New England Diamond Gems 3/12/2020
PO Box 186
Wilton NH 03086
Good evening all parents, players, coaches and members of the Diamond
Gems Organization.
At this time the New England Diamond Gems are cancelling all Gems
practices remaining which is this Saturday and Sunday at all locations no
exceptions until further notice.
It is in the best interest of the New England Diamond Gems Organization
and Board of Directors and all its members to ensure the health and well
being of our student athletes , parents , and coaches at this time due to
the Corona Virus.
President Jim Rines
Vice President Johanne Iozzo
Order the stop of all Gems activities on this date March 12 , 2020
We will revisit the health issues in two weeks with the board of directors.
Upon our meeting all members will be notified with our decision with in 24
hours of the meeting scheduled for March 25th , 2020
This notification includes the following facilities
Extreme Sports
Candia Sports center
Hampshire Dome
Concord Sport Center
Coaches please let all your players and parents know of this notification.
If your training at of these facilities please advise there management that
you will be not attending your scheduled field time and hitting time.
To: USSSA Membership
Subject: Notice of New USSSA Mandatory Health & Safety Procedures
Due to concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and in
accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the World Health Organization, and other health authorities,
USSSA is implementing some new, mandatory health and safety procedures
as part of a proactive approach to preventing the spread of germs.
Throughout the USSSA organization, we are adopting these new measures
effective immediately. We cannot stress enough how vital it is that all USSSA
participants adhere to these guidelines.
â€oeNo-Contact/No-Handshake†Policy
USSSA is immediately instituting a precautionary â€oeno-contact, nohandshake
policy†to be observed at every level of the organization until
further notice. This includes all physical contact and extends to customary
game-related activities, such as pre-game coaches’ handshakes, umpirecoach
introductions, and post-game handshakes between members of
opposing teams. Instead, staff, players and coaches should use verbal
queues, such as saying â€oegood game,†without shaking hands, highfiving
or fist-bumping.
Maintain Good Hygiene Practices
All USSSA employees, membership and participants in USSSA-sanctioned
events should be aware of the coronavirus risk and take the necessary
precautions to avoid exposure to germs. This includes maintaining good
hygiene practices. We strongly recommend the following:
• Wash your hands often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds
each time
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand
sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol; this is suggested after any
physical contact with another person or with a shared surface
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover your mouth and nose – with a tissue, if possible – when
coughing or sneezing, then properly discard the tissue in the trash
• Avoid close contact with anyone else who is coughing or sneezing or
who is otherwise sick
• Clean or disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
Advice from the CDC
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has a specific
Q&A regarding the virus in children:
Q: Are children more susceptible to the virus that causes COVID-19
compared with the general population and how can infection be
prevented? A: No, there is no evidence that children are more
susceptible... - see here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/specific-groups/children-faq.html
We will provide updates related to these new measures or let you know
about any additional precautions to take if and when they become
necessary. We appreciate your cooperation in following these new
procedures as we work together to maintain the highest health and safety
standards as an organization.
If you have any questions regarding an event in which you are registered to
participate, please contact your local USSSA state director or other point of
contact for that event.
Thank you.
Donny DeDonatis III
Chief Executive Officer
The USSA Softball association has put this information out.
Please read:
To: USSSA Membership
Subject: Notice of New USSSA Mandatory Health & Safety Procedures
Due to concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and in
accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the World Health Organization, and other health authorities,
USSSA is implementing some new, mandatory health and safety procedures
as part of a proactive approach to preventing the spread of germs.
Throughout the USSSA organization, we are adopting these new measures
effective immediately. We cannot stress enough how vital it is that all USSSA
participants adhere to these guidelines.
â€oeNo-Contact/No-Handshake†Policy
USSSA is immediately instituting a precautionary â€oeno-contact, nohandshake
policy†to be observed at every level of the organization until
further notice. This includes all physical contact and extends to customary
game-related activities, such as pre-game coaches’ handshakes, umpirecoach
introductions, and post-game handshakes between members of
opposing teams. Instead, staff, players and coaches should use verbal
queues, such as saying â€oegood game,†without shaking hands, highfiving
or fist-bumping.
Maintain Good Hygiene Practices
All USSSA employees, membership and participants in USSSA-sanctioned
events should be aware of the coronavirus risk and take the necessary
precautions to avoid exposure to germs. This includes maintaining good
hygiene practices. We strongly recommend the following:
• Wash your hands often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds
each time
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand
sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol; this is suggested after any
physical contact with another person or with a shared surface
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover your mouth and nose – with a tissue, if possible – when
coughing or sneezing, then properly discard the tissue in the trash
• Avoid close contact with anyone else who is coughing or sneezing or
who is otherwise sick
• Clean or disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
Advice from the CDC
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has a specific
Q&A regarding the virus in children:
Q: Are children more susceptible to the virus that causes COVID-19
compared with the general population and how can infection be
prevented? A: No, there is no evidence that children are more
susceptible... - see here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/specific-groups/children-faq.html
We will provide updates related to these new measures or let you know
about any additional precautions to take if and when they become
necessary. We appreciate your cooperation in following these new
procedures as we work together to maintain the highest health and safety
standards as an organization.
If you have any questions regarding an event in which you are registered to
participate, please contact your local USSSA state director or other point of
contact for that event.
Thank you.
Donny DeDonatis III
Chief Executive Officer
As the President and Director of operations we all need to abide by the
notification from USSA written above once the Organization as approved
releasing all Gems team activities.
The board supports all of the above and is waiting for USA , and NSA to
send the same notification out.
The NHIAA as postponed several tournament events in New Hampshire.
Hopefully with in two weeks this out break subsides and we can move
about our daily lives and routines.
Thank you
Jim Rines
New England Diamond Gems
President/Director of Operations
Johanne Iozzo
Vice President
New England Diamond Gems
