Dear Softball Community,
On Saturday, May 2nd, our Executive Council met via an online video conference to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on our 2020 season and to gather input on how to proceed going forward. Following Governor Burgum’s recommendation, our state is only in the very earliest stages of “reopening”. That has provided some cautious optimism for our society as we head into the summer months, but it is no time to be take anything for granted.
A lot can change – good or bad – over the next couple of weeks. Therefore, while we have a rough idea of the direction we would like to go, we will continue to compile information from a variety of sources over that time with the intention of finalizing more specific details at our Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 16th.
What we do know is that we have every intention of playing softball in some form this year, but we need to do so only at such a time as we can feel that all those involved can reasonably be kept safe. We are currently at a point where we are comfortable proceeding with Junior Olympics registrations and permitting adult or JO team practices of no more than 10 people (albeit only upon approval by field owners/Park & Rec departments and maintaining social distancing). Once we do take the field for competition, the experience will inevitably be quite different in some ways (the handling of shared equipment, for example).
Once again, we greatly appreciate your patience with this process, especially at a time when everyone is eager to take advantage of recent weather trends and enjoy this sport we love so much. We do not take our responsibilities as administrators of this association lightly even under normal circumstances. That is only magnified as it relates to the health and well-being of our members. Barring a significant step backwards, we should be able to inform you of when and how we can get back to the ballpark following the May 16th meeting. Until then, we wish for you & your family to remain safe and healthy.
Thank you and take care!
Dick Gulmon
Commissioner
Letter from Commissioner Gulmon
Moderator:Bernie