Gov. Ducey Announces Organized Arizona Youth Sports Can Resume

On Thursday, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced that organized youth sports in Arizona can return to operations.

The state plans to issue guidance for returning to activities.

“I said that things would be getting back to normal when somebody could say play ball or batter up,” Ducey said during a press conference. “I was hoping that that play ball was for the Arizona Diamondbacks, but in the meantime it can be for Little League.”

During the press conference, Ducey specifically mentioned summer leagues, summer schools and day camps as activities that would need guidance.

“We will continue to work with school leaders to ensure the needs of the children around the state are being met,” Ducey said.

The Arizona Interscholastic Association also unveiled its three-phased return-to-play guidelines on Thursday.

First Phase

The initial phase allows for group activities of no more than 10 people with an on-site coach and activities cannot be conducted at public facilities. Standard strict coronavirus preventative measures will be required.

Second Phase

The second phase allows for group activities to be upped to no more than 50 people and requires an on-site coach. Public facilities are to remain closed for the activities. Standard strict coronavirus preventative measures will be required.

Third Phase

The final phase reopens public training facilities and does not limit the amount of people allowed to participate. This phase also does not require social distancing, although the AIA recommends it.

The plan does not provide specific target dates for each of the phases.

“Our priority through this is for the safety and well-being of all our state’s student athletes and those that support them,” AIA Executive Director David Hines said in a press release. “We are not guaranteed to have a fall season.

“We are preparing to be ready on time, but it will all depend on how this situation develops as the summer goes on.”