(This is a copy of an email sent out to parents, coaches and volunteers)

BNLL Parents and Coaches-

 

The Boone National Little League (BNLL) Board would like to update everyone in regards to the 2020 season.  The BNLL Board would like to thank everyone for their flexibility, patience, and support during this unique situation and season.  Like many other people and professions, the BNLL Board has been constantly monitoring and adjusting our plans to meet the ever-changing times of COVID 19.

 

On Saturday, May 9th, BNLL received an email that drastically impacted the outlook for the upcoming season. The full text of the email is included at the end of this long, but important, document.  Below are excerpts of the email that came from District 3:

 

Under the current restrictions set forth by Governor Reynolds, we are not authorized to play… Currently, youth sports will not resume until the 4th phase of the reopening of the state…This means, we are still quite a ways from this, at this point, however, as you know, things can change day by day.

 

It also reads:

 

…There will be more mandates released very soon. While none of these are official and may change, be added to or removed, some of these items that are close to being finalized are:

 

1. No Tee-ball in 2020. No one under the age of 7 except those who have moved up to T-Shirt

should it be scheduled to play.

2. No Concessions. As these stands do not have a constant and trained staff that will all be able to assure the new sanitation guidelines, concessions will not be allowed in 2020.

3. Bathrooms must be monitored at all times while open. There will be no more than 1 person in at a time and the restrooms must be sanitized between each occupant.

4. Players will not stay in the dugout. Parents must sit in groups no more than 10 and only of the same family. Families must sit at least 6′ apart. The players while on the bench or not in the field will need to sit with their families.

5. Leagues may NOT provide beverages. Players and parents must bring their own and may not share with other children or players.

6. Handwashing stations and sanitizer must be available at each dugout and each game and must be maintained by volunteers on duty.

7. Umpires will not stand behind the catcher. They will be 6′ approximately from the pitcher’s mound (circle) and call balls and strikes and outs from there.

 

It continues:

 

The District Administrators, with the approval of the Central Region, recommend strongly an additional postponement of all activities until June 1.

 

Based on the requirements in this email, along with the results from the survey that went out a few weeks ago, the BNLL Board discussed many different options and possibilities of a 2020 season.  After two plus hours of discussions, the BNLL Board has voted to CANCEL the 2020 season.  Please understand that this decision was not made easily and we spent a week trying to determine different options to meet those guidelines. The BNLL Board wants to express to each parent, coach and especially the players the disappointment of this vote.

 

Will BNLL issue refunds? Yes.

 

Our ask: As a non-profit, BNLL’s expenses equal the total amount of revenue we generate from fundraisers, the concession stand, business donations, and registrations. BNLL reinvests every dollar to provide the  best experience for the players and their families.

 

The BNLL Board wants to be open and transparent on the impact refunds will have on BNLL moving forward.  Like many other businesses and organizations, this unexpected situation will not shut us down, but it will impact us drastically.  Revenue for BNLL is typically provided in four ways: candy bar fundraiser in the spring, concession stand, business donations, and registrations.  Without any of these, BNLL will have to use money set aside to pay for the expenses we incur throughout the year.  Those expenses would include any contracts that were agreed to previously (mowing, fertilizing, etc), orders that were previously made (chalk, diamond dry, etc), internet and electricity to name a few.  Over the last three years, advanced planning has allowed BNLL to purchase a field groomer and this year, money had been set aside to work on Field 5.  New dugouts, field drainage, resurfacing, and lighting to host Friday night doubleheaders were slated to be completed before the season started. That project would benefit the current baseball players who would use that field this year, and also benefit the numerous boys in Minors, T-Shirts, and T-Ball.  Due to the uncertainty of the current situation and businesses not being able to work, that project has been put on hold.

 

If refunds need to be issued to all players, the project mentioned above, as well as other projects being discussed (new scoreboard for Field 4 and possible resurfacing for Fields 1 and 4) will not happen anytime soon.  Please understand the number of refunds issued will have a direct impact on the quality of the product moving forward for the next several years until we are able to feel that we can proceed financially with these projects again.

 

BNLL understands that everyone is in a different situation.  We understand with the economy as it stands many people will ask for a refund to help their current situation.  However, if you are in a situation that will allow BNLL to keep your player’s registration for this year, it will be utilized to benefit your child’s experience in future years.  BNLL will consider any registration fees not returned as donations and will provide the necessary paperwork for tax purposes.

 

For those of you who will be asking for a refund, BNLL is asking you to e-mail info@boonell.com.  Please provide the following information:

• Players Name

• Parents Name

• Address where refund check is to be mailed

BNLL uses a system called SportsConnect to process all registrations.  The site allows us to quickly move players to teams as well as build schedules.  It allows us to communicate with parents and coaches easily.  However, it is not perfect.  SportsConnect allows us to issue refunds to cards only if there is money in our SportsConnect account.  Since registration has been closed for well over two months, all of the money in our SportsConnect account has been moved over to our normal bank account.  Therefore, we can not issue refunds directly to the cards that were used to register players. SportsConnect also charges fees, taken directly out of your registration as a way to pay for the services they provide.  Due to these fees already being taken out, BNLL will be withholding $5 per player to cover the costs associated with SportsConnect.

