Covid Regs

Covid 19 Guidelines

We thank the members of the Ruffnecks community for their adherence to protocols and responsible communications throughout the Covid 19 pandemic. We are able to maintain Ruffnecks activity by following the guidelines and advisories to mitigate the spread of Covid 19.

As of May 29, 2021 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is fully reopened. Outdoor sports mask requirements and activity limitations are lifted. Massachusetts remains under the guidelines of a Travel Advisory. Ruffnecks travel during the summer of 2021 followed Massachusetts and CDC guidelines. We continue to ask members of our community to observe best practices. We also ask everyone to review this page and its contents.

Fall Baseball 2021 functions under the continued guidelines of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and CDC Guidelines and protocols.

Links to Important Guidelines & Considerations

Important Updates as of September 1, 2021

As of May 29, 2021 the Governor of Massachusetts rescinded limitations on Youth and Amateur Sports.
Current Ruffnecks players and families move forward with Fall 2021 activity under the 2021 Consent & Waiver.
New Fall Baseball participants engage in Fall Baseball activity at their own risk for exposure to Covid 19.
All families should review the CDC guidelines and the state guidelines.

For current Massachusetts guidelines, please use the general link to mass.gov/reopening for full information across all sectors and for reports and updates on response to the pandemic. For Ruffnecks Fall Baseball, we adhere to CDC Guidelines. We keep the following links as points of reference ONLY:

Fall Baseball 2021

The Ruffnecks Fall Program is open to returning Ruffnecks and non-rostered players registered for Ruffnecks Fall Programs. All must follow the CDC guidelines (see link above). A few reminders follow for participation:

Any participant exposed to someone with Covid 19 must refrain from attendance in Fall activities if the participant is deemed a “Close Contact” of the infected person(s). This includes the following:
- A household member who tests positive
- Anyone at school or in another non-Ruffnecks activity who tests positive
- Other exposures
Players who are exposed must:
- Stay away from Ruffnecks activity for 10 days (5 days if evidence of vaccination is provided)
- Provide a negative PCR test administered no sooner than 72 hours prior to participation (Regardless of vaccination status).
Fall Baseball participants who are not on a Ruffnecks summer 2021 roster and not under the 2021 Consent Agreement must submit evidence of vaccination or a negative PCR test if they are exposed and deemed a close contact.
The PCR test results must be sent to the Director at neruffnecks@gmail.com
The program shall inform Fall participants only if there is a positive case and the infected individual participated with a specific group.
The program does not disclose names (without permission), or any medical information including vaccination status.
Any unvaccinated player who travels out of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts during the Fall must follow Massachusetts travel guidelines. They must either quarantine or submit a negative PCR administered no sooner than 72 hours prior to the next participation in Fall Baseball activity.
Exposure of any kind to a “Close Contact” warrants caution and concern for others.

Ruffnecks players and their families are encouraged to make their own, informed, decisions in determining the level of participation for indoor and on-field activities. Additional guidelines are provided below:

At the NEBC: Guidelines for Activities

Ruffnecks players, families, coaches shall abide by NEBC guidelines, restrictions, and mandates. NEBC directives are intended to provide a viable, safe, practice and playing environment. NEBC guidelines and regulations may change from time to time. The Ruffnecks program and the NEBC work together to maintain a safe environment and appropriate measures for safety and contact tracing.