“Play ball” will echo throughout the Softball Yukon fields this summer as minor and adult leagues will be able to have a season during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The territory’s ballplayers, of all ages, have been away from the Yukon’s favourite summer pastime for a year. Last year, COVID-19 walked-off the minor softball season, the slo-pitch season, along with Dustball.

This year’s season will have a different feel to it given the circumstances but Softball Yukon president George Arcand said the excitement is growing to play ball.

“It will be great to be on the field again,” said Arcand. “Albeit under COVID rules.”

One of the big changes Softball Yukon will be integrating into the season is the pod system. There will be four teams to a pod. At 15 people per team, that is 60 people in the bubble. Arcand said this will be used for both minor and adult play.

“We are doing the same thing as hockey,” said Arcand. “It worked fine, however, you won’t play as many people.”

There will be no switching of pods during the season.

“We’d have to shut down and do a two-week isolation to switch pods,” said Arcand. “It’s like if a family member travels Outside. You have to isolate also.”

Pre-game, all players need to sanitize their hands when they enter the dugout. Players are also asked to avoid handshakes and team meetings.

Arcand said when teams are in the dugout they must wear a mask. A mask does not need to be worn out on the field because the six-foot rule can be applied.

Players can wear masks on the field if they wish.

“I expect everyone will be hanging outside of the dugout,” said Arcand.

“Also in the dugout, there is no spitting, no gum, no nothing allowed.”

During the game, the ball will not be shared between games. Sanitized game balls are to be controlled by each bench and are to be used when their respective team is in the field.

After each use, bats will be required to be sanitized and the umpire will not handle any equipment. Also, players and coaches must refrain from handshakes or high fives throughout the game.

Arcand said an advisory committee made up of players has been working for several months to get the season going.

These folks, Arcand said, have been working to make sure the season can be played safely.

Despite the rule changes, Arcand said registration is filling up.

“We knew based on the conversations we’ve had that people were anxious to get out,” said Arcand. “Right now, minor ball is full but there is still room in some of the older groups.

“Co-ed is registering their teams right now. Based on the teams we have we will have a waiting list.”

COVID-19 isn’t the only obstacle keeping softball from resuming, the amount of snow still on the fields will probably push back the starting dates.

“Typically, minor ball starts close to the beginning of May,” said Arcand.

“Co-ed starts the second week of May before the long weekend.”

Arcand said within the pods teams will still play two games a week. If the snow lingers delaying the usual start of the season, Arcand said they can hopefully push the season longer into the summer.

Although the league play will resume, Arcand said Dustball is unlikely to happen given the current state of the pandemic.

“Under present conditions, there will be no Dustball unless something changes,” said Arcand. “We know people are getting vaccinated and we’d love to see the situation get better. But, with the variants in Ontario and in B.C., there will be caution in the Yukon.

“Still, we hope for the best.”

Softball Yukon, Arcand said, did not work with Softball Canada to get its season underway. However, he did say nationals will not happen this year.

Regardless of all the rule changes dictated by the pandemic, Arcand said he is happy the Yukon will be playing ball.

“We are ahead of some of the provinces,” said Arcand. “We have a good picture of what we can do and we will adapt as we go. It is important to remain fluid.”