Category: COVID-19

by Colum Lavery

Softball Ireland Face Masks on Sale

Further to the introduction of mandatory facemasks by the Irish government, Softball Ireland are looking to produce Softball Ireland branded masks to both promote OUR sport and keep members safe during these unprecedented times.

The bottle green mask with the softball Ireland logo has an adjustable fitting and is machine washable.

Protection

The mask includes:

  • High strength woven fabric
  • Inserted surgical wrap filter
  • Sterille Barrier System *EN-ISO 11607
  • Barrier against micro-organisms
  • Two inner layers of microfibres that avoid the penetration of particles and fluids
  • Made in Ireland

Cost

Masks may be purchased individually or in bulk for the following prices:

Individual Mask – €9 per mask

Team Mask Purchases (orders of 10+ mask) – €8.50 per mask

If you wish to order face masks, please complete the order form using the below link:

Order Form: https://forms.gle/y4U1U2BQtAY5rYHm9

To produce the mask our supplier will need a minimum order of 100 masks, once orders have been received, we will keep those who have placed orders updated on the status.

Let’s both promote our sport and stay safe!

by Colum Lavery

Updated Player Restrictions

August 7, 2020

Further to the announcement of revised Government advice on August 7, 2020, any Softball Ireland members who reside in Kildare, Laois or Offaly, are not permitted to attend any Softball Ireland activities until such time as the Government advice is updated.

If a member has visited any of these three counties in the last 14 days or visits (other than commuting through) the three counties during the time of the Government restrictions and experiences any symptoms related to COVID-19, they are advised not to attend Softball Ireland sanctioned activities.

Thank you for you co-operation and support during these quickly changing times.

Home plate with a bat, balls and helmet.
by Colum Lavery

COVID-19 Symptom Screening & Contact Tracing

Effective July 20, 2020

Softball Ireland have announced the launch of its COVID-19 Symptom Screening and Contact Tracking Web-App.

In accordance with government requirements Softball is required to maintain records of all attendees at Softball training and games. Additionally, it is the recommendation of Sport Ireland that all participants certify they are not experiencing symptoms prior to training/playing.

Softball Ireland have partnered with Redicare for the use of a a GDPR compliant and secure COVID-19 online survey which will both provide a Play/No Play advice to participants and the required contact tracing functionality.

All members of Softball Ireland wishing to play softball with effect from July 20, 2020 are required to register and complete the Web App questionnaire in advance of each training/game. The questionnaire should be completed as close to the event time possible but no earlier than 6 hours in advance.

Team/Club COVID-19 Officers will be provided with team admin access in-order to use the Web App to track attendance at training and games.

For further questions on the Web-App kindly email president@softball.ie

Home plate with a bat, balls and helmet.
by Andrew Craven

Return to Play Protocol

Softball Ireland are pleased to publish their Return to Play Protocol. The Protocol aims to help clubs and players return to the game of softball during the COVID-19 pandemic. Information will be updated as required on the ‘Latest COVID-19 Information‘ area of the website.

Please note that the Return to Play Protocol is a living document, and will updated as and when government advice changes. Please pay careful attention to the version number and date of publication.

Return to Play Protocol v1.0 (Published 26th June 2020)

by Andrew Craven

Return to Play Announcement

The Softball Ireland Board having noted the recommendation of the Medical Committee have confirmed that clubs based in the Republic of Ireland may return to training with effect from July 4, 2020 and return to games from July 20, 2020 subject to meeting criteria.

The Return to Play protocol and requirements together with registration details and an update on insurance will be published on the Softball Ireland Website by no later than June 26, 2020.

Softball Ireland are delighted to be in a position to announce and confirm the return to play dates and see people back on the field of play, however, please note that the Softball Ireland insurance policy (and in particular the Public Liability part of the policy) remains suspended until July 4, 2020. Should any player or small group of players participate in any Softball activities prior to July 4, 2020 they do so at their own risk and are fully liable for any injuries / damage to other participants, third party bystanders or property.

An infield softball.
by Andrew Craven

Return to Play Update

Softball Ireland note the announcement from the Irish government today that all sporting activity in the Republic of Ireland can resume from 29 June, the format of which is at the discretion of the National Governing Body. The Softball Ireland Medical Committee will meet in the coming days to assess today’s government decision and provide further recommendations to the Board about the possible acceleration of the Return to Play Date.

Softball Ireland wish to remind teams and players of the following:

– The suspension of all formal team/club organised Softball activites (incliuding training) on the island of Ireland remains in place until July 20, 2020.  This must be strictly adhered to.

– The Softball Ireland insurance policy (and in particular the Public Liability part of the policy) remains suspended until July 20, 2020. Should any player or small group of players participate in any Softball activities prior to July 20, 2020they do so at their own risk and are fully liable for any injuries / damage to other participants, third party bystanders or prorperty.   

Please do not hesitate to contact Colum Lavery should you have any questions on the matter.

by Andrew Craven

Return To Play Timelines and Update

It is a pleasure to write to the Softball Ireland membership in the knowledge that we will be returning to play in a few short weeks. Since the difficult announcement to suspend all Softball in Ireland on March 12, 2020, the Softball Ireland Medical Committee and Board have worked constantly to develop a pathway and ultimately a protocol to allow those who wish to play softball in 2020 to do so in a safe environment and in-line with health and governmental advice.

