The Georgia High School Association fast-pitch softball teams will be the first to step up to the plate against the COVID-19 virus issue. GHSA sent out a set of
modification and considerations to all schools athletic directors that should be consider before teams throw the first pitch of the season. Fast-pitch softball will be the first sport to take the field to play an official game on August 6, 2020 in this coronavirus pandemic.
The considerations and modifications range from no concession stands, social distancing by spectators, players only using their own equipment, sanitizing softballs, umpires’ regulations, and more. Below is the list of modifications and considerations to make the games safe for all. These are not mandatory but are ways of keeping all participants and spectators from COVID-19 shutting down the season. It’s just some food for thought. Let’s play ball the safe way and batter up!
GHSA SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SOFTBALL RULES MODIFICATIONS
The considerations outlined in this document are meant to decrease potential exposure to respiratory droplets by encouraging social distancing, limiting participation in administrative tasks to essential personnel and allowing for appropriate protective equipment during practice and competition.
1. Host School Responsibility
*Public concession stands are prohibited.
*Host schools shall provide hand sanitizer for both schools.
*Host schools shall enforce social distancing requirements in spectator areas.
*Host schools shall provide a sufficient number of balls that allow for sanitation of the game balls after the third out of each inning
2. Player Equipment
*Face Shields are permitted to be plastic shields if they are integrated into the fielding face mask, catching helmet, or batting helmet. The face shield shall be clear without tint.
*Cloth facial masks are recommended, but not mandatory. If worn they must be of a single color, without insignias or lettering. Pitchers shall not wear a facial mask that is any tint of yellow.
*Players shall use their own gloves, helmets, and bats as much as possible.
*Players shall use their own water/beverage bottles (sharing these items is prohibited).
*Sunflower seeds are prohibited in the dugout and on the field.
*Player/team equipment shall be sanitized before and after each practice/game.
3. Bench and Field Precautions
*Players are not allowed to exit the dugout to congratulate teammates after a home run.
*Team huddles without physical distancing are prohibited.
*A charged defensive conference shall be conducted on the outer edge of the pitching circle maintaining physical distancing.
*Physical distancing (6 ft.) requirements shall be maintained in both dugouts, and may extend the dugout into a clearly marked “out of play” area.
*Pitchers are prohibited from licking fingers, touching any part of their hands to the mouth, or blowing into their hands prior to delivering a pitch. NOTE: Any violation of this policy shall be called a “dead ball” immediately, the ball shall be sanitized, and the pitcher’s hand shall be sanitized before play resumes.
4. Coaches & Umpires
*The pregame conference is limited to one coach from each team and the umpires. Coaches shall remain outside the batter’s box nearest their dugout, and umpires shall be behind the catcher’s box to exchange lineup cards.
*Substitutions shall be made with physical distancing to umpires 
and scorekeepers.
- *Umpires are encouraged to wear face shields and sanitation gloves.
- Coaches who request a timeout to discuss a ruling on the field, or to make a substitution, shall maintain physical distancing from the umpire(s).*Base coaches shall maintain physical distancing to base runners at all times.
*The plate umpire shall be positioned deeper than normal to call balls and strikes.
*Base umpires shall maintain physical distancing from any players in the starting positions and during rotations.
*The catcher and batter shall maintain physical distancing while the umpire dusts off home plate.
Photos from GHSA.net/Effingham County High School/Birk Herrath Photograpy
