Hello Southwest Ohio League Family:

As promised, we are revisiting our March 14 Coronavirus position by April 1. 

Simply put, from the league's perspective, we will simply obey the mandates put in place by our President, our Governor, some city officials as well as county health boards and we all know--or should know-what those are.

There is plenty of time to conduct a summer team baseball season. Please understand that the only date limitation on a season is the weather and the time constraints put in place by teams. From a league perspective, we don't care if you play into late October. We can always allow roster flexibility if it becomes obvious we need to do that.

Let's get through this crisis together, caring for each other--perhaps even giving a competing coach a call, an email or a text to see how they are doing. Check in with your team families. They probably want to know you are doing okay as well. And if someone has needs, or prayer we can be there for that as well. 

If you are in crisis, I would like to know to add you to my prayer list, You all matter to me-every coach and player in this league.

Let's show the world that America is a special place!

Larry Redwine
Founder and  President

Due to concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and other health authorities, USSSA is implementing some new, mandatory health and safety procedures as part of a proactive approach to preventing the spread of germs.

Throughout the USSSA organization, we are adopting these new measures effective immediately. We cannot stress enough how vital it is that all USSSA participants adhere to these guidelines.

“No-Contact/No-Handshake” Policy

USSSA is immediately instituting a precautionary “no-contact, no-handshake policy” to be observed at every level of the organization until further notice. This includes all physical contact and extends to customary game-related activities, such as pre-game coaches’ handshakes, umpire-coach introductions, and post-game handshakes between members of opposing teams. Instead, staff, players and coaches should use verbal queues, such as saying “good game,” without shaking hands, high-fiving or fist-bumping.

Maintain Good Hygiene Practices

All USSSA employees, membership and participants in USSSA-sanctioned events should be aware of the coronavirus risk and take the necessary precautions to avoid exposure to germs. This includes maintaining good hygiene practices. We strongly recommend the following:

• Wash your hands often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol; this is suggested after any physical contact with another person or with a shared surface
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover your mouth and nose – with a tissue, if possible – when coughing or sneezing, then properly discard the tissue in the trash
• Avoid close contact with anyone else who is coughing or sneezing or who is otherwise sick
• Clean or disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

Advice from the CDC

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has a specific Q&A regarding the virus in children:

Q: Are children more susceptible to the virus that causes COVID-19 compared with the general population and how can infection be prevented?

A: No, there is no evidence that children are more susceptible...

- see here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/children-faq.html

SEP 17 2019

APPROVED BATS FOR 2020

Coaches: We have just received confirmation that among  our primary affiliations all but AABC and PONY will allow both the USSSA BPF 1.15 stamped bats as well as the USA Baseball stamped bats for those age levels younger than the High School age levels, where the BBCOR -3 bats will be used. Of course any player in any age level choosing to use either the BBCOR-3 bat or wood bats may do so as well. Ages 15 and above must use the BBCOR-3 drop or wood bat only.

Age levels 13 and 14 will have drop restrictions that must be adhered to in order to help the players to make the transition to the -3 drop bat at age 15.