Unfortunately the FLL board has made the tough decision to not hold the traditional Opening Day Parade and Ceremony this season. We will still utilize Saturday, May 1st to begin the season by scheduling games at the fields but due to current MDHHS recommendations regarding outdoor gatherings we felt that we could not abide by current gathering restrictions (300 people) and maintain appropriate social distancing given the expected number of participants (1000+ people). While this is very disappointing given the tradition involved we felt that this was in the best interest of the community from a safety perspective.
We also discussed our safety procedures since practices will be starting in the next couple of weeks. To follow current MDHHS recommendations we will ask that kids wear masks when they are unable to socially distance, such as when they are in the dugouts together, but will not require them to be worn when on the field. Of course we will not restrict this so if a player feels that they want to wear a mask while on the field they are welcome to do so as long as it does not present a safety concern (ie. obstruct vision). For players that are age 13 and up we are seeking guidance from the district administration on how to proceed to meet the current testing requirements put in place by the state. Once we have that guidance we will communicate with those age groups.
While we recognize that not everything is ideal we are still excited to move forward with a season and provide an opportunity for the kids to participate in sports. If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to contact your division director or anyone on the league board.