As we set and follow guidelines in reopening in the Covid-19 world we've adjusted to the times as well as the season. While still the same league and players as Spring, we're adjusting for Summer and everything that means.
We're also looking for a few Majors and Minors level players who are looking for some field time in the evening to fill out our squads. Recreational and instructional play two nights a week as well as the potential for games throughout the summer. Please reach out with any questions regarding open Summer spots.
*Please review the Covid-19 Return announcement posted on our website as well as social media before returning to the fields.
Join us March 7th @ 9:00 am!
Palmetto Little League
PalmettoBasebal
Palmetto Little League Summer 2020 Covid-19 Return Plan. https://t.co/w56cWn5Loy https://t.co/9X7f4ddmHB
Spring has Sprung!
Practices have started and Little League Baseball is back at Blackstone Park!
Follow your player's team online or on the SportsEngine app available for Android or iOS.
Opening Day is Saturday, March 7th starting at 9:00 am. Entertainment. Games. Food. Player, Volunteer and Partner introductions. Everyone is welcome!
We can't wait to see everyone at Blackstone this Spring,
Your Palmetto Little League Board of Directors
The Woodruff Warriors secured an emotional victory in what was their first game ever. 12 to 7 was the final score. A season of practices paid off and lead to an outpouring of run.
June 12th, 2020
To Whom it May Concern:
It is the intention of the board of Palmetto Little League to resume what was Spring 2020 league operations previously suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The board officially reopened with a board meeting on June 10th and we intend to begin meeting for practices starting on Monday, June 15th if properly approved by that time.
The intended schedule is as follows:
- Monday, June 15th at 6:00 pm – All Tee Ball players will gather with their respective teams as best they remain intact and will then be organized by board members and coaches into ‘Summer’ teams on Marauders Field 1, Dana Site Field 2 and Jess Jewelers Field 3.
- Tuesday, June 16th at 6:00 pm – The Diaz Landscape Warriors are scheduled for Marauders Field 1. The Blackstone Privateers are scheduled for Dana Site Field 2. All returning players from both the USA Fence Dragons and Everglades Farm Equipment Bucks are scheduled for Jess Jewelers Field 3.
- These dates and times are for the purposes of establishing the exact numbers of returning players as well as potential spots to be filled.
- These dates and times are subject to change, including day of, should unforeseen issues arise and are only for Week 1 of the summer return.
- Full schedules will follow once the final numbers are established next week. Two weeks of practices are required before any games will be scheduled.
For the purposes of restarting what was the Spring 2020 season, we will be adjusting the official title to the ‘Palmetto Little League Summer 2020 Season’.
What this means:
- Simply an adjustment to avoid confusion with the seasonal change.
- All players registered for the Spring 2020 season are welcome and encouraged to rejoin.
- All volunteers remain background checked and are encouraged to return or reach out for new opportunities to help.
- Potential opportunity for limited enrollment for new players if spots become open.
- Consideration towards a future season for players unable to return for the summer.
- Partnerships will all be carried over to Summer.
The board absolutely understands that the Summer 2020 season will not be as long or as expansive as the traditional Little League spring season. There is no All-Stars, for example, and it’s unlikely interleague play will continue as it was planned, however it’s extremely important to us as a board that we get back to operations and are able to provide a recreational outlet for as many families as possible this summer as we collectively try to return to as close to normal as can currently be achieved. We plan to work in Sandlot Games as well as provide an almost summer camp like instructional feel.
Returning to operations is not as simple as just reopening. There are a number of important changes to our standard constitution and park operating procedures that have to be put in place in order to follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control, the State of Florida, Manatee County Parks and Recreation as well as Little League International.
These new guidelines are in addition to the Palmetto Little League 2020 Constitution and park rules; however, they supersede any guidelines that conflict with these new requirements and are as follows:
- Sanitizing stations will be provided for all teams during practices and games as well as for the bathrooms, viewing areas and concessions stand, if applicable. Families are encouraged to bring their own method of hand sanitization as well.
- Player temperatures will be taken via temporal scan prior to gathering for games and practices. Thermometers will be wiped down and sanitized between players.
