The following information is on a “planned” Kino Baseball Fall League season. The season is predicated on directives and orders from state and local governments. The plan is to have a season, but it must be understood that the league will only move forward providing conditions will allow for the priority of the safety and health of all participants and approval with field permits from the county and city.
COVID 19 MITIGATION PRACTICES
The Kino Baseball League has currently posted its safety and health plan as it relates to COVID19 as well as the Pima County resolution regarding face coverings. This plan is a working document and revisions and updates will occur as we go through this period of mitigation in a safe and positive manner that will permit for the priority of the safety and health of the players, coaches and spectators that participate in the Kino Fall League. It is fully expected that all teams that play the Kino Fall League will adhere to the requirements and recommendations of the safety and health plan for players, coach, and spectators no exceptions.
In order to maintain as much routine that can be accomplished during this time, spectators are required to follow the Pima County resolution regarding face coverings when in public place and cannot maintain a continuous physical distance of at least 6 feet from all other persons.
It is understood that families have the option of either participating or not participating.
Strongly recommended that each team develops their own safety and health mitigation plans.
NARRATIVE
The following are team entry requirements and policies for teams to review before they decide to enter a team in the 2020 Kino Baseball Fall League program.
The policies and requirements that are outlined are to ensure that the players, coach, and parents fully understand to what the expectations are for competing in the Kino Baseball Fall League.
The Kino Baseball League reserves the right not to accept any team that does not meet these requirements.
FALL LEAGUE DEFINITION
The Kino Baseball Fall League is a competitive program for age divisions 10U through to 15U. The Kino Fall League is NOT a recreational or developmental type of league. The teams that participate in the league are mainly experienced players and teams. Teams that have not played in a competitive environment may want to re-consider before entering the Kino Fall League.
If you have a team that is looking for development, then possibly the Little League Fall Training and Development (TAD) program may be best suited for your players.
We wish to assure that every young athlete has the opportunity to play at the skill level that they are comfortable with the ability to enjoy playing the game. Nothing is worse than having a team that needs further development playing in a division with teams that have more playing experience in a competitive setting. The results are never positive.
Teams that play in the Kino Baseball Fall League play for championships.
SEASON CALENDAR
The Fall season game scheduled will be modified this year due to the COVID-19 to include:
8 game regular season + Post season playoff= 9 games minimum
Post season playoff. Format to be determined.
Season calendar:
County/City permits run from September 26 through to November 15
Schedule of games and post-season may allow for season to end earlier.
Days of Play:
Weekends and possibly weeknights this fall.
Black out Dates:
Only ONE black out (weekend) permitted. If your team needs more than one black out weekend, then team will not be placed on game schedule.
Black out dates required to be sent via email by September 1, 2020
Schedule to be published and official September 12-13.
GAME SCHEDULE POLICY
The Fall league schedule calendar window is from:
All Divisions: September 26 to November 15.
Season could end earlier if there are no rain outs that affect the game schedule.
ALL SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO COVID-19.
• The number of games: 10 + Post-season tournament. Format to be determined.
Days of play: Saturdays, Sundays. Weeknights (possible)
Game Times: Day games. Weeknight games (possible)
The league understands that in the fall there are school breaks and some teams may have committed to play in a tournament., but it must be clear and understood that playing in the Kino Baseball Fall League is priority. Therefore, the following policy:
Teams will be permitted ONE (1) black out weekend. Multiple black out weekends are an inconvenience and effects other teams and the overall operation of the league as a whole. Therefore, request for multiple black out weekends the team will be placed on a waiting list before being adding to the game schedule
Black out dates are required to be submitted to the league by September 1. After this date the game scheduled will be developed and submitted to teams by September 12.
The league cannot accommodate special game times to play. EXCEPTION: The league understands that during the fall season there are players that play in the local youth football leagues. The league in the past and will once again work with those teams that have such a situation. But it must be understood that these teams are held to the same standard with only ONE black out weekend permitted.
The league does not schedule around UA football games, Little League Fall Games or any other community events.
Once the schedule is official requests to move game times will not be honored. Teams play on the game time as scheduled unless there are circumstances that the league needs to adjust based on field availability, emergencies, etc.