 

While there is not going to be a season this year, there are things BNLL would like you to consider throughout the summer.   BNLL will attempt to provide different drills for players to work on.  These will either be sent by e-mail or posted to our website (www.boonell.com).  Please consider doing some baseball drills or playing catch with your kids.  We also ask that, if possible, you support the numerous businesses that continue to support BNLL.  Those businesses can be found on our  website as well.  They are another source of revenue for BNLL and we would like to support them as much as possible.  Finally, please consider joining the Little League Board.  We are always looking for volunteers to assist in the planning of upcoming seasons.  If you feel you have ideas and input that would better the experience for the players of BNLL, send an e-mail to info@boonell.com  and a current board member will reach out to you.

 

In conclusion, we will leave you with these words from the fictional character of Terrance Mann, played by James Earl Jones, in the great baseball movie Field of Dreams:

        “Ray, people will come Ray.  They’ll come to Iowa for reasons they can’t even fathom.  They’ll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they’re doing it.  They’ll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past.  Of course, we won’t mind if you look around, you’ll say.  It’s only $20 per person.  They’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack.  And they’ll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon.  They’ll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes.  And they’ll watch the game and it’ll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters.  The memories will be so thick they’ll have to brush them away from their faces.  People will come Ray.  The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball.  America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers.  It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again.  But baseball has marked the time.  This field, this game; it’s a part of our past, Ray.  It reminds us of all that once was good and it could be again.  Oh….people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.”

 

We hope you respect and understand the difficulty we had reaching this decision. We look forward to “all that once was good and it WILL be again. People will come Ray. People will most definitely come”.

 

Sincerely,

Boone National Little League Board

(original email attached below)

 

Date: Sat, May 9, 2020 at 12:22 AM

Subject: Current Update on Little League Play in Iowa

To: Richard Lennon <richardlennon@boonell.com>

Rich and Board of the BNLL,

All any of us District Leaders want is to hear the crack of the bat, pop of a mitt, the players cheering each other on, and see the smiles on their face.

Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to do so. The safety of all players and volunteers are at the forefront of any and all decisions.

Decisions aren’t being made without proper education, and research. We have reached out to countless governing bodies, local municipalities, and health care providers. All came back with the same message, it’s just not safe to play currently.

Under the current restrictions set forth by Governor Reynolds, we are not authorized to play.

We do not know where the restrictions will be in the near or far future. Currently, youth sports will not resume until the 4th phase of the reopening of the state. This is the final phase of reopening, which corresponds with the reopening of schools and the reopening of nursing homes. This means, we are still quite a ways from this at this point, however, as you know, things can change day by day. We will continue to stay in close contact with our contacts at the Governor’s office, local emergency management and Little League Inc. What we do know is we will continue to make the most educated decision that is in the best interest of the players, volunteers, and communities in which they reside.

Little League has recently released the first of a series of mandates that must be completed before teams can meet or have practices. https://www.littleleague.org/player-safety/coronavirus-update/season-resumption-guide/. This resumption guide must be completed by each league and returned to the District Administrator should the league choose to have a season in 2020. There will be more mandates released very soon which you will be able to find on the link above. While none of these are official and may change, be added to or removed, some of these items that are close to being finalized are:

1. No Tee-ball in 2020. No one under the age of 7 except those who have moved up to T-Shirt would be scheduled to play.

2. No Concessions. As these stands do not have a constant and trained staff that will all be able to assure the new sanitation guidelines, concessions will not be allowed in 2020.

3. Bathrooms must be monitored at all times while open. There will be no more than 1 person in at a time and the restrooms must be sanitized between each occupant.

4. Players will not stay in the dugout. Parents must sit in groups no more than 10 and only of the same family. Families must sit at least 6′ apart. The players while on the bench or not in the field will need to sit with their families.

5. Leagues may NOT provide beverages. Players and parents must bring their own and may not share with other children or players.

6. Handwashing stations and sanitizer must be available at each dugout and each game and must be maintained by volunteers on duty.

7. Umpires will not stand behind the catcher. They will be 6′ approximately from the pitchers mound (circle) and call balls and strikes and outs from there.

Financially, Little League has made the announcement that ALL Charter Fees, whether games are played or not will be credited to your Little League account for next season. In addition, if no season is played, Little League will be pro-rating the years insurance to the league as well.

As NONE of these things above are 100% at this time, These are the most likely scenarios and there may be additional items added. As there are many things still up in the air, items to be prepared, and regulations still to be lifted by the State of Iowa, The District Administrators, with the approval of Central Region, recommend strongly an additional postponement of all activities until June 1. We will take this time to collect more information, and compile ways to move forward with the season. If your league chooses not to move forward with a season in 2020, you will need to report this to the District Administrator in writing. If you choose to move forward for now, please get started with the Resumption Guide after watching the webinar. This will get you up and moving as soon as we possibly can. Remember, this must be completed prior to any gatherings or practice with the players and teams.

Please remember, this isn’t an easy decision for anyone. We would all love to have the kids on the fields, but safety has been, and will always be our number one priority.

Thank you, and stay safe.

Little League Iowa District 3