLL does not have any requirements for face coverings or COVID-19 testing as the result of a domestic or international travel. That said, we do encourage everyone to follow guidance regarding travel, consider getting tested upon return, and wearing a face covering as may be recommended by the CDC, State of Maryland, Montgomery County, and/or your healthcare professional.


COVID Policy Compliance

  • Managers are responsible for their own conduct as well as establishing protocols to ensure their team’s compliance (i.e., players, parents, other volunteers). But everyone is responsible for their own actions and must abide by coaches instructions. Please report violations of MCLL's COVID-19 protocols to safety@mclittleleague.org.

  • MCLL will monitor compliance through random inspections.

    1. First Violation: Warning. With reminder of COVID-19 protocols.

    2. Second Violation: Immediate removal from current MCLL activity. Signing of safety pledge.

    3. Third Violation: Suspension from participating in or attending MCLL activities for the remainder of season.


Equipment

  • MCLL Catching Gear Guidelines:

    • Gear may be shared, but should be wiped down for re-use by a different player using proper disinfectants.

    • FDA List of Disinfectants for COVID-19. If wiping down follow disinfectant instructions, wait until disinfectant dries.

COVID-19 Resources


Questions or to report issues please contact safety@mclittleleague.org

Note: These protocols are as of the date listed above, they are subject to change throughout the season. These protocols have been developed based on CDC, State and Montgomery County published guidance and in consultation with external medical/infectious disease professionals.