AYL Families,
The health and safety of our families is our primary focus and the COVID-19 situation is disrupting life throughout the world.
The AYL wants each person to feel in control of their own safety when returning to the fields. It is important to us that we do not rush anyone’s decision, and much remains unknown at this time. We will communicate the guidelines required by Federal, State and City officials as soon as we get them.
While there is a lot of uncertainty, we all believe that getting back onto the field is a critical step for our families and the healing process.
As of today (5/10/2020) we have established the below schedule for Baseball, Lacrosse, Volleyball and Softball.
Baseball
The AYL is still actively PLANNING to restart our 2020 baseball season. We are planning towards restarting the season on 6/1/2020 through mid-July. More information will be communicated by May 25th or as we are informed about the socials distancing requirements. We are working with Tri-county health and other organizations to ensure our game play rules follow the official guidelines.
Boys and Girls Lacrosse:
We will be moving the 2020 Lacrosse season to start on August 8th, 2020. This season will run until August 31, 2020 and each team will get 6 games. We will adjust game play rules as needed. We understand this may conflict with Fall sports and will schedule games on week nights and Sundays to avoid any potential scheduling conflicts.
Volleyball:
AYL will be canceling the spring volleyball season. We decided to do this because of the gym availability limitations as a result of all school districts closing their facilities until further notice.
We will be working to determine the seasonal cost incurred thus far and will be providing each club a reduced refund after June 1st, 2020.
The AYL does not collect individual registrations and thus does not determine how each club will address this with their families. Please remember that all youth sports organizations pre-pay for the season and have continued to incur costs even when we are not running games and practices.
FAQ’s
Will I get a refund or credit? Decisions on refunds will be communicated by the club you are registered with and not the AYL. Each club has different costs, facilities, and structures so each club will offer different solutions. Your club will provide you with any needed information.
If a refund is offered why would it not be for the full amount I paid? All youth sports organization pre-pay for much of the season in advance- which includes officials training, equipment, fields, trophies, insurance, rent, admin and accounting fees etc. Much of the spring sports cost were incurred in January and February prior to the COVID situation. AYL clubs are non-profits and run on very thin margins. Clubs will do their best to offer credits/refunds/donations if possible. As a reminder, the AYL does not set these policies and each of the clubs will decide on what to do individually.
Will you follow the guidance provided by the Governor and other local officials and agencies? Yes, we will follow all government (Federal/State and City) established guidelines and social distancing requirements.
Can we gather as a team prior to the restrictions be lifted? The AYL is only responsible for game play and that will not happen until the restrictions are lifted. If your coach wants to meet as a team, that is not a club or AYL event and thus you do so at your own risk. NO AYL clubs are allowing practices or scrimmages at this time and violating the guidelines set by the government is not recommended.
Craig Randall
AYL President