TEXARKANA - It's coming back.
Dixie Youth Baseball is starting back up in Arkansas and Texas with practices on June 1 and games starting as early as June 15 for each state.
The Texarkana Arkansas Baseball Association released a number of guidelines for the season. Social distancing is still in effect. Coaches and all staff are required to wear a face mask and will be screened.
All players 10 years and older must wear a face mask when not in the field of play. Spectators who are 10 years of age and over will need a face mask unless they have food or drink in hand.
On Texas side, the regular season is projected to last four to six weeks depending on the final number of teams. Coaches have been polling former players to try and determine about how many will return to play. It is important for players to respond to the coaches.
The possibility exists that a team with fewer players may be broken up with the players distributed to other teams. In this scenario, players will not have to repurchase uniforms.
Insurance waivers, which now includes a new communicable diseases waiver, will be given to the coaches. Each returning player will have to sign the waiver.
There is a possibility that smaller teams in the area may join the Texarkana League in order to have a season.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Texas will have tournament play for eligible franchised leagues. There will be four Division I and II regionals for 6u, 8u, 10u and 12u.
The divisions are: North Zone Divisions I and II O Zone and AAA, North Zone Divisions I and II coach pitch and t-ball, South Zone Divisions I and II O Zone and AAA and South Zone Division I and II coach pitch and t-ball.
Two teams from each tournament advance to Longview, Texas, to participate in a four-team tournament. The super series regional tournament is Aug. 1-4 and the super series championships are Aug. 7-9 (pending field availability).