Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update - Updated 5/28/20

UPDATE AS OF May 28, 2020:

For the current information from Little League International see their recommendations which can be found at https://www.littleleague.org/player-safety/coronavirus-update/.

In District 2 a number of our leagues have made the difficult decision to cancel their spring season programs. Most of the leagues are evaluating what programs they will be able to offer this summer and fall. As this information becomes available the leagues will notify their families. Please check your local league website for updates.

As of May 28, 2020 the counties of Mason, Kitsap, and Jefferson have been approved to move into Phase 2 of the WA State reopening plan. Clallam county is approved to apply but has not yet received approval. Pierce county is not yet eligible to apply. Note that Phase 2 does not allow fully opening our youth programs. It appears that game type activities (with some restrictions) will not be permitted until Phase 3.

For current information from Washington State go to https://coronavirus.wa.gov/.

UPDATE AS OF APRIL 21, 2020:

Little League International has just posted the following recommendation which can be found at https://www.littleleague.org/player-safety/coronavirus-update/.

Little League International operates more than 6,500 programs in more than 84 countries, and therefore, recommends that leagues exercise an abundance of caution and implement a temporary suspension/delay of all league activities until no earlier than May 11.

When will Little League International update district and local league volunteers on the May 11 date to start/resume the 2020 season?

We understand that many of our districts, leagues, volunteers, parents, and players want to get back to the Little League® field, and so do we, but our primary focus is on the safety and well-being of all of our members around the world. At this time, Little League International continues to recommend its original date of May 11, which was chosen to coincide with the eight-week recommendation set in March by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in regards to large gatherings. It is important to note, that the most recent guidance from the CDC also states that “most organized activities and sports such as basketball, baseball, soccer, and football that are held on park fields, open areas, and courts are not recommended” at this time, in addition to the large gathering recommendations originally provided. We are planning to have more information and guidance to our volunteers by early May, and encourage everyone to continue to visit LittleLeague.org/Coronavirus for all the latest updates.

Little League International will continue to monitor the progression of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak both in the United States and around the world and provide updates to its local leagues and districts, however, it is highly encouraged that each league and district adheres to the guidelines set forth by the state and local government and health officials in terms of public gatherings and sporting events when determining when it is safe to return to normal activities. We appreciate the patience, understanding, and flexibility of all our volunteers, players, and parents, and hope to get back to the field one day soon.

UPDATE AS OF MARCH 16, 2020:

This is much bigger than Little League^®.

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is rapidly changing the way that we, as global citizens, think, act, gather, learn, and live our daily lives. And, yes, that also means how we play Little League.

With the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Little League International Board of Directors and staff is now strongly advising all its local Little League programs to suspend/delay their Little League seasons through no earlier than Monday, May 11. We implore you to follow this recommendation and suspend all Little League activities through no earlier than May 11.

We recognize that this is the heart of the traditional Little League season, and we share in the great disappointment that many are feeling surrounding this additional pause in the 2020 season. However, it is our hope that by doing this, we will all play a small, but important part in flattening the curve in the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

We will continue to consult with appropriate medical advisors, government health officials and our volunteer leaders around the world, and we are committed to doing the best we can for the safety and well-being of our players, families, volunteers, and fans.

As this situation evolves, Little League International is committed to sharing the best guidance possible for all of our 6,500 leagues in more than 84 countries. It is our sincere hope that we can find ways to bring everyone back to the Little League fields this season, whether that’s later this spring or throughout the summer.

Currently, Little League International is working through all possible scenarios for the 2020 Little League International Tournament and tournament eligibility for our leagues and players in our various divisions of play.

Little League will continue to provide additional guidance on the impact of delaying the season and has developed a series of FAQs available at LittleLeague.org/Coronavirus. We are committed to sharing information as it becomes available on issues like player eligibility and tournament participation, charter and insurance status for the year, and A Safety Awareness Program plan deadlines.

We also will be sharing guidance on how to resume operations when appropriate, best practices for handling the financial implications, and how you can communicate with parents and families in your communities about this delay in Little League activity. This information will continue to be developed and shared on LittleLeague.org/Coronavirus and through all of our communications methods.

There are countless resources available, and we urge you to follow the information available through World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), your state’s public health department (click here for a listing of state public health departments), and other county and/or local authorities including precedents set by area school districts and government agencies.

We encourage you to stay in touch with Little League and share any additional feedback or questions from your local communities by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thank you all for your support, understanding, and community leadership.

We will be thinking of our global Little League community during this difficult time.

UPDATE AS OF MARCH 12, 2020:

Little League International has just posted the following recommendation which can be found at https://www.littleleague.org/player-safety/coronavirus-update/.

Last updated on 3/12/2020 at 6:00 PM EST

As information continues to become available regarding the increasing spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), we wanted to provide you, our leagues and district administrators, with additional guidance on the implementation of the Little League® program in your local communities.

Little League International operates more than 6,500 programs in more than 84 countries, and therefore, we recommend that our leagues exercise an abundance of caution and implement a temporary suspension of all league activities until no earlier than April 6.