It is important that the coaches meet with parents to determine any dates the team cannot play before they commit to the league.
Due to the limited number of fields the league has permitted from the city and county for the fall league, once the game schedule is developed and published it becomes official.
If a team has a “situation” and needs to re-schedule a game, the league will evaluate the “situation” and determine to either approve or not approve the re-scheduling. If fields are available, the process is the requesting coach will contact the opposing team coach to get their approval. If the opposing team cannot make any of the dates available, then the team requesting the schedule change will forfeit the game.
RE-SCHEDULE GAMEL $50.00 and must be paid in full to the league prior to the request being approved. Payment can be made with credit card by contacting the league.
POST-SEASON:
There are no black-out dates permitted during the dates of the post-season play. Teams need to be available to play both Saturday and Sundays for the post-season. There are no accommodations for game days or game times during the post-season.
The format for the post-season tournament is to be determined by the league pending the number of teams that have been certified to play. Understand that the tournament format may not include every team in the division.
If a team contacts the league 72 hours or less prior to a scheduled game to cancel, the game will be a forfeit and not re-scheduled and the team will be responsible for payment of $150.00 to the league.
GAME SITES
Games will be played at various city, county and school fields throughout Tucson.
Fields are prepared prior to each game by the league field crew staff. The staff will line the field, put out the bases, and at the conclusion of each game, the field staff will collect and put away the bases. Teams will not have to do field duty. This is a cost that is included in the team’s entry fee.
Teams are required after each game to collect and throw away all debris and trash generated during the game. The league does not clean up dugouts. If a dugout is not cleaned out, the league will fine the team $50.00.
Spectators are expected to clean up and remove debris and trash in their seating area before they leave the park.
STEP 1 – TEAM INTEREST:
Coach is to email the league at kinobbl@comcast.net noting interest in what division they wish to play in. This does not guarantee a spot in the league until the following steps are accomplished:
STEP 2 – DEPOSIT
Entry Fee deposit of $250.00 received on/ore before September 1, 2020. The deposit will secure spot in the fall league.
Due to COVID19 no cash accepted. Deposit can be in the form of a check or debit/credit card.
Check is payable and mailed to:
Kino Baseball League – PO Box 89304, Tucson, Arizona 85752
Debit/credit cards are accepted over the phone by calling 520-730-2506 between the hours of 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM seven days a week. Credit card payments subject to 5% fee added to payment.
Balance of the entry fee is to be paid in full prior to the start of the season
10U and 11U Divisions: On/or before September 10, 2020
12U Wood Bat, 13U and Freshman Divisions: On/or before September 17, 2020.
ENTRY FEE
10U Division: $ 985.00
11U Division: $ 1,015.00
12U Wood Bat Division: $ 1,085.00
13U Division $ 1,140.00
Freshman (13-15 Division) $ 1,200.00
CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS ADD 5%
The entry fee covers the cost of:
Umpires, Fields, Field Equipment (bases, chalk), 2 dozen game baseballs, post-season baseballs and awards.
Entry Fee can be paid in full by cashier check, money order, one personal check, or by debit/credit card by phone.
CREDIT PAYMENT PROCESS:
Call 730-2506
7 days a week 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
REFUND POLICY:
100% refund (less cost of baseballs) if the league is cancelled prior to the start of the season by local health and municipalities.
100% refund (less cost of baseballs) if team requests on/or before September 1st.
Zero refund once the season starts. EXCEPTION: If the league is cancelled during the season the refund will be pro-rated based on the number of games remaining on a team schedule that will not be played.
With the league having to prepay upfront costs for the season, after September 1st there are no refunds of entry fees unless the league is cancelled based on safety and health conditions.
All refunds credited back to a credit card are subject to 5% fee that is charged by credit card companies as part of the transaction.
DIVISIONS
The Kino Baseball 2018 Fall League will consist of the following divisions:
10U Division
11U Division
12U Wood Bat Division
13U/80 Division
Freshman Division (league eligible ages 13 through 15)
There must a minimum of four (4) teams to sanction and schedule a league.
Freshman Division 90 foot bases/60 foot 6 inch pitching distance.
