As Massachusetts continues to reopen under the new COVID-19 guidelines, local outdoor sports facilities have now been given the green light to open their doors for organized youth and adult sports activities under Phase 2 of the Massachusetts reopening plan.
“I’ve always been an outdoor guy, so these past 12 weeks or whatever it’s been have been a little tough,” said Rich Avery, the facilities manager at Fraser and Manning Fields. “But it’s great that with this new step we’ve been able to get back to some sense of normalcy, and hopefully we’ll be able to continue moving on from here.”
“We’ve been trying to get ready for some time now, so we’re happy that we can finally reopen and start to prepare to welcome teams back to the field,” said Bob Davis, superintendent of World Series Park in Saugus. “Our hope is that everything will be good by the end of the month and we’ll be able to start having games again when Phase 3 starts.”
But with reopening comes a new list of guidelines that the facilities need to open under, and the past few weeks have been devoted to making sure everything is in line with the new rules. Things like making sure all people and workers remain six feet apart, requiring face coverings and sanitizing high touch areas are all a part of reopening the facilities for use.
As for leagues and organizations actually getting back out on the field, teams are slowly trickling back to the fields for some workouts and practices, which are the only activities allowed under Phase 2.
Fraser Field normally plays host to a number of teams and leagues during the summer, including the North Shore Navigators of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL), the Lynn Post 6 Connery American Legion baseball team and Lynn Babe Ruth baseball.
“As of right now we’ve only had some kids around here and there tossing the ball around, nothing organized has started up yet,” said Avery. “But the Navs are preparing and hoping to start in July and they’ll start practicing next week, so things are starting to ramp up.”
World Series Park doesn’t host quite as many sporting events now that the Saugus High baseball team won’t be playing, but American Legion and Babe Ruth baseball, along with a host of other local activities, have called the park home each summer.
“We already have a number of teams who have games scheduled for the end of the month if things go according to plan so we’re excited about that,” said Bob Davis. “Some teams are already starting their practices and people seem to be observing all the proper social distancing, so we’re happy that things are moving forward.”
For now, the facilities managers will work to put the proper protocols in place in order to allow for a safe place to enjoy outdoor summer activities once again. Phase 3 of the Massachusetts reopening plan is set to begin on June 29, which would allow for leagues to finally hold games again.
“Derek January, the new GM of the Navs, he came up with a 14-page book of safety protocols for the season and he shared it with us, the Mayor’s office and the Health Department, so I think that’s a really encouraging sign,” Avery said. “Once they’re able to finalize their schedule for the season, then I’ll be able to start slotting in Legion games and men’s league games and things like that. So I think we’ll be able to have a successful summer of baseball.”
“I think we’re going to see a big turnout in leagues like American Legion and Babe Ruth because all the kids missed out on their high school baseball season, so we’re ready for them to all come back and play,” Davis said. “We’re excited to come back and be able to provide a place where people can get outside, enjoy the fresh air and play some baseball.”