COVID-19 RESOURCES
Back to the Ballpark Guidelines
In these unprecedented times, USA Softball strives to protect the integrity of the game while also providing a safe environment for all involved.
The items listed in the “Back to the Ballpark Recommendations” are recommended practices for restarting USA Softball events. State/Metro Associations, Recreational Leagues, Tournament Hosts, Staff, Athletes, Coaches, Parents, and spectators shall continue to follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Federal, State and Local governmental guidelines.
USA Softball cannot dictate when local state and metro associations can start playing softball during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting play will be determined by state/metro associations working with their local governmental agencies. Teams coming from other areas within a state or crossing states lines should respect and follow their local governmental agency restrictions (where they reside) before signing up for tournaments.
We will continue our mission to develop, administer and promote the sport of softball to provide opportunities for participation and the best possible experience for those involved.
This is a working document that will have to be very fluid as CDC, Federal, State and Local governmental agencies find their way through the COVID-19 pandemic in allowing youth sports to start back playing again.
Click here to download the Back to the Ballpark Guidelines
Click here to download Back to the Ballpark Guidelines (Leagues)
#PlayItSafeAtHome
We are united as one. USA Softball recommends and strongly encourages everyone to follow the guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), your state's public health department and other county and/or local authorities including area school districts and government agencies.
Browse this page to find helpful tips for coping during this time of social distancing. Email us at info@usasoftball.com if you have resources that you think would be beneficial to share.
- Communicating about COVID-19: How to Keep Kids Calm and Accountable (TrueSport)
- Tips by Dr. Kevin Chapman and the acronym F.I.G.H.T (TrueSport)
- Scheduling time for virtual social visits and exercise (TrueSport)
- Coping with Quarantine Life: Motivation (TrueSport)
- Modeling a Calm Demeanor and Demonstrating Positive Self-Care Strategies (TrueSport)
- Missed Moments, Creating Safe Spaces for Young Athletes to Acknowledge Feelings of Loss (TrueSport)
- Looking at Facts Rather Than Fiction (TrueSport)
- Evidence: Explaining Healthy Habits and Quarantine Rules Without Scaring Youth (TrueSport)
- What Happens When College Kids Leave the Nest - And the Coronavirus Sends Them Back(Washington Post)
- Talking to Kids About COVID-19 (National Association of School Psychologists)
- Talking to Teens About Coronavirus (Harvard Health)
- Five Ways to Help Teens Manage Coronavirus Anxiety (New York Times)
- Dealing with Disappointment During Coronavirus Sports Cancellations (Positive Coach)
- For Parents, Coaches and Staff Supporting Athletes During Coronavirus (PDF, USOPC)
- For Athletes Coping with the Impact of Coronavirus (PDF, USOPC)
Watch and Learn From Team USA athletes
- At-Home Drills with Women's National Team athletes (USASoftballEducation.com)
Read the Latest Tips
- Read tips from current Women's National Team athletes (USASoftballEducation.com)
TrueSport Education
Download/Print an Activity Book
Write a Letter to Team USA
- Write a letter to your favorite Team USA athlete and send: USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium, Attn: Athlete's Name, 2801 NE 50th St, Oklahoma City, OK, 73111
#PlayItSafeAtHome with US(A)
- Share your favorite at-home workout with us for a chance to be featured on USASoftball.com! Tag @USASoftball + #PlayItSafeAtHome
- Reimagining Youth Sports in a Post-COVID 19 World (Changing the Game)
- Miss Watching Youth Sports? You're Not Alone (Changing the Game)
- A Routine to Help You Stay Healthy (and Sane) While You're Stuck at Home (SportsEngine)
- Emotional Safety Tips for Families during the Pandemic (Kidpower)
- Best Tech Tools for You to Work from Home(USA Today)
- Coronavirus Lockdowns Are Making Workdays Longer - Take Breaks (CNBC)
- Top Eight Telecommuting Tips (CU Management)
- Eight Things To Do While Under Quarantine (Psychology Today)
- How to Cope with the Stress of Social Distancing (Omaha.com)
- Tips on Minding Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus Outbreak (Longford Leader)
- Six Healthy Ways to Manage Your Coronavirus Anxiety (Good Housekeeping)
- How to Exercise at Home if You're Avoiding the Gym (Healthline)
- Personal Trainers Share Effective, Full-Body Workout Ideas for Quarantine (Business Insider)
- Eight Tips to Make Working From Home Work For You (NPR)
- How to Work From Home Without Losing Your Mind (Wired)
- How to Work From Home With Children (New York Times)
- Catchers: Working on your Transfers from your Couch via Aubree Munro
- Test your Math with Women's National Team athletes Amanda Chidester, Taylor Edwards and Michelle Moultrie
- Find all 18 members of the Men's National Team in this Word Search
- Can you stay loose like Men's National Team athlete, Erick Ochoa?
- Workout with your teammate from a distance like Women's Slow Pitch National Team athletes, Shelby Engle and Shayna Finley
- Work with what you've got at home! Watch Women's Slow Pitch National Team athlete Kelly Park practice hand-eye coordination
USA Softball joins the United States Olympic & Paralympic (USOPC) to promote Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
Experiencing An Urgent Mental Health Issue?
If you or someone you know is experiencing an urgent mental health issue, we encourage you to text HOME to 741741, or call (800) 273-8255 to speak to a mental health professional. In the process of helping yourself, you may be inspiring courage in others to seek help as well.
Resources:
- Communicating about COVID-19: How to Keep Kids Calm and Accountable (TrueSport)
- Tips by Dr. Kevin Chapman and the acronym F.I.G.H.T (TrueSport)
- Modeling a Calm Demeanor and Demonstrating Positive Self-Care Strategies (TrueSport)
- Missed Moments, Creating Safe Spaces for Young Athletes to Acknowledge Feelings of Loss (TrueSport)
- What Happens When College Kids Leave the Nest - And the Coronavirus Sends Them Back(Washington Post)
- Talking to Kids About COVID-19 (National Association of School Psychologists)
- Talking to Teens About Coronavirus (Harvard Health)
- Five Ways to Help Teens Manage Coronavirus Anxiety (New York Times)
- Dealing with Disappointment During Coronavirus Sports Cancellations (Positive Coach)
- For Parents, Coaches and Staff Supporting Athletes During Coronavirus (PDF, USOPC)
- For Athletes Coping with the Impact of Coronavirus (PDF, USOPC)
- Miss Watching Youth Sports? You're Not Alone (Changing the Game)
- Emotional Safety Tips for Families during the Pandemic (Kidpower)
- Eight Things To Do While Under Quarantine (Psychology Today)
- How to Cope with the Stress of Social Distancing (Omaha.com)
- Tips on Minding Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus Outbreak (Longford Leader)
- Six Healthy Ways to Manage Your Coronavirus Anxiety (Good Housekeeping)
- How to Work From Home Without Losing Your Mind (Wired)