American Legion gearing up for June 1 start

Teams from across the area will be allowed to officially resume baseball starting June 1, and the state’s American Legion is among the organizations preparing for the season.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, athletes and organizations across the state have been waiting for this day since sports were shut down around the world in March.

“They voted unanimously to have American Legion baseball, so we’ll be playing American Legion baseball at this time,” American Legion baseball state chairman Jeral Howard said. “We’re just now getting them lined out (with) insurance and so forth, but we will be playing, and it was voted to play somewhere between 45-60 teams.”

Strict measures have been developed and will be put into place for the health and safety of the players and everyone involved with the teams.

“They’re getting their insurance, (and) they’re practicing,” Howard

explained. “As far as team play, they have to wear their (masks). … Players in the dugout and not on the field must wear a mask. Staff and coaches all have to wear masks all the time now. The players do not have to wear masks while they’re on the field playing. … All fans and staff, including myself, in the press boxes or wherever we’re at, we have to wear a mask the entire time.

“We will have to check (players) when they come to the ballpark. We’ll have to take temperatures, and I’ve already stressed to all of our coaches that they need to get a testing machine.”

Howard is anticipating that another new change will be made allowing coaches to instruct players on the field at first and third base without having to wear a mask.

Fans will also play a vital part in keeping sporting events safe, and the organization asks that everyone follow the guidelines set forth by the governor.

“We have to sit them six feet apart in the stands; we may move them down the baselines or whatever, but we’ve got to keep that distance,” Howard explained. “We’ve got to follow every guideline that the governor passes, and that’s going to be a challenge, but we’re going to have to do it. If you come to any of the ballparks of anybody, you’re going to have to have a mask to wear inside the ballpark once you go through the gate.”

Hot Springs Village will not be fielding a team this season, but Lake Hamilton will have two teams with Wolves coach Matthew Weigand at the helm. Howard said that he anticipates that will “pull a lot of those players in there.”

Howard said that this reality will come with some new things for everyone involved.

“Get you some masks because if you go to the ballpark, you’ll have to have a mask on — all adults and all kids,” he added. “It’s a new deal for all of us. I’m 72 years old going into something I’ve never done before. … This is a new life we’re doing.”