Santa Maria Parks and Rec Department opens parks to games for select sports

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - It's time to play ball in Santa Maria.

“We’re really excited to be opening sports slowly but surely here in the city of Santa Maria. Right now we’re preparing for our softball season,” said Recreation Services Manager Dennis Smitherman of the Santa Maria Parks and Rec Department.

The department is allowing baseball and softball games at parks thanks to Santa Barbara county's return to the less restrictive Red Tier.

But the games will be modified because of the pandemic.

“It is going to be closed to spectators. Only allowing participants. They must wear masks. So there will be some guidelines. But like I said, it’s a start. And as we continue to move up in the tiers, hopefully we’ll be able to offer a little bit more,” said Program Specialist Candida Reyes of the Santa Maria Parks and Rec Department.

In addition to wearing a mask and maintaining a physical distance, players are currently not allowed to use the dugouts like this for games.

“Things are going great, and people are being really respectful of the rules. We really just hope that people will continue to wear their mask so these numbers can drop, and we can get more and more sports open,” said Smitherman.

If the number of COVID-19 cases continues to drop, the department hopes to allow soccer, basketball and volleyball soon.

"We just have to continue to mask up. And hopefully we’ll see the numbers drop. And we’ll get to that point where we can get some normal back," said Reyes.

"But as long as people are wearing masks and following the rules, we'll be able to do more sports," said Smitherman.

Currently the sports games are allowed a 50 percent capacity on the field.