RGSA Members

The RGSA Executive has again been monitoring the situation with the goal of building a return-to-play plan that we believe will allow us to have some form of a softball season while maintaining all the precautions required to ensure that we minimize the risk to all players, parents, and coaches. The RGSA Executive do have most of the steps completed so we are authorized by Softball BC to hold practices for registered teams.  

In the spirit of honoring and respecting the new provincial health standards around physical distancing and providing you a safe environment for your player, team coaches, umpires, volunteers, parents, and spectators (currently in 2021 no spectators are allowed), you will see many changes used in 2020 of how we use the facilities, bleachers, dugouts, washrooms, concession (if open), the softball diamonds and equipment are back but most of the game will be the same.

Remember that different ages have different protocols so some parents will be present in U6 and U8 as training partners for their children and they are not spectators. Besides the coaching staff and managers teams will have when we get to any games five extra volunteer positions: Team Screener, Team Tracker, Team First Aider, Team Distancing Monitor, and the Team Sanitation Champion.

Lots of Hand sanitizing, equipment and structure cleaning & disinfection, no sharing of gear or high fives for good plays or skill assessments, but hopefully a place out of the house where softball team friends can talk and cheer but stay safely distanced apart. Face masks on the field of play are not mandatory but strongly recommended to all players, coaches, umpires, volunteers, and as well as any parents dropping off or picking up their children.

When do we start?

Diamonds are available for practice for players U10 age group and older. Training skills for U8 age group and younger starts April 10 if all the registration is complete for your player and her team. Coaches will notify players and / or their parents when these practices and skill development sessions will start.    

BUT all players, coaches, volunteers, and parent helpers will be required to sign waivers and agreements of understanding specifically related to Covid-19. Signing these forms is mandatory. Without a signed waiver, players will not be allowed to participate in any Softball BC sanctioned events, including practices. Note that you will need to sign a waiver not just for your daughter but also for any parent volunteer who plans to be on the field. There is one important caveat regarding these waivers and the insurance we get through Softball BC:  There is no insurance coverage for Covid-19 related issues. This goes for the executive, coaches, volunteers, players, and parents. It is for this reason that we must have the various waivers. You must be aware that there is an added risk now for playing any sport. RGSA will do everything it can to plan for a safe environment, but we will need everyone’s help in the process.

Just like the players, if you are volunteering please use the registration button on the rgsa.ca website and it will take you thru the waivers.  Coaches have an additional screening form to complete as well as a CRC. 

What can I expect from the season?

• We are mandated by SBBC to practice and perform skill development at all levels in Inning One. During these practices we will not only practice softball but practice the safety protocols around COVID 19. This is a time to get used to the process and be consistent when we have the opportunity to play games.

• Before every event, there will be attendance with contact info taken and recorded as well as screening questions asked of every player, coach, umpire, and volunteer. The answers to these screening questions and contact info will be retained by RGSA for a period of time to help contact trace people should anyone at the event be diagnosed with Covid-19 at a later date. Players and Coaches will sit with a few players in the dugout and most players sitting in the bleachers on designated marked locations. 

• Spectators are currently not permitted but if this changes they will need to bring their own camp chairs.

• At all times there will be mandatory physical distancing of 2 meters on and off the field - details can be found in the RTP document.

• We would like for players U10 to Adult to play a several week multi-game season with one, or possibly two, games or practices per week with some maybe on weekends - this is still to be determined depending on Richmond teams registering. Games might be with teams in your age group or the adjacent age groups with some rule tweaking.

• Games must be with Richmond-based teams first and later near the end of the season venturing into possible interlock with an adjoining association such as Vancouver or Delta.

• Similar to 2020, if the Provincials are not possible Softball BC plans an end-of-season regional event later in the season with the date TBA, but details are still to come.

Now that things are moving, I will do my best to keep you updated with the latest news. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to drop me an e-mail and I will do my best to answer your questions.

Al Groff