Dear Parents, Players, Coaches, and Volunteers,

We hope this message finds you, your family, and friends in good health and safe in these troubling and difficult times. It's unbelievable to think that just a few short weeks ago we were in the throws of preparing for the upcoming baseball and softball season, only to find ourselves in the middle of a global pandemic a short time later. It's a time of uncertainty, but we know our UPLL family will be remain strong long after it is over.

We previously communicated that Upper Providence Little League had postponed the start of the Spring 2020 Recreational season until April 6th. Today, in response to Little League International's recommendations and the stay at home order now in place for the State of Pennsylvania, the UPLL Board of Directors has extended the postponement until May 11, 2020.

As the month of April unfolds, the Board will continue to monitor the emerging situation and explore plans for a condensed spring season. We remain committed to providing a recreational baseball and softball program to our community, but will only do so within a safe and healthy environment.

The Pennsylvania stay at home order has also affected upcoming UPLL events and activities:

• Our spirit wear vendor has been affected by the closure of non-essential businesses in their state. This closure has caused a delay in the shipment and delivery of orders from our recent Online Spirit Wear sale. We’ll provide an update on the status of these orders as information becomes available.
• The UPLL Comedy Event at Soul Joel’s in Royersford on April 2nd has been postponed. Tickets will be honored for either the rescheduled UPLL event or any other show at Soul Joel’s. Once rescheduled, we will communicate the new event date via email.
• UPLL Night at Spring-Ford Rams Baseball on April 8th has also been postponed.

We remind you that all UPLL Facilities remain closed. However, we hope you can find a nice patch of grass around your home and take this time to enjoy the simplicity of having a catch with your child, working on their hitting and pitching skills, and enjoying some exercise as the weather improves. Below are resources to help UPLL families have fun playing backyard baseball and softball:

• UPLL Coach and Volunteer Paul Tartaglia is a sales representative for Bownet and other athletic gear. If you’re looking for a net for your backyard, a tee, or other baseball and softball gear, contact Paul for his latest, discounted prices.
• "Jaeger Bands” are a great way to keep young arms in shape with limited space. Made from surgical tubing, you can attach a J-Band securely to a chain-link fence to do different exercises.
• An unfinished basement or garage wall and a tennis ball are great ways to improve hand-eye coordination and infielding.

We understand that this crisis may place some UPLL families in difficult and trying circumstances. If your family is facing economic hardship due to the COVID 19 pandemic, please let Upper Providence Little League know how we can help. Just as we encourage our players to do on the field for their teammates, the league proudly offers support to UPLL families when they need it. Several UPLL coaches have joined forces to form Spring-Ford Youth Sports Cares, an initiative to raise money and collect food donations for those in need in our community. Please consider making a monetary or item donation to help our fellow community members!

Thank you for your support of Upper Providence Little League and your patience as we adjust to this ever-changing and emerging situation. Continue to stay safe and healthy. We may not know when but … WE WILL PLAY BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL AGAIN AT UPLL!