Florida set to proceed with 70-team youth baseball tournament this weekend

A Florida county is going forward with a 70-team youth baseball tournament this weekend, nearly three weeks after Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) lifted the state’s stay-at-home order, according to USA Today.

The Brevard County Commission unanimously authorized the Orlando-area U.S. Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) to resume playing tournaments at the Space Coast Complex in Viera, Fla.

The event could draw upwards of 1,500 people, including players, coaches and family members, to a single sports complex.

Nonessential gatherings larger than 10 people are still discouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

The USSSA has implemented increased safety measures at the tournament, including more hand sanitizer stations and eliminating the award ceremony.

“We’re excited that some of our states are opening up for sport competition,” USSSA CEO Donny DeDonatis said in a video message on USSSA’s Facebook page.

“While we want our athletes to get back on the field and able to play, we want to ensure everyone takes necessary precautions to remain safe. We are encouraging social distancing, limiting attendance and providing sanitation needs, but still require every tournament to be in compliance with their state and local governments,” he added. 

DeSantis was one of the last governors to issue a stay-at-home order and one of the first to begin to lift it. 

As of Friday morning, the state has reported 48,675 positive cases of coronavirus and 2,144 deaths.