Regarding: Return to our sport with respect to COVID-19

Dear VBA Family –

As British Columbia public health authorities develop guidelines to lift some restrictions on gathering in a responsible way, Vernon Baseball Association has been working with viaSport, Baseball BC, BC Minor Baseball and the Province of British Columbia to understand the recommendations our Chief Provincial Health Officer and how they best apply within sport.

On May 28^th viaSport released the Return to Sport Guidelines for BC outlining the path forward to opening sport back up in British Columbia. On June 7^th Baseball BC communicated the Return to Play Guidelines specific to baseball. While there is quite a bit of work required and formal approvals to gain, we do have a path forward to opening baseball here in Vernon.

While we remain optimistic on our path forward the experience and the logistics of baseball will adjust and continue to adjust as time passes and we learn more. What we start with later in June may not be what we end with. Our goal has been and remains to put together a minimum of 8 week seasons for all of our levels of ball. I will share more on what that looks like and when in upcoming updates.

The Return to Sport Plan has been developed for our sport in order to ensure:

• health and safety of all individuals is a priority
• activities are in alignment with provincial health recommendations
• modifications to activities are in place in order to reduce the risks to each sport organization and its participants
• our sport is united and aligned on a plan to reopen throughout the province

While we do hope things will return to normal in the not too distant future, currently this Return to Sport Plan will be what is required for us to safely offer baseball to our kids until we are advised otherwise by public health authorities.

If you choose to participate, you must follow these rules:

• If you dont feel well or are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, you must stay home.
• If you have traveled outside of Canada, you are not permitted at the facility until you have self- isolated for a minimum of 14 days.
• If you live in a household with someone who has COVID-19 or is showing symptoms of COVID- 19, please stay home.
• Wash your hands before participating
• Bring your own equipment, water bottle and hand sanitizer
• Comply with physical distancing measures at all time
• Avoid physical contact with others, including shaking hands, high fives, etc.
• Leave the field of play as quickly as possible after you finish

Our Return to Sport Plan is based on current public health guidance. While we are all doing our best to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19, while the virus circulates in our communities it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk. Each participant must make their own decision as to whether it is in their best interest to resume participation at this time. You must take into account your own circumstances and make the decision that is right for you. Should you choose to join us, we require your full cooperation with our Return to Sport Plan.

More and more of this plan will develop over the coming days. You can expect more communication from me no later than next week on what some of the next steps look like. Until then, get those arms warmed up and ready, soon enough we will hear what we have all been waiting for Play Ball.

Sincerely,

Michael Sanfilippo
VBA – President

I wish I had some good or any news at all at this point but nothing as of yet. I will say that the Vernon Baseball board remains very optimistic that at some point between now and when we are covered back up with snow we will put on a baseball season for the kids.

Our typical Spring season is 8 weeks long and runs roughly from April 15- June 20th. It is the intention of the board to put together a season regardless of when we are able to start it. This may end up being a partial season or a season that runs into summer/fall. We don’t know at this point. What we do know is we have a great group of board members, parents, volunteers and coaches wanting to get out there as soon as possible and we will be ready to do that once we are given the all clear. If it ends up being a shortened season families will get a portion of their registration back. For example, if we only have a season for 4 weeks, our intention would be that families will receive half of their registration fess back. At the end of the day, we will adjust our fees to at least match what we are able to put together for a season.

In the meantime the refund situation remains the same. For any family who wants a refund, we will give a full refund. All you need to do is emailregistrar@vernonbaseball.comwith your childs name that was registered and we will process refunds weekly.

Again, we truly appreciate your understanding and support during these times. I wish you and your family the best. Stay healthy. Stay safe. Play catch with your kids outside.

All the Best,

Michael Sanfilippo
President
Vernon Baseball Association

Vernon Baseball in coordination with School District 22 is pleased to announce the launch of the Baseball Academy to be held during the 2020 Fall Semester and running weekly through January 2021 for high school students in grades 8-12.

View Brochure | View Facts | View Schedule

Space is limited to 12-14 players, so anyone interested should contact VBA President Michael Sanfilippo right away at president@vernonbaseball.com for more detailed information.

2020 SPRING BALL REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Register now for the following divisions

7U T-Ball
9U Tadpole
11U Mosquito
13U Pee Wee A & Pee Wee AA *See Below for Pee Wee AA details
15U Bantam A & Bantam A Summer All Star Team **See Below for Summer All-Star details
18U Midget AA

Registrations will be accepted until divisions are full or until March 15th at which time all additional registrations will be placed on a wait list and only accepted as space is available.

* Pee Wee 13U ‘AA’ :
The registration for the ‘AA’ squad closes at the end of January. Nathan Lee and Derek Murray will be heading up this team. ‘AA’ evaluations may start as early as March in the batting cage and then move to the fields, more information will be sent out as the schedule is finalized. Any players who register for the ‘AA’ team and do not make the team will be refunded the extra fees and will be automatically registered for ‘A’ play. Click here for more information.

