UPDATE 7/1/20:
[email protected]
Dear HTLL Baseball Community,
Thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times. After much discussion and debate, we are happy to announce, HTLL is playing baseball! However, all Divisions are not resuming play. As mentioned in the previous communication, the T-Ball and Machine Pitch Divisions have already been cancelled for the 2020 Season. Monday night the Board of Directors held another meeting and unfortunately decided to also cancel the 2020 Baseball Season for the Minors Division. This difficult decision was based on feedback and concerns from Team Managers, Coaches, League Commissioners, and Parents. With that being said, we are hoping families can donate their paid registrations fees to the league this year. The league has many costs that will be lost in our operating budget this year due to the pandemic. If you are unable to donate, a registration credit in the form of a voucher will be issued for next season minus $30 which will go toward already incurred league costs. A Minor League Commissioner or League Administrator will reach out to you in the coming days to inquire how you desire to handle your registration fees. We hope you have a safe summer and look forward to welcoming you back for the 2021 season.
For the Major and Intermediate Divisions, we are moving forward with the resumption of the 2020 Baseball Season. If not already, Team Managers will be reaching out to you regarding your first practice. The season will run from now until August 22. Regular season games will begin on July July 11 and go through August 15 with Division Playoffs starting on August 17 and Championship Saturday on August 22. No Opening Ceremonies or Team Pictures will be scheduled.
Revised Guidelines and Safety Protocols for the League and a waiver form will be sent out in a separate communication by Friday.
Thank you again for your patience and understanding in these trying times. Please stay safe and sane.
Sincerely,
Jay Field, HTLL President
Brad Morris, HTLL Player Agent
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6/5/20 UPDATE:
Dear HTLL Baseball Community,
It has been a long and trying Spring for us all. But it looks like good news is on the horizon. As you may know, the Township entered the yellow phase on June 5. We are anticipating moving to the green phase over the next couple of weeks which means organized youth sports can resume. Much discussion has taken place since our last communication to you on how and when to resume the baseball season. The Board of Directors met Monday night to discuss the resumption of the season and made some tough decisions in regards to the different divisions that make up the league. Unfortunately, the Board has decided to cancel the 2020 Baseball Season for the T-Ball and Machine Pitch Divisions. Due to feedback received from the player interest survey sent out several weeks ago, the age of the players, and the logistical and safety concerns of having to play on various fields around the township, the Board felt there were too many risks involved to resume play within these two divisions. With that being said, we are hoping families can donate their paid registrations fees to the league this year. The league has many costs that will be lost in our operating budget this year due to the pandemic. If you are unable to donate, a registration credit in the form of a voucher will be issued for next season minus $20 which will go toward already incurred league costs. Your League Commissioner or Team Manager will contact you on how you desire to handle your registration fees. We hope you have a safe summer and look forward to welcoming you back for the 2021 season.
For the Minor, Major, and Intermediate Divisions, we are planning on moving forward with the resumption of the 2020 Baseball Season. Practices will begin shortly after the County/Township enters the green phase of reopening, sometime around the latter part of June, with games beginning on Monday, July 6th. The season will run July 6 - August 22. The regular season will be from July 6 - August 15 with Division Playoffs starting on August 17 and Championship Saturday on August 22. No Opening Ceremonies or Team Pictures will be scheduled. We understand that the season occurs over the summer and many of you have vacation plans. Your Team Manager or League Commissioner will be reaching out to you shortly to get your desire to play and status for the season. For those families who do not wish to play or cannot play due to other commitments, we hope you can also donate your paid registration fees to the league. If you are unable to donate, a registration credit in the form of a voucher will be issued for next season minus $30 which will go toward already incurred league costs. The difference in credit amount is due to the operating costs for the upper divisions being greater than the lower divisions. For the 13-year olds in the Intermediate Division, you have the option to donate or receive a reimbursement of paid registration fees minus the $30 since this is your last year of eligibility to play at HTLL. Please let your Team Manager or Commissioner know how you would like to handle your registrations fees when inquiring about your desire to play.
Guidelines and Safety Protocols outlining best practices to resume the baseball season based on Little League, the CDC, the Aspen Institute, and state and local government recommendations and requirements will be sent out in a separate email.
Thank you for your patience in these trying times. Please stay safe and sane.
Jay Field, HTLL President
Brad Morris, HTLL Player Agent
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5/20/20
To: HTLL Players, Parents, Board Members, Team Managers, Coaches, and Volunteers
From: Jay Field, President & Brad Morris, Player Agent
RE: HTLL 2020 Baseball Season Resumption - UPDATE
Hope everyone is staying safe and sane as another week passes. Jay and I along with
other members of the HTLL Board are still hopeful that the baseball season will resume
in the near future. Jay and I would like to take this time to say ‘Thank You’ to all the
Team Managers and Commissioners for reaching out to all the HTLL players and
parents to garner feedback in regards to playing baseball when restrictions are lifted
and the league is given the green light to resume operations. We would also like to
thank the parents for your timely responses. From looking at the responses, an
overwhelming majority wants to play baseball.
I know many of you have questions and concerns regarding safety protocols that will be
implemented when the season resumes. The Board of Directors are and have been
discussing possible safety concerns and protocols. However, at this time, we do not
have any definite answers or proposals to communicate to you. We anticipate the state
and local governments to provide some guidance. The League will be following and
implementing any and all guidelines and safety protocols set forth by state and local
authorities with the possibility of establishing additional protocols as deemed necessary.
If protocols dictate masks to be worn by all players, coaches, and spectators, then the
League will require masks to be worn by everyone at the Karakung Baseball Complex
and any other baseball field utilized by HTLL. Unfortunately, we are in a holding pattern
at the moment. We will update you as new information is released to the public and
decisions are made by the Board of Directors. Everyone’s health and safety is our #1
priority.
Soliciting feedback to gauge the level of interest to play was the first step in the
League’s resumption of the season. The scenarios outlined in the previous
communication are referenced below:
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Scenario A: if restrictions are lifted by June 5
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● Opening Day (1st Game): Saturday, June 20
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● Regular Season Play: June 20 - August 8
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● Playoff Week: August 10 - 14
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● Championship Saturday: August 15
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Scenario B: if restrictions are lifted by June 19
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● Opening Day (1st Game): Saturday, July 4th
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● Regular Season Play: July 4 - August 15
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● Playoff Week: August 17 - August 21
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● Championship Saturday: August 22
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Scenario C: if restrictions are NOT lifted by June 26
● Cancellation of Season
As you can see we still have some time to be able to resume play before the total
cancellation of the season. If you have not provided feedback to your Team Manager,
please do so as soon as possible in order for us to properly assess each division and
team. The next step is to await word from the Governor and local authorities as to when
restrictions will be lifted and what safety protocols need to be implemented. The Board
of Directors are also reviewing the financial impact to the League due to the
postponement of the season. The handling of any paid registration fees will be
addressed at a later time.
Hope this information provides some clarification and addresses some of your questions
and concerns. We look forward to resuming the baseball season in the near future.
Best Regards,
Jay & Brad