2022 Season Update: The health and safety of our players, coaches, families, and umpires are always our #1 priority.  While we are hopeful COVID will be firmly in our rearview mirror, we will be prepared to implement any or all health and safety protocols utilized in 2020 and 2021 if conditions require us to do so. We will further assess and publish guidelines as 2022 baseball activities get closer.

2021 Protocols

WHYBL is excited to bring spring baseball back to the West Hartford community, with some health and safety guidelines required by state and local health officials to help us keep our players, coaches, umpires and spectators safe throughout the season. Please read the following rules for participation that will apply for the 2021 Spring Baseball season. We appreciate your help and partnership in adhering to these rules and protocols. These guidelines are subject to change, as we continue work with officials through our spring season. 

General Guidelines

1. Hand sanitizer/wipes will be available at the fields.

2. All unvaccinated people must wear a mask entering the ballfield/athletic complex.

3. On-field pre-game warm-ups are limited to no more than 60 minutes.

4. Each team will use their own set of game balls while on defense and keep them throughout the game. 

5. Parents/guardians are required to monitor their player for the symptoms below prior to each practice, game, or other team event. Coaches, staff, umpires and volunteers must self-monitor. Anyone who is sick, or exhibiting any of the following symptoms, is required to stay home: chills, cough, fatigue, nasal congestion/runny nose, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, fever (temperature of 100°F or higher), shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.

6. Quarantines: If a player, coach, volunteer or umpire has been identified as a close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, WHYBL is following these CDC guidelines for quarantines: CDC - Quarantines

7. Anyone missing practice or a game due to COVID-19-related illness or symptoms please email  with symptoms and onset date.

8. Any player, family member, umpire, coach or league official who tests positive for COVID- 19, or is required to quarantine, is required to immediately notify WHYBL Safety Officer Liz Davidson (860.982.8647) and follow state testing and tracing protocols.

 Guidelines for Players

1. Social distancing on the bench/dugout/sidelines must be adhered to, per DPH guidelines. Dugouts will be open, but players should spread out at least 6' apart in them and down the sidelines for practices and games (bring your own chair).

2. For Minor and Majors: Players must wear masks in the dugout and on the sidelines, but are not required (optional) to wear masks while actively participating in a game.

3. For Instructional and Training League: Players must wear masks at all times. Coaches will coodinate mask breaks if needed.

4. There will be no sharing of equipment by players. Players shall handle their equipment only and keep it stored on the sidelines near their chair/bag. The following is a list of equipment and supplies required for each practice and game:

Batting helmet

Baseball bat (labeled USABat)

Baseball glove

Baseball cap labeled with name of player

Water bottle labeled with name of player

Recommended: Chair (not all players will fit in dugouts as players socially distance)

​5. Please arrive at the time given to you by the team’s Manager for all scheduled games and practices. Do not arrive early.

6. No handshakes, high-fives or fist bumps between players, coaches and/or umpires. A cap tip or other fun, non-contact acknowledgment will be used to display teammate support and/or good sportsmanship after each game.

7. No food, seeds, gum or spitting.

8. When social distancing is not possible during dead ball situations, players must wear masks, this includes meetings at the mound.

Guidelines for Coaches

1. All unvaccinated coaches must wear masks on and off the field.

2. All coaches and volunteers must self-monitor for symptoms as described above.

3. Pregame plate meetings, if necessary, will be limited to one manager or coach from each team and the umpire. All participants will maintain social distancing.

4. Player and coach attendance will be taken (and maintained) by managers at all games and practices.

5. Coaches in quarantine for any reason cannot participate in any games or practices until the quarantine is over.

Guidelines for Umpires

1. There will only be one umpire per game in the Minor Leagues who will call the game from behind the mound.

3. All WHYBL unvaccinated umpires must wear a mask, follow distancing rules and self-monitor for symptoms as described above.

Guidelines for Spectators

WHYBL families should follow current state rules and guidelines.