PENFIELD (WHAM) – Charlie Staversky loves playing baseball.
He has been waiting for this week for several months, ever since the COVID pandemic upended most things.
Staversky plays in the Penfield Little League, which was supposed to start in May but was postponed due to the pandemic and an executive order from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“He’s been bouncing off the walls and he’s totally excited to be back and you can tell it’s bringing a sense of normalcy back,” says Dan Staversky, Charlie’s dad.
However, there will be some major differences for both baseball players and spectators.
Andrew Struzik has been working with Mike Baxter, Penfield Little League president, to come up with ways to protect kids from the spread of the virus.
“Every player that comes out is going to have a socially-distanced player cubby in every field,” said Struzik. “The umpires are not going to be behind home plate. They are going to be behind pitchers’ mounds. We’ve encouraged the kids to not have sunflowers seeds, bubblegum, [and to carry] their own labeled water bottles,” said Struzik.
As for friends and family attending the game, the governor has only allowed two spectators per family to attend sporting events. Penfield Little League says its bleachers will be taped off and parents will have to view the game from the outfield.
“It’s going to be a little different because they are used to being down the field and in the action but we are asking them to stay in the outfield areas to keep their social distance from the kids,” said Struzik.
Penfield leaders are hopeful the new rules can keep kids and their parents safe. Staversky says he and his son are getting used to the rules and are just happy to be back on the field.
“For these kids, they are grinning ear to ear and as a parent, as coach as someone in the community. I can assure you this was the right move,” said Staversky.
After two weeks of practice, the Penfield Little League is aiming to start its season by July 18.