Want to play in or watch a rec sports event in Kansas? Here’s what you’ll need to know
The Kansas Recreation & Park Association on Thursday published guidelines for returning to recreational sports and related activities in accordance with Gov. Laura Kelly’s recently modified four-phase pandemic plan.
With Kansas entering Phase 2 of Kelly’s COVID-19 reopening plan on Friday, the non-profit KRPA, which represents the state’s parks, recreation and leisure industries, is recommending sports and recreational activities return carefully as protocols are slowly eased through the plan’s second, third and fourth phases.
The KRPA guidelines lead off with the need for accurate rosters of participants in case contact tracing is required due to an outbreak. The report advises that team managers should keep accurate and up-to-date information about all participants, including names, phone numbers and mailing and email addresses.
The KRPA states that participants under the age of 18 should be required to submit contact information for their parents, or contact details for two “adult equivalents.”
Here are some highlights of the full KPRA report, organized by phase.
Phase 2 (started Friday, May 22)
Non-contact sports (golf, tennis, gymnastics etc.):
Attendance should be limited to 50% of maximum occupancy, with no more than 15 people gathered in one space.
A 15-minute buffer should be required between usages of the same space. Court games would be limited to four players, with social distancing required of all spectators.
Baseball, softball:
Small-group, individualized training and modified-rules tournaments would be allowed. Games, controlled practices, clinics and camps would be given the green light as well, but no more than four players and one coach would be allowed to gather at one field.
For youth baseball and softball, no more than 15 spectators would be allowed at each diamond — a ratio of one spectator per player present. Practices would have a 15-minute buffer between each team’s usage of the same field, and games would have a 30-minute buffer between use of a common field.
Shared water in dugouts would not be allowed. Half of a team would be advised to remain inside the dugout while the team is batting, maintaining social-distancing requirements. The other half would stay outside of the dugout.
Basketball, volleyball:
Small-group practices of four players and one coach would be allowed, along with controlled clinics and camps. Games and tournaments would not yet be allowed.
Gatherings of youth-sports spectators would not exceed 15 people. A ratio of no more than one spectator per player would be encouraged. Practices during this time should be scheduled with a 30-minute buffer between different teams’ usage of the same court.
In volleyball, teams would not switch sides after each set, and players would not huddle after each point.
Football, soccer, field/roller hockey, lacrosse, rugby, ultimate Frisbee:
Pretty much everything besides actual games and tournaments would be OK during this phase.
Small-group (no more than four players and one coach) and individual practices would be allowed, along with controlled clinics and camps. No more than 15 spectators would be allowed at youth events — one spectator per player present — and no spectators would be allowed for adult sports. Field usage would include a 30-minute buffer between teams/events.
Miscellaneous:
Click here for phasing guidelines on everything from indoor and outdoor pools, gyms and fitness centers, playgrounds, skate parks, concessions, complex maintenance, locker rooms, showers, multipurpose and meeting rooms, fishing marinas, senior centers, outdoor entertainment and more.
Phase 3 (starts no sooner than June 1)
Non-contact sports (golf, tennis, gymnastics etc.):
Attendance would now be allowed at 75% of a site’s maximum occupancy, with no more than 45 people gathered in one space.
A 15-minute buffer would still be required between usage of the same space. Court games may take place without restrictions, except for a 15-minute buffer between usage of a common court. Social distancing would remain in place, as well.
Baseball, softball:
Guidelines installed for Phase 2 regarding small-group practices would remain in place. Sessions would still be limited to four players and one coach, with the same directives applied to modified-rules tournaments and games.
For youth baseball and softball, spectators would be restricted to 45 — no more than two spectators per player present. Games and practices would have a 15-minute buffer between them.
Shared dugout water would still be disallowed. Social-distancing requirements would remain in place while a team is up to bat, with half the team inside the dugout and half staying outside of it.
Basketball, volleyball, soccer
Small-group practice guidelines outlined in Phase 2, still limiting participants to four players and one coach, would remain in effect.
Modified-rules tournaments and games would be allowed now, too, but the number of spectators present should not exceed 45, or a maximum of two spectators per player. Games and practices would have a 15-minute buffer between each team’s usage of the same playing surface.
Football, soccer, field/roller hockey, lacrosse, rugby, ultimate frisbee
Small practices of four players and one coach would be allowed, along with controlled clinics and camps. Games and tournaments of any kind would not be.
The buffer between practices here is cut to 15 minutes. Huddles, handshakes and the like would not be allowed. The number of spectators on hand could reach as many as 45 — two spectators per player present.
Miscellaneous
Click here for phasing guidelines on everything from indoor and outdoor pools, gyms and fitness centers, playgrounds, skate parks, concessions, complex maintenance, locker rooms, showers, multipurpose and meeting rooms, fishing marinas, senior centers, outdoor entertainment and more.
Phase 4 (starts no sooner than June 29)
At this point, Kansas would be in its phase-out stage, with most restrictions eased. There would be no limitations placed or advised on scheduling or attendance, for instance, or on-field contact during competition.
But at-risk fans would still be asked to stay home, stringent cleaning measures would be observed and proper hygiene and social-distancing measures would still be recommended.
A final important note from the KRPA recommendations: “sportsmanship,” such as high-five lines after scrimmages or games, should stay touchless, eschewing physical contact, even during the phase-out.
This story was originally published May 22, 2020 at 5:00 AM.