The crack of bats and the cheers of youngsters will soon be returning to Pilot Mountain baseball fields as the East Surry Little League prepares to begin play.
Practices are underway with games scheduled to begin on Monday, June 29. Traditional opening day ceremonies, which normally attract a large gathering, will not be held this year.
According to East Surry Little League board member and coach Adam Cardin, sign-ups for the season had been completed and practices were underway before plans for the season were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We needed to pause, but we were ready to pick back up and continue as soon as we received the go-ahead for baseball to safely resume,” he said.
Cardin said that go-ahead has been received from N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary and Dr. Mandy K. Cohen.
Cardin noted that several safety measures are being incorporated for all children. A limit of three players will be in the dugout with spacing between each. Outside the dugout, bat bags will mark spacing for players at 6-feet intervals. On the field, he noted, the nature of the game encourages spacing.
Sanitizing spray will be used in dugouts and each player will bring their own drink to be kept in their own bag. There will be no sharing from water coolers.
Parents were asked to take part in a preseason survey and Cardin notes an atmosphere of excitement with both adults and youngsters.
“It’s great that our youth are going to have a chance to get back outside and participate in athletics,” Cardin said. “They need to enjoy some summertime fun more than anyone. They miss being outside and seeing their friends. We’re seeing the smiles on their faces, and they’re looking forward to getting started.”
Source: https://www.mtairynews.com
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