While each community is being affected differently by the coronavirus, the Little League International Board of Directors and staff feel that it is in the best interest of our volunteers and participant families to delay the implementation of the Little League season to begin no earlier April 6. If your league chooses to continue to operate in its local community, then we strongly encourage you to seek the counsel of your community municipalities, public health departments, and local school districts.

For those leagues that have already begun their seasons, we kindly ask that you postpone all league activity that may involve the gathering of individuals for games, practices, events, or meetings. If you have not started your season, we kindly ask that you modify your schedule and season plans to start no earlier than April 6.

Should Little League determine that the recommended delay of the season will extend past April 6, we will provide timely notification and information regarding the impact of such a delay.

We are committed to communicating with you on a consistent basis, providing you with additional information and best practices to work through the coronavirus pandemic. Please look for our official communication via email, on our website (LittleLeague.org/coronavirus), and on social media (@LittleLeague).

Over the course of the next few weeks, Little League will continue to provide additional guidance on the impact of delaying the season on player eligibility and tournament participation, charter and insurance status for the year, A Safety Awareness Program plan deadlines, and guidance for communicating with parents and families in your communities. At this time, no decision has been made regarding delaying the start of the Little League International Tournament, however, it is our hope that Little League seasons can continue uninterrupted after April 6.

Based on Little League International’s recommendation that you suspend your season until April 6, Little League will be considerate of the missed game play opportunities as we establish a new policy for tournament eligibility for the 2020 tournament season. It is our hope to alleviate any concerns of the impact of the situation on the tournament season and that your league and its families can focus on the health and well-being of your community at this time.

We will continue to work with our medical advisors as we closely monitor the situation, and we are advising all our leagues and families to follow the guidelines set by the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), your state’s public health department (click here for a listing of state public health departments), and other county and/or local authorities including precedents set by area school districts and government agencies.

We encourage you to share this information with parents and membership of your league to ensure they are up-to-date and informed.

As the situation continues to develop, Little League International will do our best to continue to keep our leagues, volunteers, and families informed. We encourage you to stay in touch with Little League and share any additional feedback or questions from your local communities by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We will be thinking of our global Little League community during this difficult time.

If your league or district is taking additional proactive, preventative measures in regards to the coronavirus in your area, and delaying or altering its schedule or season, we ask that you please notify Little League International by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

After resuming the season following the recommended delay, we encourage everyone – including players, volunteers, families, and fans – to follow the best practices as outlined by the CDC, which include washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (if soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer); avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; and avoid close contact with people who are sick. We would also encourage you all to limit close, physical contact with others (including shaking hands). Click here to learn more about the CDC recommendations. In addition, cleaning and sanitizing hard surfaces and shared equipment that your league utilizes; tipping caps/visors instead of shaking hands at the end of a game; making sure all players have their own water/drink bottles and are not sharing; stocking bathrooms and concession stand areas with soap and hand sanitizer; and, if any volunteers are uncomfortable or cannot attend a league or district meeting, utilizing free phone/web conferencing service, are some alternative ways that leagues can help follow best practices while this health concern remains.

March 9, 2020

WA State and King County officials held a press conference this morning about the recent developments of COVID-19 in the Seattle area. Below are their requests to the public:

Wash your hands often and for a minimum duration of 20 seconds.
Try not to touch your face with your hands.
If you’re sick (from anything – cold, etc.), stay home.
Don’t buy face masks unless you have a compromised immune system or do so for cultural reasons. This request is meant to ensure there’s enough masks for healthcare workers and those with compromised immune systems.
WA State has set up a call center to address questions from the public. Phone # 1-800-525-0127
If you think you may have COVID-19, don’t go to urgent care. Call your health care provider (or the WA state call center) and ask for guidance. This keeps you away from other sick individuals, long waits, and frees up urgent care workers to help others.
WA State Lab can now test up to 200 samples a day here in Seattle. UW labs will also start testing samples today or tomorrow (potentially up to 1,000 samples could be tested daily).
They are not recommending schools to close or activities to be cancelled at this time.

Below are additional resources that describe the virus and provide news updates.

Interleague Play - Baseball & Softball

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In District 2 we utilize interleague play for several divisions. It is important to remember that every league participating in interleague play agrees to abide by the Interleague Rules that are established for the division in which they are participating. In some cases (Minor & Major baseball) the interleague play is between a small group of leagues. In those cases the interleague rules are established by the few leagues participating. Our Softball, Junior baseball and Senior baseball encompass more leagues and the interleague rules for those groups have been established by the participating leagues and documented by the District.

For a copy of the Minor or Major baseball interleague rules contact your league. The interleague rules for Softball, Junior and Senior baseball are available here on the District 2 website.

WA D2 Section 5 Guidelines for Junior & Senior Baseball 2019

WA D2 Section 6 Guidelines for Interleague Softball 2019

If a division is participating in interleague play, for instance Major Softball, all games shall be played using the Interleague Rules whether the game is between teams from different leagues or teams from the same league. In other words, use one set of rules for all games played. Don't be changing the rules at different game sites.

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