Note: Since the publication of the article below, Baseball Sask issued a statement that the Government of Saskatchewan overturned the decision to allow a return to the sport immediate as was indicated on the Government's website. Instead the Government statement reads, "Sports and recreational activities for children and adulats may resume in the first part of Phase 4 of Re-open Saskatchewan. A date for this part of the pahse will be announced during the week of June 15, 2020."

In his release, Mike Ramage, Executive Director of Baseball Sask stated, "Therefore, this now means all Baseball Sask sanctioned in-person activities such as practices, scrimmages, games, etc. are now once again in a suspended state. We hope to once again be given the permanent green light to train/play very soon."

Individual fitness and condition can continue during this time.

 

As the government approaches the announcement of Phase 4.1 dates, Deputy Premier Gord Wyant took to the podium at the June 11 briefing to announce the impending return of many summer sports and recreation activities. Wyant suggested that dates for this portion of the reopening would be coming as early as next week. 

Activities listed for this round of reopening include the long awaited return to baseball diamonds along with soccer fields, lawn bowling greens, and football fields. Outdoor water parks, pools and spray parks will also be allowed to reopen.

For group sports, the seasons will look different given that there are mandated restrictions about tournaments and inter-provincial travel. All viewing areas will need to conform to physical distancing guidelines as will players benches, dugouts, etc. All participants and parents will need to sign waivers recognizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission prior to engaging in group activities. Even the time-honoured 50-50 draw fundraisers can only be conducted if contactless methods are used. 

In spite of the restrictions, the news is welcome for parents and coaches anxious to see children returning to the playing field. The news is particularly welcome in the baseball community where the MLB draft and Muenster’s Logan Hofmann’s 5th round selection by the Pittsburgh Pirates has brought baseball locally to a fever pitch.

Brett Suchan with Humboldt Minor Baseball was at engaged in an online coaching clinic with many of his provincial counterparts when he got the news about the green light for summer sports’ return.

“Greg Brons, the high performance director with Baseball Sask, announced at the beginning of the course about the return to training approval. We were all pretty excited. As Humboldt Minor Ball, we’re getting ready to open up registrations again to determine interest, and hopefully nobody has changed their plans.”

Suchan has heard in the community there is a strong desire for kids to return to the diamond, but he acknowledges how different the season will look without tournaments leading up to provincial competition. 

“I think it will definitely be different, but at the same time, you don’t want to lose the development time for the kids. Losing a year of baseball is huge because our season is so short.”

The restrictions on travel may mean that teams of different tiers may play against each other in more local or regional play, but despite the varying skill levels, Suchan maintains that any competition is good competition. 

Meanwhile, sports involving full body contact such as football, rugby, and field hockey with checking are not permitted at this time.

For more information on registration, head to humboldtminorbaseball.com or Humboldt Minor Baseball’s Facebook page. In other communities, information will be coming soon. 

Watch for Discover Humboldt’s upcoming interview article with Logan Hoffman on this year’s MLB draft.