From WSJ Staff Reports
Youth Spring Baseball and Softball registration continues through Sunday, Feb. 28, for boys ages 5-17 and girls ages 5-15. A participant’s eligibility is determined by his or her age on April 30, 2021, and a birth certificate is required for new participants. The in-town registration fee is $60 and the out-of-town fee is $100.
Online registration is available at http://bit.ly/WFSpringBaseball. Team placement and draft information, along with additional registration details and league rules are also be provided online and at the Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road.
Team practices will begin in March and games will be played through mid-June.
Due to the ever-evolving situation surrounding COVID-19, Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources-sponsored athletic programs are subject to change with limited notice. Wake Forest officials will continue to closely monitor updates and follow guidelines from the Wake County Health Department, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHSS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These guidelines have been implemented in protocols established by the Town to address potential exposure to the coronavirus and protect our community and staff.
Community health and safety is the top priority for the PRCR Department. Once practices and games begin, several precautionary measures will be taken to protect players, coaches and parents:
- The PRCR Department will not host team placement events but will instead assign all players to their respective teams.
- All coaches, parents and children will be encouraged to be no closer than six feet apart at any time;
- Participants will be encouraged to have no physical contact of any kind, including high-fives, handshakes, and face-to-face conversations;
- Procedures will be in place to limit use of the dugout areas during games;
- Bleachers will be closed to spectators but may be used for player seating. Spectators will be encouraged to bring their own chairs;
- Players will not be permitted to share any equipment. Parents will be required to sanitize all of their players’ equipment before every practice and game. Participants will be expected to provide their own batting helmet and bat that meets the specifications of their respective age group;
- If children are showing symptoms of sickness, they will not be allowed to practice or play during games;
- In accordance with NC High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) protocols, all participants, including players and coaches, will be required to wear face coverings during practices and games;
- Practices will be shorter than normal. If a team uses the first-base dugout in the first practice, the next group will be encouraged to use the third-base dugout;
- Until NCDHHS restrictions on the number of people allowed to attend outdoor events are lifted, only one spectator per player will be allowed to attend scheduled team events, including practices and games.
For more information, contact Athletics & Aquatics Superintendent Edward Austin at 919-435-9562 or eaustin@wakeforestnc.gov.
