Category: News

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

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.

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/