** Bantam ‘A’ Summer All-Star team :
*You must register separately for both the Spring Season and the Summer All-Star Season NOW * Players that register for the Summer All Star team but do not make it will be reimbursed.
If you are wanting to tryout for the Bantam A Summer All-Star team, please click here for detailed information from Head Coach Lance Johnson.

7U T-Ball
9U Tadpole
11U Mosquito
13U PeeWee A
15U Bantam A
18U Midget AA

Attention all 2020 season Midget AAA (2002-2004) and PeeWee AA (2007-2008) aged players. Its Vernon Baseballs intent to field 18U AAA Midget and 13U AA PeeWee next season. BC Baseballs rules now have these divisions playing a single season from April August long weekend and associations must commit to their ability to field a team in early February.

Therefore, players interested in trying out for either the 18U AAA Midget or 13U AA PeeWee Teams, must register by January 31st, 2020. Registration is now open for these two teams. Please be advised that payment in full by credit card is required. Alternative arrangements can be made by emailing Shannon Sanfilippo at registrar@vernonbaseball.com or if you are unable to register on-line. Any general questions regarding the 18U AAA Midget Team can be emailed to Dennis Gehrmann or Neil Thompson at midget@vernonbaseball.com and for the 13U AA to Nathan Lee or Rob Holmes at peewee@vernonbaseball.com

REGISTRATION CLOSED

The Okanagan College Coyotes baseball team is happy to announce the dates for their annual Vernon Winterball program held in January and February each year. This program will be hosted in the Vernon Toyota Indoor Soccer Center

The annual Winterball program has been a huge success over the years in the Okanagan, it is a chance to be on field with the Coyotes team before the season begins. With lots of instruction on pitching, throwing, infielding, outfielding, hitting and much more

Dates for this program are Tuesdays from 5:30pm-7:00pm, January 7,14,21,28, February 4,11,25. There is no practice on February 18th as the team is away in Las Vegas and Phoenix for their annual trip to kick off their season.

We are hosting, Mosquito (11U), Peewee (13U), and Bantam Midget age groups. Players will be grouped by age.

There is limited space for each age group (16) so get signed up and get prepared for a great spring and summer on the baseball field.

The Coyotes have been a leader in player development in the Central interior. With their first player drafted to the MLB in 2019, to winning a National Championship in 2018. The Coyotes have been one of the top College baseball teams year in and year out.

REGISTER NOW

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH 7:00 PM
PRESTIGE HOTEL-VERNON SALON

ALL MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. 2019 SEASON REGISTRANTS ARE ENTITLED TO 1 VOTE PER FAMILY. MUST BE 19 OR OLDER TO VOTE.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF VACANT POSITIONS OPEN TO INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS: SECRETARY, TREASURER, MIDGET DIRECTOR, BANTAM DIRECTOR, TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR, PEE WEE DIRECTOR.

www.vernonbaseball.com

Vernon Baseball is now accepting Head Coach applications for 18U AAA/AA, 15U AA/A & 13U AAA/AA/A and 11U AAA/A teams for the 2020 season. Applications must be submitted by October 27th and final selections will be determined by November 15th, 2019. For 18U, 15U and 13U divisions, AA & AAA head coaches will be expected to run a single combined season, that includes spring & summer play. Head Coaches will also be required to help organize and run a winter training & development program, utilizing the indoor facility at Marshall, in coordination with the Division Director that begins no later than Mid-January.

Vernon Baseball will also select Summer Ball Head Coaches for 15U A, 13U A, 11U AAA & A (10 year old players only) and 9U using the same application process & timeline where applicable. Head Coaches for these teams will be expected to begin organizing and holding development practices by early April. These head coaches will also be strongly encouraged to help organize and run a winter training & development program, utilizing the new indoor facility at Marshall, in coordination with the Division Director that starts well before the Vernon spring season.

Vernon Baseball is committed to ensure that coaches have the support needed to develop strong programs. This will allow them to be competitive, continue to develop the kids and have a realistic chance of winning games with the goal of being Provincial Champions. Their teams will have to play in Tournaments over the course of spring & summer and have the opportunity to make trips to the coast for tournaments as well. The BLE, VOC and Coastal tournaments draw better competition and are just an example of the tournaments that are available. These tournaments need to be registered & paid for in Jan/Feb/March, so coaches need to have a plan early in the new year. They are great team building events for players and parents and are supported by Vernon Baseball.

Click Here for a direct link to the coaching application

ITS OFFICIAL – The Big League Experience will be running an all inclusive Girls camp in the Beautiful sunny Okanagan from July 28 August 2. Since 1960 the boys have had the opportunity to take part in what many considered one of the best developmental Baseball Camps in North America. A residential baseball camp in the Beautiful Sunny South Okanagan (Oliver, B.C.), and the opportunity to work with some of the best coaches the game has to offer. Its now time the girls take over the fields for a week and become part of the BLE tradition.

Click Here for More Information and to register