MARA COVID GUIDELINES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR BASEBALL & SOFTBALL 

1.     When exactly do I or the members of my household, including my athlete need to put on a mask?

Upon exiting your vehicle, all members, players and visitors are expected to wear a mask covering both the mouth and nose. The masks should be worn at all times in the Park, which includes the parking lots, bathrooms, concession stand visits, and walking throughout the Park.  

2.     Do I have to wear a mask or can I wear a gator?

A mask or a gator is acceptable so long as it is covering the mouth and nose.  

3.     Does my child have to wear a mask during his or her game?

Yes and No. The NC Governor’s Executive Order 180 https://governor.nc.gov/documents/executive-order-no-180 requires wearing a mask outdoors when a person is unable to consistently maintain physical distancing of six (6) feet or more. North Carolina has provided guidance on some sports and identified them as low risk to high risk. https://files.nc.gov/covid/documents/guidance/NCDHHS-Interim-Guidance-for-Youth-Amateur-Sports.pdf

The key clause in the NCDHHS guidelines is “active participation” in the sport. This requires MARA’s Board of Directors, commissioners and coaches to evaluate the age and level of play involved with the athletes for all sports MARA offers.

4.     When does my athlete need to wear a mask on a game day?

Your athlete is required to wear a mask once he/she has exited the vehicle and at any time when he/she is not actively playing on the field during a game. Masks must be worn in between innings, while waiting to bat, while standing at the fence cheering on the team, while visiting concessions and restrooms, during team meetings, and when instructed by a coach/commissioner. 

Your athlete is not required to wear a mask, but may wear a mask while: in the “on-deck circle,” at bat, running the bases, or playing a position in the field.

5.     When does my athlete need to wear a mask at practice?

Your athlete is required to wear a mask once he/she has exited the vehicle and at any time when he/she is not actively playing on the field during practice. Masks must be worn in between innings, while waiting his/her turn, while waiting to bat, during team meetings, while visiting concessions and restrooms, and when instructed by a coach/commissioner. 

Your athlete is not required to wear a mask, but may wear a mask 

at any time mask wearing is optional.

6.     Are the umpires required to wear masks?

The umpires are required to wear masks prior to the start of the game, during the coaches meeting prior to the game, in between innings, after the game, and at any time they are unable to consistently maintain six (6) feet of physical distance with the sole exception of the umpire behind home plate where mask wearing is optional. 

7.     Do the coaches wear masks?

All coaches and commissioners are required to wear masks during practices and games like the athletes.  This includes prior to, during, and following games and practices, during the coaches meeting prior to the games with the umpires, and at any time they are unable to consistently maintain six (6) feet of physical distance.  The coaches have always and will remain focused on keeping the fun in the games and practices while acting in the best interests of the MARA community. 

8.     Why are the players allowed to remove their masks while on the field, at bat, or on the bases?

Most baseball and softball games and practices can be executed in a manner in which six (6) feet of physical distance can be maintained on a consistent basis.   The potential for serious injury while wearing a mask in the field, running bases, or at bat combined with the ability to maintain six (6) feet of physical distance on a consistent basis allows for the option to wear a mask in lieu of a mandatory requirement to wear one. 

9.     Is my athlete allowed to wear a mask while at bat, running the bases or playing the field?

Yes.

10.  Why are we allowed only two (2) spectators per athlete at a game or practice?

The NC Governor’s Executive Order 180 allows for up to fifty (50) spectators at an outdoor event.  This enables MARA to allow twenty five (25) per team, which is an average of two (2) per athlete.  MARA understands many families have young children and this may pose difficulties for both parents to attend their child’s games.  Please be aware of crowds and mindful of this requirement when making decisions on attendance at games. For practices, we ask you pick-up and drop-off your athlete instead of remaining for practices. This will help reduce the number of people in the Park overall.  

11.  Will the dugouts be open?

The dugouts are closed until further notice.