Some Youth Sports Restarting In Montco, With These Rules In Place

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Montgomery County officials have relaxed restrictions on outdoor youth sports as the county moves into the yellow phase, announcing that they will allow youth softball and baseball teams to begin practicing. All youth sports competitions, the county says, are still not permitted.

The practices are permitted beginning Monday, June 8.

This is despite guidance issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health regarding practices, which states that "formal practice and competition" is only allowed in the green phase. Because no competitions are taking place, the county is considering these restricted practices as "summer programming."

"Given the stable and improving conditions here in Montgomery County, as well as the fact that 'physical activity conducted as part of summer programming' is allowed under the yellow phase, the Montgomery County Office of Public Health is advising that outdoor youth team practices can occur starting on June 8, but only if critical safety guidelines and protocols are followed," the Montgomery County Department of Public Health said in a statement.

The county has not issued specific guidance for other team sports practices. Representatives of others sports leagues interested in opening up practices are asked to contact the county with their plans, which will be reviewed.

Lawmakers and community leaders in many parts of the state, including Bucks County, have been pressuring the state to allow youth sports to resume. Together with legislators, youth sports organizations have put together detailed proposals on how they want to move forward.

In Montgomery County, officials said that teams may practice in groups of less than 25. Coaches are urged not to mix groups of children whenever possible, and to encourage social distancing. No physical contact is permitted.

Other regulations in Montgomery County, based on CDC guidance, include:

• No spitting
• Check temperatures of all participants and watch for symptoms
• Provide hand sanitizer
• No equipment sharing
• Face covers for coaches
• Prepackaged or box food instead of buffet or self-serve
• Staggered use of restrooms and locker rooms
• No sharing of water bottles or beverages
• Carpool only with members of the same household
• No nonessential volunteers, visitors, or spectators should join practice
• Include signage to remind all of healthy behaviors

Montgomery County has 7,369 total cases of coronavirus and 720 deaths as of Monday afternoon. The 14-day average of cases is down to 71 as of Monday; it sat at 94 on May 27.