Outdoor Youth Sports Returning To NYC Next Month

NEW YORK CITY — Starting next month, NYC Parks will be again allowed to issue permits for outdoor youth sports.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday announced the city will allow sports to resume for low to moderate-risk youth on Sept. 15. The announcement comes with new measures designed to protect players and spectators from transmitting the new coronavirus.

"Our children have been through so much this year and have been yearning for more outdoor play,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Thankfully we’re continuing to see improvement in beating back this disease, and can safely permit youth sports this fall. We’ll continue to monitor our progress and put health and safety first."

A news release from the mayor's office said permits will be issued for sports including baseball, softball and soccer. Indoor sports like swimming, however, will not be permitted.

During games, all coaches, staff members, spectators and sidelined players are required to wear face coverings. Athletes are also urged to wear face coverings when possible. Anyone who is not actively playing in a game is also required to practice social distancing, and spectators are limited to two per player.

When games come to an end, the city demands that all attendees disperse immediately without congregating.

The release stated NYC Parks will monitor games and issue violations to anyone failing to follow health and safety orders. Teams with three violations will have their permits revoked.

De Blasio also said permits for all sports will be suspended if the city's positivity rate exceeds 3 percent.

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver said outdoor exercise is intended to help the city's youth stay healthy while reducing stress caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“In a time when our mental and physical health has increased stressors, every opportunity we can provide our city’s youth with safe outdoor play is a benefit to us all," he said. "As we look to the start of the fall youth athletic season in our parks, I encourage all to follow the rules and do so safely."