Sports

Little League is back in Riverside, Brookfield North Riverside canceled season as pandemic spread in April

By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

It looks different, but Little League baseball and softball is back in Riverside and Brookfield.

After months of discussions around safety and hearing feedback from the community, Little League presidents John Evans of Riverside and Katie Nasti of Brookfield said they are moving forward.

“Riverside Little League has been a big part of our community,” said Evans. “Obviously, player safety is our number-one priority and, early in the spring, we surveyed all of our families and asked them if they were interested in ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer having baseball and softball this year. The vast majority of MOUND VISIT: Umpires stand behind the pitcher wearing a face mask on Monday, July 20, 2020, during a little league the responses were positive, so we decided to move forward.” baseball game at River Field on Fairbank Road in Riverside.

Riverside is already in its fourth week of the season, while Brookfield is preparing for an Aug. 1 start. and we haven’t had any issues so far.” said Evans. “We obviously want everyone to wear a mask,

With safety in mind, Evans has advised families to make The Illinois Department of Public Health’s Phase 4 guideand we are even seeing some of the players wear them when sure the players aren’t experiencing any COVID-related lines state that sports venues can be filled to a maximum they are on the field all the time. The state doesn’t require symptoms. Home plate umpires are positioned behind the of 20 percent capacity by spectators. It goes on to say that, everyone to wear masks when they are around the field, so pitcher to keep them physically distant from players. While “spectators from the same household should sit together” it varies team to team.” he hasn’t heard a ton of feedback from the umpires in the and “social distance of at least six feet should be maintained Nasti said Brookfield Little League will be taking similar incipient stages of this year’s season, Evans said it is workbetween non-household individuals unless participating in measures in regard to umpires being behind the pitcher and ing out so far. acti vities.” making sure people are following social distancing proto

“I think if you ask the umpires, it’s a little bit harder to call Evans and Nasti are both encouraging everyone to wear cols. a game from [behind the pitcher],” said Evans. “But so far it masks when residents go to the fields. The dugouts will only be used for catchers to change into has worked out well. We use a professional umpire service, “We have been good about [people wearing masks] so far,” their equipment, while the first row of the stands will be designated for only the players. There will be markers in the stands so people remain six feet of apart. “We are making sure the players are safe but still together as a team,” said Nasti. “We want the kids to have a great experience while making sure everyone’s healthy and not coming to a game or practice with symptoms.” While the situation can change at any point in time, Nasti said she is thrilled to have baseball and softball back in Brookfield. “We’re happy to be moving forward,” said Nasti. “I think the hardest thing was the back and forth of not having an answer either way of whether we could play or not. Being able to go to the fields, drop off equipment and even moving boxes ... it was a great feeling.” North Riverside’s Little League president, Anthony Ritacca, did not respond to the Landmark’s inquiries on the matter. North Riverside Mayor Hubert Hermanek Jr. announced in April that the Little League season was going to be canceled due to the pandemic. JUST A BIT OUTSIDE: Players attempt to keep a six foot distance oof the  eld on Monday, Ju ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer ly 20, 2020, during a little “It’s not going to open soon,” said Hermanek of statewide stay-at-home order issued in March by Gov. Pritzker. “And even if it does begin to open slowly, it’s the J.B not league baseball game at River Field on Fairbank Road in Riverside. going to be enough to let baseball be open.”