skip navigation

COVID-19 Update from Commissioner Gulmon

By Dick Gulmon, 05/02/20, 2:15PM CDT

Share

Updated May 2nd following an Executive Council meeting

Updated on May 2, 2020....

Dear Softball Community,

On Saturday, May 2nd, our Executive Council met via an online video conference to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on our 2020 season and to gather input on how to proceed going forward. Following Governor Burgum’s recommendation, our state is only in the very earliest stages of “reopening”. That has provided some cautious optimism for our society as we head into the summer months, but it is no time to be take anything for granted.

A lot can change – good or bad – over the next couple of weeks. Therefore, while we have a rough idea of the direction we would like to go, we will continue to compile information from a variety of sources over that time with the intention of finalizing more specific details at our Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 16th.

What we do know is that we have every intention of playing softball in some form this year, but we need to do so only at such a time as we can feel that all those involved can reasonably be kept safe. We are currently at a point where we are comfortable proceeding with Junior Olympics registrations and permitting adult or JO team practices of no more than 10 people (albeit only upon approval by field owners/Park & Rec departments and maintaining social distancing). Once we do take the field for competition, the experience will inevitably be quite different in some ways (the handling of shared equipment, for example).

Once again, we greatly appreciate your patience with this process, especially at a time when everyone is eager to take advantage of recent weather trends and enjoy this sport we love so much. We do not take our responsibilities as administrators of this association lightly even under normal circumstances. That is only magnified as it relates to the health and well-being of our members. Barring a significant step backwards, we should be able to inform you of when and how we can get back to the ballpark following the May 16th meeting. Until then, we wish for you & your family to remain safe and healthy.

Thank you and take care!

Dick Gulmon
Commissioner, USA Softball of North Dakota

Updated on April 22, 2020....

Dear Softball Community,

My last communication was on March 17th indicating that we would follow the CDC recommendations and suspend all softball activities for 8 weeks to May 10th.  Not much has changed since March 17th and we have been mostly at a stay at home recommendation as much as you can with social distancing a high priority.  I know everyone is anxious to enjoy some outdoor activities as soon as we can.  I am still hopeful that that we will have a softball season but currently have no idea when that may begin.  I have called an Executive Board/Advisory Board meeting to discuss many issues regarding softball play in North Dakota for May 2nd. 

On the National level, there will be a decision regarding whether National Tournaments will be held in 2020 by June 1st. The National Council meeting scheduled in early November has been canceled and no Rule/Code changes will be made for the season of 2021 this year.

We will look for guidance from the Governor and Field Owners regarding when softball will return in North Dakota.

Kind Regards,

Dick Gulmon
USA Softball of North Dakota Commissioner

Original article from March 17, 2020....

Dear Softball Community,

USA Softball is making a recommendation that all softball organizations across the country follow the guidelines of the CDC for their programming. What this means is we are recommending that all softball activity in the State of North Dakota be suspended for 8 weeks. The 8 week period will take us through Sunday, May 10th. This means the cancelation of our Annual Meeting, HOF Banquet, Leagues, Tournaments, etc.  We will continue to reevaluate the situation and the effect on our softball program as time moves on.

Our primary concern is to protect the safety and health of all concerned.

Kind regards,

Dick Gulmon
USA Softball of North Dakota State Commissioner

Get the latest COVID-19 updates from USA Softball here.