The crack of the bat could soon return to Vancouver Island ball parks as amateur sports leagues prepare to say “play ball”
“The rumour right now is July 1st we could start playing,” said the president of Langford Fastball Kris Walushka.
Like most amateur leagues, they were waiting for guidelines from Softball BC. And on Tuesday, the guidelines came. The new rules include medical screening, frequent sanitization and all spectators must give their contact information.
“There’s people that are just gung ho and want to get out there. Obviously all the kids just want to play,” said Walushka.
For other sports where physical distancing isn’t a reality, like hockey and football, their return could be more complicated. The province has tasked organizations like viaSport to put return-to-play guidelines in place.
“The government has passed an order protecting all of these associations from any litigation as a result of COVID-19,” said Premier John Horgan.
It comes as organizations are continuously being turned away by insurance companies, and while the order will provide some relief, it will no longer be in place once the province lifts the state of emergency.
“I don’t think they’re in the business of paying out too much money. Whatever exclusions that will be part of our insurance package through BC soccer, I’m sure there will be some sort of COVID line there in the fine print saying it’s not covered,” said the director of the Vancouver Island Soccer League, Vince Greco.
Greco hopes his league can resume play by Aug. 1.
Ben Nesbit