Softball Ireland are pleased to confirm that the Return to Play Protocol which has been developed by the Medical Committee is working its way through the consultation stage. Subject to no major issues or changes in public health advice, it is anticipated that the protocol together with the approved 2020 rule variations will be issued to all Regions, Clubs and Players on June 25, 2020 with a Return to Play date scheduled for July 20, 2020.

On behalf of the Board and the Medical Committee, I wish to re-emphasise the following very important points:

  • The suspension of all formal team/club organised Softball activites (incliuding training) on the island of Ireland remains in place until July 20, 2020.
  • The Softball Ireland insurance policy (and in particular the Public Liability part of the policy) remains suspended until July 20, 2020. Should any player or small group of players participate in any Softball activities prior to July 20, 2020 they do so at their own risk and are fully liable for any injuries / damage to other participants, third party bystanders or prorperty.   

So much has happended in Ireland and across the world in the last number of months and our thoughts are with any of our members impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Softball Ireland would like to thank our members who have worked on the front line in essential roles to keep us safe and our economy going.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions on the above email or process.

Softball Ireland Return to Play Timeline
Home plate with a bat, balls and helmet.
by Andrew Craven

Softball Ireland Return to Play Framework

Softball Ireland are fortunate to have two doctors on the Board, representing North and South of the border respectively, as our medical committee. Following the most recent public health advice from the HSE and the NI Executive, they have presented initial return to play timelines to the Board. Following receipt of feedback from the regions, the Board have approved these as our national framework. The committee will now consider detailed return to play protocols (including playing rules), while the Board works with the regions on challenges such as insurance costs, field availability and competition structure. 

1. Seek to reactivate Softball Ireland insurance as of 20th July 2020.

2. Teams may train from 20th July 2020 provided insurance is in place, no more than two teams are present at the diamond and the Softball Ireland return to play protocols are adhered to.

3. Games may commence from 1st August 2020 provided insurance is in place, no more than two teams are present at a diamond and the Softball Ireland return to play protocols are adhered to.

4. No tournaments will be sanctioned in 2020, including BWC, IOST, SINCC, and club/national tournaments at home or abroad.

5. Team captains must submit electronically a list of attendees at training or games, within 24 hours, in line with HSE contact tracing requirements, for 6-week retention.

6. SI will make a final decision on Softball Ulster activity after the NI Executive publishes timelines for their recently published roadmap.

Expected return to play timeline
Expected Softball Ireland Return to Play Timeline

This position is subject to change as further information is made available to the public by the HSE and NI Executive. Final decisions on when games will be played, competition structures and fees will be set by Softball Ireland and the regions, subject to this framework and the SI Return to Play Protocols (TBA) being adhered to. The Softball Ireland Return to Play Protocols will be issued no later than the 30th of June 2020. Any questions to secretary@softball.ie.

by Andrew Craven

COVID-19 Update from Softball Ireland

The Softball Ireland Medical Committee is currently assessing the recently published HSE guidelines on the phased reopening of Ireland and the impact this will have on our sport. As Softball is an all-island sport, the proposed return-to-play roadmap will require finalisation following discussion of the UK Government’s planned announcement this weekend.

We are aware of our members’ eagerness to open the season as soon as possible, but we must balance that with the safety of everyone on the field. Consideration is being given to the most up-to-date medical evidence, the best practices of other national Softball Federations and the ever-evolving nature of the coronavirus pandemic.

Softball Ireland’s proposed return-to-play roadmap will be reviewed by the Softball Ireland Board at its May 14th Board Meeting and announced on May 15th.

by Colum Lavery

COVID-19 Postponements Update

Further to the government announcement to extend the current phase of lockdown to May 5, 2020 and at that point, any reduction in intervention would only be a step down to the previous phase of restrictions, the Softball Ireland Board on the recommendation of the Medical Committee agreed all Softball activities remain suspended until May 31, 2020. The suspension is subject to review of the Medical Committee on May 5, 2020.

Our thoughts continue to be with all our members and their families at this time.

We would also like to thank all our members working on the frontline during this crisis

Under-22 Women's Team
by Colum Lavery

European Competitions Update

APRIL 2, 2020 – IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Softball Ireland have received confirmation this morning that due to the ongoing global crisis caused by the COVID-19 vires the WBSC Europe Softball Division has decided amend it’s 2020 tournament schedule.

WBSC Europe Softball Division has confirmend the following:

  • European softball international events for 2020 under Softball Europe have been cancelled except for;
  • European Championships which act as qualifiers for World Cups 2021- the events have now been postponed to September.

What does this mean for softball Ireland?? Softball Ireland National teams and clubs were entered in three competitions in 2020 and update on the status of these tournaments is below:

  • Women’s European Championship postponed to September 20 – 26, 2020
  • Men’s Slowpitch European Championship *CANCELLED*
  • European CO-ED Super Cup (Dodder) *CANCELLED*

The Fastpitch Ireland Board, Softball Ireland Board and Medical Committee will review Ireland’s participation in the Women’s European Championship once venue’s have been confirmed. Any decision on Ireland’s participation in the event will be athelete driven with consideration been given to the health & safety of the players and whether it is felt the athletes will have adequate time and opportunity to prepare and condition for the tournament.

The full statement from the WBSC Europe Softball Division is available HERE