COVID-19 UPDATES

April 16, 2020

SOFTBALL BC UPDATE RE.: COVID-19

To: All Members of Softball BC

In order to try and keep everyone up-to-date on Softball BC’s actions and position as we all do our part in the fight against the pandemic, this is an update on the provincial organization’s steps.

1. SOFTBALL BC HAS EXTENDED THE DATE FOR NO SOFTBALL ACTIVITIES TO JUNE 1, 2020.

– Softball BC will not extend sanctions for softball related activities, including games, practices, try-outs, clinics, camps, fundraising or face to face meetings, to name a few. By not extending sanctions, we strongly encourage everyone to obey the rules of the BC Health Authority, and follow all physical distancing protocols in place.

2. PROVINCIAL AND REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS REMAIN IN PLACE FOR 2020

– The board and members of Softball BC are not prepared to cancel the 2020 season at this point. We are working with hosts and in turn, local government to consider the feasibility of moving dates for these events later in the year. This will continue to be a work in progress as the province moves through steps necessary to keep us all safe. Softball BC will, at all times, follow the provincial guidelines and rules in place.

3. CANADIAN AND WESTERN CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE

– Softball Canada is in constant contact with the hosts of Canadian Championships and the Western Softball Association is doing the same. They are monitoring progress and evaluating different scenarios for these championships to take place. We are maintaining our dates for team Letters of Intent to attend their appropriate championships. Letters of Intent are due from Minor teams by May 15^th and from Men’s & Women’s teams by June 1^st. Your LOI should be mailed to the Softball BC office if you are intending AT THIS TIME, to participate. I want to assure everyone there will be follow up and confirmations should any of these championships take place before we commit to sending teams.

4. RETURN TO PLAY TASK FORCE

– We are putting together task forces to create return to play plans should the rules for gatherings relax to the stage where we could resume play. Volunteers have been requested to serve on these committees to help us create a sustainable and safe environment for youth and adults to be able to play some softball this year.

5. TEAM REGISTRATION DATES ARE DELAYED

– All clubs in BC collect Softball BC fees from the participants on our behalf. It is part of the annual registration fees each person pays to their club. The dates for clubs to register active participants in softball activities has been delayed indefinitely until such time as we have some certainty for a return to play or we move to preparations for the 2021 playing season.

6. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR LOCAL SOFTBALL CLUBS

– Provincial government community gaming grant program is accepting applications from all registered, not for profit sport clubs as normal. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/gambling-fundraising/gaming-grants/community-gaming-grants Softball BC, as well, is advocating through a variety of resources, for our clubs who may face financial hardships to receive additional public funding. We also encourage clubs to follow the ViaSport sport club grant website https://www.viasport.ca/grants for opportunities to access other forms of funding

The board and volunteers of Softball BC are committed to our players, coaches, umpires and administrators returning to play softball when our government and sport leaders have said we are safe to do so. We remain cautiously optimistic that this can still happen this year, and so we will work to have plans in place that will allow this to happen while protecting our members and the public, to the best of our ability.

Respectfully,

Rick Benson, Executive Director, Softball BC