ASUA COVID-19 Update

We hope you are all well staying safe during these unprecedented times.

Most of us are patiently waiting to see if the 2020 softball season will be cancelled or if it will be a shortened season. We would like to reach out and provide some information as we know today. First and foremost, we would like to make sure that all our families are safe and healthy. If through this pandemic you have found yourself or someone in your family affected by this, either health wise or financially, our thoughts are with you and remember we will get through this together.

Currently right now with all the preventive measures that have been put in place in Alberta, all the facilities in most areas have been shut down or have limited gatherings. Softball Alberta has cancelled the provincials for all age categories and the Westerns that were supposed to be held in Alberta. In most zones, leagues and organizations have cancelled or postponed their seasons. There has been a lot of
discussion around if softball or any teams sport will be allowed to be played this summer. Of course, we are optimistic that there will be a return this summer of sports, but only when it is safe for all participants.

Softball Canada along with the provinces have been meeting every 2 weeks, to discuss what the next step is. We have already been told that Newfoundland has turned back the 2 Canadians that they had been awarded and will not be sending any teams to Canadians or eastern for the 2020 season. As things unfold and information is provided, we will keep you updated on the current situation.

In the meantime, the ASUA and the education committee have been working hard to come up with some online clinics and some webinars to keep you engaged in the game of umpiring. We currently know of one group in Calgary that are going to be meeting over Zoom, to discuss rules and just to get together virtually. We would encourage that the leaders in each zone reach out to the members and see if they would be interested in some sort of communication to stay engaged. Please stay posted to social media, our website and other communications as we announce different initiatives during this isolation period. If you have any ideas or would like to see something on a webinar or as a clinic, please reach out to your local branch.

As we work through this, we are sure that there will be some changes in the way that the game is played and administrated today. There are people that are looking at different rules and areas that we may need to have our game adopted as we move through these unprecedented times.

Until we can get together again, please everyone be safe.

Thank you

ASUA Executive