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
Age Cutoff: April 1, 2021
PLAYER PROOF OF BIRTH:
Due to COVID19 team will be required to email copies of players proof of birth for players that did not play in the league in the years 2017-18-19 with the submission to be required by the following dates:
10U and 11U Division: On/or before September 10, 2020
12U Wood Bat, 13U, Freshman Divisions : On/or before September 17, 2020
Acceptable proof of birth to include: Certificate from the state, county or city bureau of vital statistics, Department of Health, Affidavits of Birth, Hospital Certificate, School Certificate, United States Naturalization Certification, United States Passport.
Copies to be emailed (kinobbl@comcast.net) in pdf format. DO NOT TEXT COPIES OF PROOF OF BIRTH.
WAIVER:
Players that play in the league, parent/legal guardian is to complete Waiver form that is identified APPENDIX B at the end of the information document.
The waiver of each player is to be emailed to the league by the following date:
10U and 11U Division: On/or before September 19, 20202
12U Wood Bat, 13U, Freshman Divisions: On/or before September 19, 2020
No waiver submitted the player is not eligible to play until one is received by the league.
MINIMUM number of registered players on a team roster is 10.
MAXIMUM number of registered players on a team roster is 20.
The team roster form (APPENDIX “C”) is at the end of this document.
The roster form is to be signed by each parent or legal guardian verifying the player name and date of birth.
Coach is required to submit the team roster to the league via email by:
10U-11U-12U Divisions: On/or before September 19, 2020
13U and Freshman Divisions: On or before September 20, 2020
Roster is closed effective Monday, October 11th. No further players may be added to the roster.
Coaches are responsible for either email or text notification to the league when adding a player.
When entry fee deposit is received by the league, a team roster form will be emailed to the coach that is required to be completed and signed by each parent verifying the player date of birth.
Player is NOT PERMITTED to play on another team within the same age division.
Player that meets the age eligibility requirements are permitted to play on a team in a separate age division.
Player that leaves the team for any reason at any time after the season has started is not permitted nor eligible to play on any other team within the same division for remainder of the season.
There is no mandatory play in Kino Baseball League
The league does not get involved with team business such as player selection, player removal, discipline, finances, playing time, etc. These issues are between the parents and the coaches.
The league Child Abuse/Molestation Management Policy and Plan is monitored by the league in the event of a complaint received by the league. The policy is posted on the league web site www.kinobaseball.com browse “Policies.”
Banner University Medicine is the official sports medicine partner of the Kino Baseball League. Banner University Medicine and the Kino Baseball League is offering this option to families that participate in the any Kino Baseball League season a benefit of having the opportunity to have direct and expedited access to the Banner Health System.
In the event of an injury, Banner University Medicine can quickly assist your athlete scheduled for an evaluation, MRI, X-Ray, or any other healthcare need. There is no obligation to participate and there no fee associate with pre-registration process.
To assist Banner University Medicine in the expedition of your athlete’s care, it is recommended that your player pre-register in the Banner system to avoid delays in scheduling. If you would like to be pre-registered in the Banner Health System (good for any Banner Hospital in Tucson, Phoenix and Colorado, please complete the form that is listed as APPENDIX A and email to the league.
The league will forward the pre-registration form onto Banner University Medicine. Again, this is optional
DIVISION AGE LIMITATIONS
10U DIVISION
Minimum age is 8 years old.
Player is required to turn age 8 prior to April 1, 2021.
7 years of age and younger are not eligible for the 10U division.
Player that turns age 11 prior to April 1, 2021 is not eligible for the 10U Division
11U DIVISION:
Minimum age is 9 years old.
Player is required to turn age 9 prior to April 1, 2021.
8 years of age and younger are not eligible for the 11U Division.
Player that turns age 12 prior to April 1, 2021 is not eligible for the 11U Division.
12U WOOD BAT DIVISION:
Minimum age is 10 years old.
Player is required to turn age 10 prior to April 1, 2021.
9 years of age and younger are not eligible for the 12U Division.
Player that turns age 13 prior to April 1, 2021 is not eligible for the 12U Division.
13U DIVISION:
Minimum age is 11 years old.
Player is required to turn age 11 prior to April 1, 2021.
10 years of age and younger are not eligible for the 13U Division
Player that turns age 14 prior to April 1, 2021 is not eligible for the 13U Division.
