Baseball, softball given green light, with new rules

As youth baseball and softball start up in Ohio later this month, this is the number to keep in mind: six. The 6-foot social distancing zone for spectators is one of the mandatory rules laid out by the Ohio Department of Health on Friday, one day after Gov. Mike DeWine gave the OK for limited-contact and non-contact sports such as baseball and softball to resume May 26. Some other mandatory rules include no team water coolers, no handshake lines, no spitting sunflower seeds and face coverings for coaches and umpires. Sports Force Parks, which has tournaments scheduled through October, is planning on welcoming back baseball with the Salute to the Season tournament on May 30-31. "We already have teams signing up. They are anxious to play," Sports Force regional manager Will Spence said Friday, adding that the county health department has signed off on plans for the tourney. "We'll be one of the first waves of tournaments in the state. We've talked to people from Sandusky to Cleveland to Mansfield to Columbus and other states. We're excited to get the season started." Some youth leagues have already canceled their seasons, but the state's decision to allow baseball and softball is a plus for summer travel teams. Travis Crabtree coaches the Sandusky Bay Scrappers' 13-under baseball team, which plays many of its tournaments at Sports Force. He said this week's positive news was met with a lot of excitement from his players. "My 13-year-old was jumping around the house," Crabtree said. "He's excited to see his friends. I think it'll be great for the mental health of kids." Crabtree, whose team plays several tournaments at Sports Force, said his Scrappers will return to competition when they are physically ready. "The kids are fired up but we have to do it the safe way," he said. "At least it's a little bit of normalcy." Some high school athletes also will put in some work this summer. On Friday night the OHSAA reportedly lifted its no-contact period for baseball, softball, golf, tennis, track & field and swimming, meaning that coaches can hold practices and workouts with their teams. Edison softball coach Troy Keegan is ready to play ball. "If they budge on their restrictions, Edison plans on playing competitive tournaments throughout the state and hopefully find other high school teams to play on weekdays," he said.