Irvine Colts Baseball

Hello Coaches,

I know we are all anxious about returning to the baseball field soon. In Irvine, we have reopened our fields this week for practices and conditioning, but no scrimmages or games at this time.

We wanted to provide you an update and here is the latest with where things stand, as of today.

Last week the state issued new guidance allowing for socially distanced training and clinics to resume for youth sports. However, at this time, the state of California is not allowing games in most sports at this time. Here is some of the key information released by the state.

Outdoor and indoor sporting events, assemblies, and other activities that require close contact or that would promote congregating are not permitted at this time. For example, tournaments, events, or competitions, regardless of whether teams are from the same school or from different schools, counties, or states are not permitted at this time.
Youth sports and physical education are permitted only when the following can be maintained: (1) physical distancing of at least six feet; and (2) a stable cohort, such as a class, that limits the risks of transmission. Activities should take place outside to the maximum extent practicable.
For sports that cannot be conducted with sufficient distancing, only physical conditioning and training is permitted and ONLY where physical distancing can be maintained. Conditioning and training should focus on individual skill-building (e.g., running drills and body weight resistance training) and should take place outside, where practicable. Indoor physical conditioning and training is allowed only in counties where gyms and fitness centers are allowed to operate indoors.

It is clear that a September start date for competitive sports is not going to happen, unless there is a dramatic shift in the state’s thinking. At this time we believe the earliest possible start date would be October or November, which would put our Fall Select season in jeopardy. With this being said we will not be planning for a Fall Select season, but want to collect all coaches contact information for those teams that would be interested in scheduling scrimmages when the state provides updated guidance regarding competitive play. We will be happy to connect coaches to arrange scrimmages and if needed assist with getting umpires. We remain hopeful that there will be a time in the near future that we can get back out there for competitive games, but right now we wanted to update you on our current position.

We will continue to keep you updated as new information comes in. Please let us know if you have any questions. Stay safe!

Sincerely,

Brad Gramlich and TJ Meeks
Irvine Select Leadership Team