FRESHMAN DIVISION (Ages 13 through 15):
Minimum age is 13 years of age. Maximum age is 15 years of age.
Player is required to turn age 13 prior to April 1, 2021.
12 years of age and younger are not eligible for the Freshman Division.
Player that turns age 16 prior to April 1, 2021 is not eligible for the Freshman Division
COACH CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Effective September 1, 2020 it is required that all managers and assistant coaches that participate in a Kino Baseball League sanctioned season must have one of the following coaching certifications.
Valid Arizona teaching certificate, Arizona coaches certificate or has completed each of the following criteria from the National Federation High Schools (NFHS) on line (nfhs.org) Level 1 Certification to include:
Fundamentals of Coaching
1st aid safety and current CPR certification
OR
Certification of having completed each of the following NFHS online (nfhs.org) FREE courses.
Concussion in Sports
Sportsmanship
Heat Illness Prevention
Protecting Students from Abuse
Bullying, Hazing and Inappropriate Behavior
Effective for the 2020 fall season, ALL coaching personnel must take the following FREE on-line certification programs through the National Federation High Schools (nfhs.org)
Bullying, Hazing & Inappropriate Behavior
Protecting Students from Abuse
COVID-19 for Coaches and Administrators
The league requires that the team manager and at minimum three (3) assistant coaches have the certifications: IMPORTANT: The requirement part 2a-2c is for only new coaches to the league that did not coach in 2017-18-19.
Requirement 3b, 3c is required of all coaches including those that coached in 2017-18-19.
These on-line courses in requirement 2 are FREE. Courses in requirement #1 there is charge that the coach pays directly to the NFHS. This requirement is for only those new coaches to the league that did not coach in the fall league in 2017-18-19.
Copies of certifications are to be scanned and emailed to the league atkinobbl@comcast.net
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION of certificates by email (kinobbl@comcast.net) due on/or before September 19, 2020.
Upon successful completion of the required coaching certification programs:
Coach is required to email to the league copies of all certifications obtained.
Upon receipt of the certifications by the league, the league in turn will email back to the coach their 2020 All Access Certification receipt that they are to download and print out to have on them during the season when they are the field.
PENALTY: Coach not meeting this standard will not be permitted to be in the dugout or on the field of play during a league game until the certification standard has been met.
NOTE:Any umpire or league official may ask a manager or coach to see their certification receipt.PENALTY:Failure to produce the certification card will result in the coach being removed from the field for the game.
INSURANCE
Teams that participate must provide the league with a Commercial General Liability certificate of insurance that names Kino Baseball League as additional insured.
Team is to email to the league the certificate of insurance on/or before SEPTEMBER 19, 2020. Team will not be certified nor permitted to play without the submission of the insurance certificate.
The league has liability insurance that covers all participating teams, the city, county and school fields that games are played on.
There is NO medical/accident insurance provided by the league for the fall season. If a player or coach gets injured during a practice or game, or in vehicular accident while go to or from practice or a game and requires medical treatment they do so on their own health care insurance and medical providers.
ZOOM MEETING SCHEDULE
Due to COVID19 there will be scheduled Zoom meetings for the purpose of reviewing the game rules and the COVID19 safety and health plan. There will be no in-person meetings conducted this fall. The schedule of Zoom Meetings will be as follows:
10U Division: Tuesday, September 8 – 7:00 PM
11U Division: Wednesday, September 9 – 7:00 PM
12U Wood Bat Division: Monday, September 14 – 7:00PM
13U Division: Tuesday, September 15 – 7:00 PM
Freshman Division: Wednesday, September 16 – 7:00 PM
Invitation with zoom link will be emailed to each team coach.
UNIFORMS
Players required to be in full baseball uniform that is defined as pants, cap and matching colored jersey with a number on the back.
Duplicate numbers permitted, but the coach on the line-up card must list letter “A” and “B” next to the corresponding duplicated numbers.
Player must have a number on the back of the jersey. Player that has no uniform number, they are not eligible to play in the game.
Coaches are to dress professionally and must wear a baseball cap, visor or sun hat when in the coach box.
LEAGUE RULES
The fall league rules will be emailed to all team managers to review with coaching staff, players and parents.
