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.

• A training video on the initial registration and daily completion may be viewed by clicking this link

• An explanatory video for Team/Club COVID-19 Officers may be viewed by clicking this link

• Players may register and continue to update their training/game day registration through the following site: https://redicare.ie/covid19/?st=softball-ireland

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

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)

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.

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.

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.