Let’s Play Softball— Social Distance Edition

Before I get started here … keep your shirt on. I’m just asking a ‘what if’, as in … would this be accetable? I am not proposing a timeline or suggesting we start this now. I’m simply curious to hear what others think about this as a concept and whether we can get playing ball, sooner.

What

Out of all the team sports out there, I can’t think of another that is as ‘individual’ as baseball and softball (slo-pitch). The ball changes hands between single opponents — pitcher to batter, batter to fielder, etc. All, of these are essentially individual efforts, from play to play. While we play as a team, we are never all involved in the ‘play’ at any one time.

In addition, touching/interacting with other players is quite minimal as well — limited to tagging someone out and touching the ball between catches. Compared to other sports like football, soccer and basketball that involves bumping into each other and in some cases, outright tackling each other … softball is looking considerably more risk-friendly in a Covid-19 time.

So What

We’re in a strange time. And strange times call for creative approaches and new ideas, so we don’t go bananas. There are a lot of us watching our ball season vanish before our eyes while the sun is out. It sucks.

So, I’m asking the question … with a few modifications to minimize touching and transmitting the virus, could we get playing soon?

Now What

I’m proposing the concept of (nudged by my friend Paul) — Softball “Social Distanced Edition”.

Social Distanced Softball with a second set of bases — the alternate first base is 6 feet away from the real first base

Variations in Game Play

• A second set of bases would be used. Runners would run to them; with fielders interacting with the primary bases. Tagging would not be an option for outs (as that would involve touching). Hey at least we are outside and playing ball, right? Could we accept this as a compromise?
• Pitchers would wipe down the ball between all completed plays (this would not benecessary for every pitch/interaction with the catcher)

Player Requirements

• Players must bring their own helmet, bat and not share ANY equipment
• Player would wear a glove in their throwing hand
• Players would wear a mask (at a minimum, the baserunners would be required to wear a mask as they will be huffing and puffing as they run by)
• Players would sanitize their hands between innings

Thanks for reading. What are your thoughts? These are things we are thinking about as prepare to introduce Shelterball later this year.