Metal bats must be BBCOR or USABat or USSSA 1.15 BPF stamped.
Bat drop -8 or heavier permitted.
FRESHMAN DIVISION:
No longer than 34 inches.
Barrel diameter may not be larger than 2 5/8”
Bat must be BBOCR certified stamp or player can use solid one- piece wood bat.
FORFEIT POLICY
Teams may start with eight (8) players.
Team that does not have minimum eight (8) players at game time will forfeit to the opposing team. There is no “grace time period” granted.
Forfeit fine: $150.00 payable to the league prior to the team’s next scheduled game.
When a game is forfeited the umpires will leave the field. The umpires will not stay and do “scrimmage” games between teams.
Team that has a player get injured or is ejected and the team is left with 8 players and there are no eligible substitutes available, the game is forfeited at that point. There is no forfeit fine assessed.
Team that requests to re-schedule a game, they will be required to pay the league $50.00 fee. The league will review any open fields and dates and will advise the requesting coach. The requesting coach will contact the opposing team coach and ask about a re-schedule. If the opposing team coach agrees, then the game will be re-scheduled. If the opposing team coach does not wish to change the game date, then the requesting team forfeits that game.
CONDUCT
Adult coaches set the example for their team when it comes to how they conduct themselves during a game. Debating or questioning calls with the umpires is part of the game, but it is how one conducts themselves during their interaction with the umpires that determines if a coach remains in the game without being ejected.
Using profane language, doing damage to equipment, kicking dirt, physical contact with an umpire, non-stop talking to the umpires regarding balls/strikes, judgment related calls, unsportsmanlike conduct of any kind are causes for an individual getting ejected from a game.
The policy of Kino Baseball League regarding conduct is as follows:
Umpires never lose a game for a team. Umpires do not care who wins or loses a game. They make calls and rulings as they in their judgment see them. They are the final say in a game.
Umpires can restrict an individual to the bench for the remainder of the game. The restricted individual is not permitted to participate in any aspect of the game. If the restricted individual continues to argue with the umpires in any form, then the individual is ejected from the game.
Manager or coach that is ejected from a game, they must immediately leave the field and go directly to the parking lot. “Out of sight, out of mind.” Failure for the ejected individual to leave the playing field immediately will result in further disciplinary action determined by the league.
Player that is ejected from a game is restricted to the bench for the remainder of the game. If the parent(s) of the ejected player are in attendance, they may take their player and leave the park. The ejected played is not permitted to sit outside the playing field with their parents or with the spectators.
SUSPENSIONS: The league will review the ejection report submitted by the umpire to determine if further disciplinary action in the form of a suspension is required.
Individual that gets ejected more than once during a season will receive an automatic minimum one (1) game suspension. Further game suspension will be determined by the league based on the umpire report.
Manager or coach that is suspended is not permitted to be at the park for the team’s next scheduled game. Stay home.
Player that is suspended is required to be in attendance at the team’s next scheduled game and sit on the bench with his teammates. If the player does not attend the game, the suspension carries over to the next game and so forth until the suspension requirement has been met.
Umpires have the authority to eject individuals after the game is over, that will require the ejected individual to not attend the team’s next game.
Ejected individuals are not to waste their time calling or emailing the league to complain about an ejection. Umpires are in charge of the game and they have full authority to control the individuals that are participating, and if in their JUDGMENT and individual’s conduct is not within the rules of sportsmanship and behavior in front of young athletes, they will get ejected from a game. No appeal, no discussions.
Any physical altercations with any individual or team whether it be on the field or in the parking lot will result in the individual(s) involved to be terminated from the league for the remainder of the season.
Any individual that displays threatening gestures or verbally threatens another coach, player, umpire, league official is terminated from the league for the remainder of the season
The league will communicate with the ejected individual via email regarding any suspensions. Failure for an individual to check their e-mail is not a reason for not knowing about the league action of suspension.
SPECTATOR CONDUCT
The permits and contracts for fields from the city, county and school districts require the league to be responsible for the safety and security of the players, coaches and spectators that attend games.
Coaches are responsible for controlling their spectators. If the umpires request coach’s intervention with any spectator, it is fully expected that the coaches will assist. Failure for a coach to assist, the umpire has full authority to eject the coach from the game.
