Telegraph photo by TOM KING Nashua Legion pitcher Henri Boudreau of Hollis throws a pitch last summer. Boudreau and a lot of other area players are hoping to be able to start working out on fields next week thanks to Friday's state ruling.

NASHUA – Play ball?

Not yet, but at least youth and amateur teams in New Hampshire can practice it.

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu gave his go ahead to small group practices and workouts for amateur and youth sports on Friday with several stipulations.

But don’t expect any baseball practices in the city of Nashua just yet. City fields, including Holman Stadium, are closed until further notice.

“We’ll figure it out,” Nashua Parks Recreation Superintendent Nick Caggiano said late Friday. “We need to get input from the other departments, including the city health department, etc.

“So right now I don’t know (when the fields will be available). We’re going to evaluate it when we get back to work next week.”

The Governor’s Task Force approved stipulations for youth sports earlier this week, pending Sununu’s approval which he formally announced. The keys are group sizes are limited to 10 or less; no competition or contact sports; all training sessions outdoors and adhere to social distancing; Players must have their own equipment; and disinfection of commonly touched surfaces according to CDC guidance at the end of each event.

There are a couple of summer leagues that are looking forward to starting and playing by the end of June/early July that involve area players/teams. American Legion baseball is cancelled, but some Legion teams are looking to form their own one-time league, organized by Nashua Coffey Post Legion manager Tim Lunn. Nashua will have a team in the yet-unnamed 19U circuit

Meanwhile, several high school coaches, spearheaded by Souhegan coach Tom Walker, are looking forward to a summer season with players from their respective teams under the already existing New England Independent Baseball League umbrella (NEIBL).

And all are chomping at the bit.

“I’m hoping to get out on a field soon even if it’s in the middle of nowhere,” Lunn said. “Even if it’s just to play catch. You just need an open field to have some sort of baseball activity. If you don’t have a diamond, you don’t have a diamond, you just have to improvise.”

Walker’s NEIBL wasn’t prepared to get out on a field for limited workouts until June 1.

“We were kind of looking at June 1,” he said. “But if you could get on a field, we’d get out there today. But nobody in our circles that we’re aware of has access to a field.”

“We’re just going to stick with positional groups,” Lunn said, referring to the limit of 10 people. “We’ll kind of work within that and staggered times for now.”

Lunn says there shouldn’t be any out-of-state concerns, as these workouts are approved for only in-state players.

“I know Nashua is unique being on the border of Massachusetts,” Lunn said. “But we have all Nashua kids, kids who attend school in Nashua or just outside of Nashua like Hollis. So we don’t have kids from all over the place. We’re relatively contained.”

And the same for the NEIBL, which is comprised of New Hampshire high school age athletes only.

Here are some of the other key stipulations, with the full list available at nh.gov:

Alcohol based (at least 60 percent) sanitizer must be readily available and used.

Commonly touched surfaces should be frequently cleaned and disinfected

Staff athletes and volunteers need to maintain distance of six feet from others.

Teams need to designate a staff member to monitor that all the protective rules are followed

Staff and athletes need to be screened by answering a list of health and travel-related questions.

During training sessions, parents and other spectators are encouraged to watch from their cars, or keep safe social distancing if away from the parking area.

Locker rooms at any facility must remain closed and players need to arrive dressed and ready.

Players bring their own equipment and not share personal equipment. Athletes also should bring their own water bottles.

Staff and athletes remain in New Hampshire.

All mouth activities shall not be allowed. This includes but not limited to spitting, chewing gum, licking fingers and chewing-spitting sunflower seeds.

In any event, Walker says players and coaches are ready to do whatever necessary to be able to work out as a prelude for further phases that would allow for games.

“Everything they’re asking for is manageable,” Walker said. “In order to play baseball, we’ll do it. … Let’s do what’s best for the kids, and follow the rules.”

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