Rec Youth Sports Near Owings Mills Allowed With New Guidelines

OWINGS MILLS, MD — Youth sports can start back up for the fall through area rec councils, according to the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks. Sport-specific measures have been introduced to ensure public safety during the coronavirus pandemic.

Guidelines for youth sports were designed in consultation with the Baltimore County Health Department, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Recreation and Parks Association, officials say.

Here are some of the measures in place that will allow fall rec sports to continue:

• All who are not actively playing will be required to wear face coverings.
• Spectators will be limited to players' parents and guardians.
• Players cannot share personal equipment, including drink bottles.
• Huddles, high-fives and handshakes are discouraged. Social distancing is encouraged.
• Players may not be sick with the coronavirus or have been exposed to it in the past 14 days.
• Hand sanitizer will be made available.
• There will be no communal water areas.
• Temperature checks will be conducted.

Sport-specific guidelines apply to football, soccer, baseball and softball as well as cheerleading.

For football, flag football games and scrimmages as well as drills and conditioning exercises are permitted. It is recommended that players wear gloves.

Tackle football games and scrimmages are prohibited.

In soccer, goalkeepers have to wear gloves, and throw-ins are prohibited.

At baseball and softball games, a clean ball must be introduced each half inning, with each change of the bat.

For cheerleading, masks must be worn at all times, and stunts are prohibited.

Get more information about Baltimore County rec councils, including the Owings Mills Recreation and Parks Council, the Reisterstown Recreation Council, the Greater Pikesville Recreation Council, the Liberty Road Recreation and Parks Council and the Woodlawn Recreation and Parks Council, among others.

The Reisterstown Recreation Council is remaining closed, stating it was following the lead of Baltimore County Public Schools in canceling fall sports.