Spectators can be ejected from the park. Failure for ejected spectator(s) to leave the park, the game will be suspended by the umpires until the ejected spectator(s) have left the park. If the ejected spectator(s) fail to leave, the law enforcement will be contacted to have the individual(s) removed from the park.
Spectator(s) can be banned from a public park if their conduct becomes a detriment to the safety and security of the players, coaches, umpires and those spectators around them.
TIMELINE SUMMARY
SEPTEMBER 1:
Deposit $250.00 due or full fee can be paid.
Black- out dates due.
ZOOM MEETINGS: (Rules and COVID Plan Review)
September 8 -7:00 PM – 10U Division
September 9 -7:00 PM – 11U Division
September 14 – 7:00 PM – 12U Wood Bat Division
September 15 – 7:00 PM – 13U Division
September 16 – 7:00 PM – Freshman Division
SEPTEMBER 7: Game Scheduled Announced
SEPTEMBER 19: Entry Fee Balance Due/Baseball Distribution
10U-11U-12U Divisions
Curtis Park – 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Entry Fee full payment due on this date before baseballs are issued.
Debit/Credit Card OR
Cashier check, money order or one personal check payable to Kino Baseball League
Cash accepted.
SEPTEMBER 20: Entry Fee Balance Due/Baseball Distribution
13U-Freshman (13-15 Division)
Curtis Park – 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Entry Fee full payment due on this date before baseballs are issued.
Debit/Credit Card OR
Cashier check, money order or one personal check payable to Kino Baseball League
Cash accepted.
SEPTEMBER 26-27: Season opens. (Subject to change due to COVID)
Banner University Medicine
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine – APPENDIX A
To assist in the expedition of your athlete’s care complete the following information and submit back to the Kino Baseball League. There is no obligation to participate and there is no fee for registering. Free benefit.
If you have questions about the pre-registration with Banner University Medicine, please contact the information listed at the bottom of this form.
ATHLETE INFORMATION
Click or tap image above to download.
PARTICIPATION WAIVER – APPENDIX B
As participant in the Kino Baseball League I acknowledge, agree and represent that I voluntarily choose to participate in the league, baseball related activities, and other activities incidental to the league organized by the Kino Baseball League.
I understand that there are risks and hazards involved in participating in the league and related activities that may result in injury and/or death to me or to other participants.
I understand that these risks and hazards include, but are not limited to, risks and hazards associated with playing conditions, equipment, other participants, and officials and risks and hazards caused by the negligence of the participants and others, including the organizers, persons assisting them, and the facilities owner.
I understand that the very nature of the game of baseball is hazardous and risky, including, but not limited to, the acts of throwing, hitting, and catching the ball, running, jumping, stretching, sliding and collisions with other players and with stationary objects all of which acts can cause serious injury to me and to other players and officials.
I understand that there may be risks and dangers that are not known to me or that are not reasonably foreseeable at this time.
I accept and acknowledge the increased risk of contracting COVID19 while participating around the league and it facilities which the league rents for sports events.
I assume all risks and liability and HEREBY RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS the Kino Baseball League, OTHER PARTICIPANTS, and any FACILITIES where the game are played.
I understand and will comply with any and all of the rules/guidelines set forth by the league(refer to kinobaseball.com/policies) and the facility owner in order to participate such as but not limited to self -assessment and agree to remain home if I have any of the CDC identifiable symptoms, physical distancing, wearing face covering, sanitization practices, game rules and field use changes/limitations.
I voluntarily accept and assume all risks or injury incurred or suffered by my player while participating in the league while attending and observing league activities or others, and while on or upon any and all facilities in which the league activities are conducted.
In consideration of accepting to participate in the Kino Baseball League, I hereby for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators agree to waive, release and absolve, indemnify, and hold harmless the Kino Baseball League and associated sponsors, their executive boards and officers and directors, and teams, the organizer, supervisors, participants and person(s) transporting me to and from this activity from any and all claims arising out of an injury to me except to the extent and in the amount covered of liability held by the Kino Baseball League.
Kino Baseball (520) 730-2506 | Tucson Arizona
