There is no higher priority to us than the safety and health of our JGSA and Dragon Select athletes, families, and friends. The Johnston Girls Softball Association (JGSA) Board has continued to actively and closely monitor the spread of COVID-19. Based on recommendations from the Governor of Iowa and other state and local health professionals, the Board has revised its previous anticipated start date and now expects its Rec season to begin June 22. While this date still remains subject to change, the JGSA Board believes this is an appropriate time to begin team activities based on current and projected COVID-19 trends and advice from government and health officials. Beginning the Rec season on June 22 allows for the season to begin with team practices occurring the weeks of June 22 and 29, with games beginning the week of July 6, and the entire season lasting approximately eight weeks.

Due to the current environment and the resulting date changes for this softball season, we are aware some families will not be able to participate for a variety of reasons. Because of this, we are asking that all families who have players who previously registered for the JGSA 2020 Rec season to complete a short survey to indicate your intentions for the upcoming softball season, including:

1. Playing 2020 Little League Recreational Softball
2. Not Playing 2020 Little League Recreational Softball – Donating registration money to JGSA (donation is tax deductible)
3. Not Playing 2020 Little League Recreational Softball – Keep my registration money to apply to 2021 Little League Recreational Softball
4. Not Playing 2020 Little League Recreational Softball – Wanting refund of $100 for $129 registration or Refund of $90 for $119 registration

In addition, below are several informational items for those players who intend to play during the 2020 Rec season:

• JGSA Guidelines for Re-opening practices and games – review and become familiar with these expected guidelines and procedures.
  
• JGSA Liability Waiver – submit this waiver to the appropriate Rec Director via the email addresses listed below. If submitting electronically is not an option, hard copies can be turned into your daughter’s Rec team coach. Waivers must be completed and submitted prior to participating in team activities. (Dragon Select players need only to submit one form per player and should send them to Jarod Haxton via the email address below).

We realize these are unprecedented and challenging times due to COVID-19, and because of this, families who participate in JGSA softball in 2020 will be expected to adhere to numerous safety guidelines, including:

• All players/coaches should perform a temperature check before traveling to any practice or game
• All players/coaches should have their own antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer with them at practices and games
• All players/coaches/spectators who have been in close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 will be expected to self-quarantine for 14 days
• Any player/coach with symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted to participate in practices or games until seven days after the last symptom has dissipated
• Players will not share any personal equipment or belongings during practices or games
• JGSA intends to issue enough helmets per team that each individual player who needs a helmet can use that same one for the course of the season
• For any team items that may need to be shared (such as bats or catching equipment masks, coaches will wipe down these items with disinfectant wipes between use by different players)
• Spectators should continue to follow social distancing guidelines and not gather together in groups or use any of the bleachers during practices or games

·       If you have any questions related to Rec softball please reach out to:

• Abby Hawes – 6U Rec Director – [email protected]
• Brian Hemesath – 8U Rec Director – [email protected]
• Eric Clark – 10U Rec Director – [email protected]
• Tom Cope – 12U Rec Director – [email protected]
• Jarod Haxton – JGSA President – [email protected]