Single COVID-19 case prompts two-week shutdown of Lexington youth baseball league
The South Lexington Youth Baseball league has postponed all activities for two weeks due to concerns about COVID-19 exposure.
SLYB President Bret Lavey in an email to the league, obtained by the Herald-Leader, wrote that all activities, including competition, were suspended through Aug. 23.
“Given the number of possible exposures that have been reported and the tracing impacts on siblings in other divisions, we felt like this was the safest decision to help maintain and promote the health of our families, which continues to be our top priority,” Lavey wrote. “We’re looking forward to resuming and appreciate your continued support of SL.”
The email did not cite a specific number of reported cases or possible exposures. Lavey in an email to the Herald-Leader said that the league is aware of only one current positive case.
“Typically the exposure is limited to just that team,” Lavey wrote. “That positive case impacted one game and we haven’t heard from the health department regarding their recommendations following the contact tracing interview with the family. Our protocol is to consider both teams exposed and require all household members to stay away from the park for 14 days from exposure until we’re notified otherwise from the health department.”
Members of the exposed teams, however, were in close contact with teams in another SLYB division before the case and exposure were identifiable.
“The tracing chain made it such that we felt it appropriate to suspend the season for two weeks,” Lavey said. “Hopefully this action will give our families the best opportunity to resume play safely.”
The city health department says it is aware of two all-time cases identified among the league’s players. Lavey said the league has had two cases, all-time, of which he was aware, as well as a previous positive result identified in an assistant coach.
SLYB, a Cal Ripken League affiliate, plays at Shillito Park (300 W. Reynolds Road) in Lexington, located near Fayette Mall.
It is the first known postponement of youth-level baseball in Lexington since play became allowable in June. SLYB began play on June 29 and most recently held five games at the 5-and-6-year-old level on Saturday.
SLYB has previously shared COVID-19 risk mitigation and prevention information from the city health department as part of a response plan on its website. The league, in conjunction with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, has had parents sign a waiver that includes absolving SLYB and LFUCG of any responsibility related to COVID-19 exposure and the possible ramifications thereof.
Other youth baseball leagues have issued the same waiver in coordination with the LFUCG. The city of Lexington’s own youth baseball leagues were canceled.
The state’s guidelines for youth sports recommend the use of masks, but do not require it, leaving it up to the individual leagues to establish and enforce policy. A local doctor last week in a letter to the Herald-Leader wrote that, during youth baseball games played at Veteran’s Park, only four spectators were wearing masks.
This story was originally published August 10, 2020 at 5:08 PM.
