The NJ Baseball Coalition is a group of baseball programs, organizations and industry leaders formed to support youth athletes, coaches, umpires and baseball businesses.

We recognize how important baseball is and how it can be a key building block not only to our physical health, but to our mental health as well. Being part of a team helps build character, leadership and community. This is something we need now more than ever.

It is extremely important our baseball community feels safe returning to the field. Our goal is to provide a safe way to be able to reopen baseball.

According to Dr. Bhattacharya, with proper safety protocols, youth baseball and softball is the perfect place to start when thinking about resuming sports. The nature of baseball means players are already participating in social distancing while on the field. Dr. Bhattacharya stressed the importance of carefully thinking about how to best protect participants.

Reopening golf was a good first-step, but mostly affluent people play golf with a significant portion of them being retirees who are considered “most at-risk” for serious Covid-related complications. According to the National Golf Foundation, golfers 65+ played 3x as many rounds annually as those aged 18-34. The baseball ecosystem supports people of all ages (specifically 6-18) and socioeconomic classes.

Baseball is virtually a no-contact sport played outdoors and the sport should get the same chance as golf to open up safely

As Governor Phil Murphy said "Life in New Jersey does not have to come to a complete standstill. We want people to stay healthy, both physically and mentally." The signers of this petition believe that not allowing baseball to be played in New Jersey this summer will have a profoundly negative impact on the community's health, both physically and mentally. We also feel that this is a measure that will make our lives feel as if it has come to a complete standstill.

We ask the Governor to allow us to get back out on the baseball field safely. Some of the guidelines/rules include social distancing and safety measures on the field including limiting the number of players in the dugout at one time, asking the parents to sit 6 feet apart, no team coolers, no seeds/spitting, no handshakes or high fives and more. Full list of rules/guidelines to be posted here soon.

Is it safe to play baseball? - Interview with Dr. Nicole Saphier: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=467172670748484

Here are the organizations who support this group:

*If you would like your organization added to this list please contact brian@usabl.com

USABL

ABCCL

All Out Baseball

Alliance Baseball

Amateur Baseball Association

Adrenaline Sports Academy

Baseball Warehouse

BC Cyclones

Bloomfield Little League

Bloomfield Baseball Association

Bloomfield Buzzards

Cage Academy

CAPCO Sports

CJUA

CJ Rebels

Central Jersey Tremor

Clemente Baseball Club

CK Cardinals

Colossal Baseball

Complete Performance Baseball Academy

CrossBridge Raiders

East Coast Independent Umpire’s Association (ECIUA)

EABO Riverdawgs

Delsea Dragons

Denville Storm

Frazier Baseball

FB Braves

Fielders Choice

Flemington Raritan Softball League

Flemington Flames

Full Count Baseball

Garden State Ducks

Hamilton A's

Hillsborough Baseball League

Hit & Run

Hustle Baseball

In The Zone

Jefferson Falcons Softball

Jersey Boyz Baseball

Jersey Giants

Jersey Shore Baseball League - Est. 1912

Jersey State Bombers

Jersey Shore Wave

Jersey Girls Fastpitch

Jersey Venom

Langan Baseball

Little League Baseball NJ

Lincroft Lightning Blue

Locked In Expos

Long Valley Freaks

LumberKings

Mavericks Baseball

Manalapan Braves

Manalapan Bulldogs

Middletown Eagles Baseball

Morris County Cubs

Mount Olive Baseball & Softball Association

NJABL

NJ Heat

NJ Panthers

New Jersey Baseball

New Jersey Rising Rebels

NISF Hitmen

NJ Axemen

NJ Marlins

North Jersey Vipers

Nutley East Little League

Old Bridge Lightning

Old Bridge Thunder

Out of the Park

ParkEast Basebal

Paterson Old Timers Youth Baseball League - Est. 1949

Philly Lightning

Power 5 Baseball

Power Arm Raiders

PPH Patriots

Pro Skills Baseball

Prospects Baseball Academy

PS2 Academy

PVLL

Ridge Red Devils

Rutherford Little League

Sayen Park Warriors

SOMERSET PATRIOTS

SJ Braves Baseball & Softball

Sparta Cyclones

Sportika

The Garden State Rebels

The Hit Factory

The Upper Deck

Triple Crown Baseball

Untamed Baseball

Wall Waves

West Jersey Wildcats

West Orange PAL

Wladyka Baseball

Zoned Redhawks