Here are some things that are going to look a little different this year: (We are following guidelines implemented by the IHSAA/IHSAU, working in coordination with the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Department of Education).

• You will see signage posted stating that NO ONE should participate in games if they currently have symptoms including a temp. of 100.4 or higher or have been in contact with anyone with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis in the last 14 days.
• Use of dugouts is permitted during games ONLY (not practices). 3rd-6th grades only.
• Players are RECOMMENDED to use their OWN gloves, helmets, and bats as much as possible. This is not required.
• Players MUST bring their own water/beverage to consume during and after practices and games. No shared drinking fountains, water stations, or coolers may be used. NO sunflower seeds are allowed at practices or games. Parents can bring a cooler of drinks and food but it is NOT to be shared with anyone outside your family.
• Coaches must sanitize shared equipment before and after each practice and game.
• Players and coaches should check their temperatures BEFORE attending practices or games.
• Anyone with symptoms of illness is NOT ALLOWED to participate.
• The use of your own chairs will be strongly recommended. Fans should practice social distancing between different household units and accept personal responsibility for public health guidelines.
• Fans MUST NOT attend if they have symptoms of illness!
• Concession stand will not be available.
• If we suspect that a child is not feeling well, we reserve the right to contact their parent/guardian and they will be sent home.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation and teamwork to make this happen for our kids!

Larchwood Baseball and softball locations are the same in Larchwood. They are located off of Hwy 9 as you come into Larchwood from the south. They will be on the left hand side of the road. Once you go around the curve you will take your first left and go 2 blocks until you get to a stop sign. Turn left at the stop sign on Edgerly St. and you will see them straight ahead.

Sheldon The location is between the Sheldon High School and Sheldon Middle School (Right across from NEW Hy-Vee on Highway 18).  It is recommended that parents bring chairs; the bleachers are not that big. *Other games will be played at the Sheldon City Park. Hwy 18 across from the AT&T Store – 3^rd& 4^th grade WEST field, 5^th& 6^th grade EAST field.

Sibley Sibley ball diamonds are located at the Osceola County Fairgrounds on the west side of town. 9th street west and you have to take a little gravel path back to them.

Hull Turn on Chestnut St. from off Hwy 18. Go north 4 blocks to 4-way stop. Turn right on 3rd St. Parking lot and fields will be to your left.

Rock Valley 17^th Street.  Northeast side of town. Coming from Highway 18 heading west turn on 21^stAve. North.  Go to 17^thStreet and turn right (east) it is on the north side of town.

Inwood 2 blocks west of the swimming pool on the west side of town.

Little Rock by city park on south side of town

Doon Fields located by the Doon Community Center 207 Barton Ave.

1. 3^rd grade coach pitches-can strike out. No walks.
2. 4^th grade kid pitches, after 4 balls coach pitches. Strike out can be called & swinging. No walks.
3. 5^th & 6^th grade kids pitch.
4. Pitcher’s mound to home plate distance: boys 3^rd-6^th grade 46 feet, girls 3^rd-6^th grade 35 feet. Distance in lower grades can move up 2-3 feet if both coaches agree.
5. Bases will be 60 feet.
6. 9 players in the field at all times & everyone bats.
7. Leading off is not allowed.
8. You are allowed to steal when the ball cross home plate in 5^th& 6^th Grade, but home plate is closed.  Home plate is open when the ball is hit into play, on plays made on baserunners (DOESN’T INCLUDE THROW BACKS TO THE PITCHER), and if the bases are loaded & the batter is walked.  After a ball is hit or a play is made on a baserunner, home base is open until the ball is back to the pitcher.
9. No stealing in 3^rd& 4^th
10. Player must slide if there is a close play at any base (except 1^stbase).
11. Batter, base runner, bat boy & player acting as a base coach must wear a helmet.
12. Catchers must wear a mask, helmet chest protestor & shin guards.
13. Metal cleats are not allowed.
14. Dropped third strike the batter is out.
15. Re-entry is allowed.
16. Positional players may sub as much as needed while keeping the same batting order.
17. No new inning can start after 1 hour 15 minutes.
18. 3^rd& 4^th grade-5 runs allowed per inning. 5^th& 6^th grade-5 runs allowed per inning. 15 run rule after 4 innings.
19. Each team must keep official scorebook in case of controversies.
20. Home team must provide umps.
21. 3^rd& 4^th-1 ump per game (2 is ok if you prefer or the coach that is pitching can ump) & 5^th& 6^thgrade -2 umps per game.
22. Umpiring 16 years or older for behind the plate & 14 years or older in the field.
23. Teams that are short for players can have kids play up in age. Also kids can play down in age in an emergency but they cannot pitch & can only play down one grade level.
24. Grades 4^th-6^th, no player can pitch more that 3 innings per night.
25. Any player that pitches in any Junior High game cannot pitch in any league games.
26. To keep the schedule even, if the first game is cancelled due to weather, all of the games will be cancelled at the site only! Each game site will make its own decision. If the boy’s game is cancelled at one site, the girl’s game can still be played at the other site. Game cancellations due to weather will be decided by 4:00 pm. For thunder/lightening…Anytime a game is delayed due to lightening or rain, coaches should wait a minimum of 30 mins. from the last strike or if thunder is heard. If an on-site supervisor is not present, the coaches can make the call.
27. Sportsmanship is the very basis for all baseball/softball & baseball/softball related competition. All coaches, participants & spectators must conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. All coaches are responsible for the behavior of their team.
28. This league is designed to be fun & a learning experience involved.
29. 3^rd& 4^th grade girls will use an 11 in. softball. 5^th& 6^th grade girls will use a 12 in. ball.
30. 3^rd& 4^th grades should have an extra person behind home plate to catch missed balls.