Earlier today in a press conference Governor Jay Inslee, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan addressed COVID-19 closures. Governor Inslee has signed an official statewide executive proclamation closing restaurants, bars, entertainment and recreational facilities. This proclamation is in effect for two weeks and will be extended as needed.
During the press conference, Inslee specifically addressed youth sports, select clubs, and training facilities. Confirming the proclamation includes Go Time Athletics and Big League Edge.
As an organization SFC had already canceled formal events. What this now means is all optional practices and workouts are canceled through March 31 as well. This will be evaluated and adjusted as needed.
Softball is not over. We are just on a pause. In the press conference, officials were very clear that you do not have to stay inside and never leave your house. Go for a run, go for a bike ride, go to the park. Make sure you are practicing safety protocols while outside.
Softball Workouts:
- Run every days with your parents or siblings
- Swing the bat and hit into a net off the tee in your back yard
- Throw into a net or with your parents practicing proper technique
- Pitchers – practice your snaps, throw into a net
- Catchers – run workouts in your gear and practice blocking and spring-loading
Virtual Workout Challenge
We launched the Virtual Workout Challenge to each of the teams. Work together on Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, etc., to run core workouts, practice hitting, and stay connected.
Send videos or screen shots so we can share all your hard work on our website and through our social media channels. You can email them to info@seattlefastpitch.com or tag us on Instagram or Facebook.
Be creative! You can write your own core workouts to favorite songs. Use the below for inspiration.
- Beyonce – Who Runs the World (Girls)
- Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk
- Baby Shark Ab Challenge
- Ariana Grande - 7 Rings
- Cha Cha Slide Plank Challenge
Update from Seattle Parks as of 3/16/20: All SPR parks, trails and open spaces are open (with the exception of the Volunteer Park Conservatory, Kubota Garden, and the Japanese Garden). Community members are encouraged to use our parks, but not to congregate and to follow public health guidance.
As always, please reach out to any of our board members or coaches with questions.
Be safe everyone! As Coach Heather Tarr said, this is not the end.
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Information update: March 13, 2020
The SFC board has been in close communication today and over the last week. We are actively discussing the minute-by-minute news and how the club will continue to move forward. We are mindful the wide range of feedback we’ve received from families and are doing our best as a club to follow the guidelines of the CDC and King County Department of Health.
We have been advised by the King County Department of Health that, as long as you are healthy and are following safety protocols, getting out and exercising is a good thing.
Our board has also been in contact with the leaders of other trusted select softball organizations. The softball community is working together across the Puget Sound to keep families updated with the facts and remain a positive force.
SFC Operating Update
Our coaches have been communicating directly with teams. To reiterate what you’ve received from coaches, please see below:
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Update from Mark at Go Time Athletics:
Mark has locked GTA down to only his trusted partners. This means only SFC and one other select club are being allowed to use the space. He is also running limited staff and is following safety and cleanliness protocols as outlined by the CDC. Mark is a good partner to SFC and we’re working diligently with him minute-by-minute.
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Tournament Cancellations:
Ice-Breaker Hotel Cancelation: The Warriors, Flare, and Attitude were competing in the Ice-Breaker. Families attending the Ice-Breaker, please call to cancel your hotel room ASAP.
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Tips: It’s still cold and flu season, and the same practices that stop the spread of these common illnesses are recommended:
Safety Protocols: We are following safety protocols as outlined by the Washington State Department of Health. Or, for a nice summary visit the Kaiser Permanente Washington website.
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Parks Closures: Friday morning, the City of Seattle announced that effective at 6:00 p.m. March 13, 2020, all SPR and SPS permitted athletic field events will be canceled until at least April 13, 2020. In addition, all recreation facilities and programs, as well as facility rentals and permitted events, will be canceled during this time period. This means that our parks permit is no longer valid and the fields are effectively closed.
As always, please reach out to any of our board members or coaches with questions.
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Information update: March 12, 2020
We are open! We are running! We will operate as usual! It’s very important that we be the positive, steady constant for our players in a world full of closures and uncertainties. We are a family and we are here for you!
Go SFC!
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Tournament Cancellations:
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** Ice-Breaker Hotel Cancelation: The Warriors, Flare, and Attitude were competing in the Ice-Breaker. Families attending the Ice-Breaker, please call to cancel your hotel room ASAP. **
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Indoor Facilities: We have also been assured by our indoor facility partners they are following cleanliness protocols to ensure a safe environment. Although, our partners have asked players to bring their own hand sanitizer because supplies are running low.
If you don’t feel safe coming to practice, you will not be penalized for missing practice. Please communicate with your coaches to keep them informed.
If you need to miss practice to protect the health of a loved one, it's okay. You will not be penalized for missing practice. Please communicate with your coaches to keep them informed.
If you are sick, please stay home and rest. We want you to be healthy and happy. We have a long season ahead and it’s very important, if you don’t feel well, you stay home and rest. The same applies if you have the flu. Take care of yourself!
Protect yourself and your loved ones. Here’s what you can do to prevent illness:
Safety Protocols: We are following safety protocols as outlined by the Washington State Department of Health. Or, for a nice summary visit the Kaiser Permanente Washington website.
School Closures: About 1:00 p.m. today Governor Inslee announced the closer of all schools in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties through April 24. There are also quite a few closures in Kitsap county and across Washington state.
Please reach out to any of our board members or coaches with questions.
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Information update: March 11, 2020
There is a lot of information in the news and all over social media about Novel Coronavirus / COVID-19. While the future is uncertain, we would like to assure families, SFC is closely monitoring the facts and will keep you updated as the information is released.
Team Practices and Scrimmages: At this time, we are planning to run our normally scheduled practices and games. While we did cancel some practices in light of the Seattle Public Schools closure, our current plan to resume normal operations Friday, March 13. We will adjust as needed.
Indoor Facilities: We have also been assured by our indoor facility partners they are following cleanliness protocols to ensure a safe environment. Although, our partners have asked players to bring their own hand sanitizer because supplies are running low.
Tournaments: USA Softball and USSSA canceled their tournaments for the weekend of March 14-15.
At this time, we have not received notification of future tournament cancellations. We are working closely with tournament directors to stay informed of any updates.
If you need to miss practice to protect the health of a loved one, it's okay. You will not be penalized for missing practice. Please communicate with your coaches to keep them informed.
If you are sick, please stay home and rest. We want you to be healthy and happy. We have a long season ahead and it’s very important, if you don’t feel well, you stay home and rest. The same applies if you have the flu. Take care of yourself!
Protect yourself and your loved ones. Here’s what you can do to prevent illness:
More information: For more information on Coronavirus please see the CDC website.
Please reach out to any of our board members or coaches with questions.
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News Updates as of March 11, 2020: Just after noon Seattle Public Schools announced they are closing for a minimum of 2 weeks due to COVID-19. This morning Governor Jay Inslee announced a ban on gatherings and events of more than 250 people in King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties.
Gov. Inslee bans gatherings, events of more than 250 amid coronavirus outbreak