Tustin Western Little League's Response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Updated 6/12/2020

TWLL SAFETY PLAN FOR 6/29 RETURN
Draft COVID Guidelines

The TWLL board is actively monitoring guidance around the COVID-19 from TUSD, the Orange County Health Department, Little League International, and the CDC. The following frequently asked questions detail our current response to the COVID-19 situation, and will be updated with new information as it becomes available.  

WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE OF THE 2020 SPRING SEASON?

All TWLL activities, including team practices and games, are suspended until further notice. We are targeting a return in early June, however, that is subject to TUSD approving facility use and youth baseball and softball being cleared to play by the OC Health Department and the State.

WASN'T MAY 11 THE DATE CHOSEN FOR RESUMING LITTLE LEAGUE ACTIVITIES?

Following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to refrain from gatherings for at least eight weeks, the leadership at Little League International chose May 11 to coincide with that guidance. The current recommendation is that all leagues rely on guidance from local and state authorities on resuming Little League activities after May 11. As mentioned above, we are awaiting clearance from the relevant local and state authorities before we return to our season.

WILL THE RECOMMENDED DATE BE PUSHED BACK PAST MAY 11, AND IF SO, WHEN WOULD WE KNOW THAT DIRECTIVE?

The TWLL board is relying on guidance from state and local officials, Little League International, and District 30 regarding the best date resume activities. We permit our fields from TUSD and they ultimately control our access to the fields. Currently TUSD has not provided a date for reopening of baseball/softball fields for our use. In any scenario, the league would need 1-2 weeks additional time to reschedule practices and games if and when play is allowed to resume. In an effort to provide all possible options to our families, we have applied for field use through the City of Tustin and may utilize those locations as a precautionary backup.

THE SCHEDULED SEASON HAS ENDED. IS THAT IT?

The TUSD's fields are currently closed until further notice. In a normal season, post-season tournaments such as D30’s Tournament of Champions and All-Stars continue through June and July. We are currently planning on having an extended regular season through the months of June and July. The regular season will preempt the post-season activities. Additionally, even though the Little League World Series and Regional Tournaments are cancelled, Little League International has approved District, Sectional and State all-star tournaments if allowed under local guidelines. 

MY SCHOOL IS CLOSED FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR. WHY IS THE LEAGUE CONTINUING ITS SEASON?

Our priority as a board is to put on the best season possible, while protecting the health of our players and volunteers. For our league age 12 players, this season represents their last chance to play in the premier Majors division, and we hope to make that possible. We also hope to provide a summer activity for our players as many other summer programs will likely be proactively canceled. Play would only resume with the approval of Orange County and TUSD officials.

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS IN CASE THE SEASON IS CANCELED, OR FOR PLAYERS THAT CHOOSE NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN A RESTARTED SEASON?

Registered players can do one of the following, if the season is cancelled or players choose not to play:

1.    Withdraw and request a partial refund now.

2.    Request a partial refund in the case the season is canceled.

3.    Donate the remaining portion of their registration fees to TWLL. If you choose to withdraw, the donation would be effective upon withdrawal. If you choose to wait to see whether the season is cancelled, the donation would be effective if the season gets cancelled. 

Please use this form to indicate your preference for EACH PLAYER. TWLL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your donation may be eligible for a tax deduction. Additionally, funds donated would go directly to improve the safety and condition of our fields and facilities. Projects we have targeted as goals include additional safety netting, hardscape around the snack shack and fields, shade coverings for the bleacher areas, scoreboards for AA and AAA, and any other ideas you may have to improve TWLL (all subject to TUSD approval).

All currently registered players that choose not to participate in a restarted season can officially withdraw and submit a partial refund request now. There is no need to fill out the form now if you are not withdrawing at this time. In case of a canceled season, the same form can be used to request a refund or donate your remaining fees.

WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?

The board has approved the following partial refund policy for registration fees. All registered players are eligible for the same refund policy, whether they withdraw now or in the case of a cancelled season.

Partial refund amounts will be as follows:

Please bear with us as our registration provider has recently changed its refund policies, which may slow down our refund process.

WHY ARE WE GETTING A PARTIAL REFUND?

We understand that registration fees are a significant expense for many families, and that in this time of economic uncertainty, every dollar counts. Please be aware that many of our teams started practicing the last week of January, and at that time, the league had already incurred significant expenses, especially around field maintenance, permit fees, uniforms and league insurance. Additionally, we were unable to fully carry out our fundraising and concession sales during the short season, which are normally used to offset league expenses. Our refund policy will ensure that as much of the registration fees are returned as possible, while not drawing down the league’s balances or funds raised for field improvements for the next season. This is the only responsible way to take care of our current membership and still ensure the league is viable for future generations of TWLL players.

CAN I GET A REFUND NOW, AND RE-REGISTER IF THE SEASON RESTARTS?

Due to the inherent difficulty in restarting the season and additional planning required, any players withdrawing prior to a restart will not be eligible to play in the restarted season. No new registrations will be accepted for the current season.

I WILL BE WITHDRAWING MY PLAYER FOR THE SEASON, BUT I DON’T NEED A REFUND. WHO SHOULD I INFORM?

You can use the same form to indicate your player will be withdrawing from this season. There is an option to let us know you don’t need a refund. Thank you for your support! Donated fees may qualify as a charitable contribution since TWLL is a registered 501(c)(3) organization in good standing, and may be eligible for a tax deduction. We would be happy to provide a receipt for your donation upon request.

HOW WILL THE POSTPONEMENT IMPACT INTER-LEAGUE PLAY?

Since every league will handle the resumption of activities differently, the decision about inter-league play is yet to be determined.

HOW WILL THE POSTPONEMENT IMPACT ALL-STARS?

Little League International announced on 4/30 that the Little League World Series is canceled for 2020. There may still be an opportunity for All-Star play at the local level, all the way up to state. TWLL is focusing on providing a season for all of our players. If there is an opportunity to participate in All-Star Tournaments, we will examine it closely.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ANGEL DAY?

Angel Day for the spring season has been canceled. Angel Day event is organized by District 30, who is in the process of issuing refunds to its constituent leagues. Refunds for the tickets will be distributed shortly.