- All dugouts are to remain closed to players and to be used by a single volunteer for the purposes of equipment sanitization and to oversee the following of social distance guidelines during games.
- Home and visiting teams, as well as teams gathered for practice, will gather along the fences extending towards the outfields on their respective sides of the field. If practice, the first base side of the field should be used.
- All players and coaches should set up 6 feet apart in their team areas. A 6-foot social distance should also be maintained by anyone at the park as much as is possible.
- The sharing of equipment is heavily discouraged; however, in the situation that equipment must be shared, a volunteer representing the team must make sure the item is wiped down and that themselves and any players involved in the exchange use hand sanitizer.
- Coaches and Team Parents are responsible for keeping their teams in compliance with the new requirements, with families doing their very best to help and encourage their players.
- The number of balls for games and practices will be increased to accommodate the sanitization of balls between contact with players and will be rotated in as they are sanitized.
- Per current guidelines related to gathering, practices are limited to 30 people per field, and games are limited to 60 people per field. Because of these restrictions, the number of spectators per player must be monitored and limited. As of now, the limit is set at 2 spectators per player unless team numbers require less to remain in compliance.
- The bleachers will also be closed at this time. Families and spectators will need to provide their own seating and maintain a 6-foot distance from other families. They also must remain at least 10 feet behind the areas designated for teams on either side of the field.
- The board member on duty will maintain the sanitization of the bathrooms during league gatherings.
- If the concession stand is to be used, only prepackaged items will be sold by gloved board members or volunteers.
- All players need to provide their own water. Bottled water will be sold at the concession stand and made available at no charge to all players should the temperature at the time of play be above 85 degrees.
- Play will be suspended should the temperature be above 90 degrees at the time of gathering.
- The above guidelines are all subject to change, including expansion or retraction, depending on conditions.
With these new guidelines for summer, as well as the unforeseen disruption of the Spring 2020 Little League Season, the board understands that not everyone will be able to return. We are planning to work with families wanting to return for a future season where possible; however, we will not be able to issue refunds at this time. Unfortunately, due to the timing of the Covid-19 shutdown, all the funds related to registration had already been allocated. These items include uniforms, lights and field rentals for practices and games leading up to the shutdown, equipment, concessions stand items, field maintenance and more. If you have any questions about not being able to return for the summer extension of spring, registration fees or league finances, please feel free to reach out. The league books are always open to anyone who would like a better understanding of the cost of league operations.
Thanks, so much, for your continued support of Palmetto Little League. As a board, we sincerely hope this information finds our families well and that everyone is heathy and as excited as we are to get back to baseball at Blackstone Park in whatever form is possible.
We would also like to add an extra special thank you as well as our profound gratitude to all of the first responders and frontline essential employees among our families. Your efforts have been and continue to be nothing short of heroic and incredibly inspirational. We are blessed to consider you Palmetto Little League Family.
It is with great excitement and anticipation that we close this letter by saying, “Let’s play ball!” We can’t wait to see everyone at Blackstone!
Richard Drake and the entire Palmetto Little League Board of Directors
New in 2020, Palmetto Little League is proud to add State Farm agent Wayne Scroggins as a Partner. Wayne is a graduate of the University of South Florida and is an award winning agent who as been with State Farm since 1983.
Thank you to all the Coaches, Parents and Volunteers for an incredible Fall season! We couldn't have done it without you. We can't wait to see everyone in the Spring!
Located in Palmetto, Florida, Palmetto Little League was established in 1983 and is Manatee County's longest running Little League baseball and softball organization. Blackstone Park in Palmetto is our proud home and we offer programs for players as young as 4 years of age and ranging all the way up to 16. We offer Spring and Fall programs and take a great deal of pride in being the premier provider of recreational baseball and softball to the children of Palmetto.
Palmetto Little League a chartered Little League. For information on Little League Baseball and Softball in your area, please visit LittleLeague.org.
Palmetto Little League a chartered Little League and part of Florida District 26. For information on Florida District 26 please follow the link to their website.
