In past years, Babe Ruth League, Inc. and Exeter Jr. Baseball and Softball League, Inc. (EJBSL) has required participants registering for its youth sport activities to sign a general Waiver and Liability Release.  This year, EJBSL will require all family members of participants, whether participating in on field activities or spectating, or even just living or associating with EJBSL participants to read, understand and sign this agreement for all the purposes stated below.

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person contact. It is believed that an individual can be infected with COVID-19 without their knowledge and be asymptomatic.  EJBSL will take preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but our pandemic circumstances require that anyone and everyone related to and coming in contact with participants assume personal responsibility.  EJBSL cannot guarantee that signers and minor children listed in this agreement, nor anyone else will not become infected with COVID-19, including family members, relatives and/or guests. Participation in an EJBSL athletic sports program(s), related event, or activity, could increase the risk of contracting COVID-19.

In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in EJBSL athletic sports programs, related events and activities (collectively referred to herein as the “activity” or “activities”), the undersigned, for themselves and as parents/legal guardians of the following named minor children, whether activity participants, spectators and/or family members, attest that they have read and understand this Waiver and Release of Liability Agreement, and agree to it.  The undersigned acknowledge that they are the parents/legal guardians of the following minor children and have Decision Making Responsibility for:

1. Acknowledge the risks of injury and illness (including but not limited to communicable diseases such as MRSA, influenza, and COVID-19) from the activities involved in the EJBSL program are significant, including the potential for permanent paralysis and death, and while particular rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce these risks, the risks of serious injury and illness and death do exist; and

2. Acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL RISK for myself, and all the above listed minor children that I/they may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by participating in an EJBSL related event or activity, and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death to myself, my spouse, child(ren), guests, unborn child, and/or relatives; and

3. Understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at an EJBSL athletic sports program(s), related event, or activity may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself or others, including, but not limited to, EJBSL personnel, coaches, managers, officers, directors, agents, representatives, volunteers, and program participants; and

4. Voluntarily accept and assume all the foregoing risks related to COVID-19 and accept SOLE RESPONSIBILITY for any injury, illness and/or death that may occur; and  

5. Understand and agree that this release includes any claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of EJBSL, its personnel, coaches, managers, officers, directors, agents, volunteers and representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during, or after participation in any EJBSL athletic sports program(s), related event, or activity; and

6. Willingly agree to comply with stated and customary terms and conditions for participation in the activities. If, however, I observe any unusual hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and bring such to the attention of the nearest official immediately; and,

7. For myself and my family and guests, on behalf of my heirs, successors and assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS and HEREBY AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND DEFEND Babe Ruth League, Inc. and EJBSL, their personnel, officers, directors, officials, umpires, coaches and managers, team parents, volunteers, agents, and/or employees, other participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, and owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the activities (“RELEASEES”), WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, ILLNESS (including but not limited to communicable diseases such as MRSA, influenza, and COVID-19), DISABILITY, DEATH, and any and all loss or damage to person or property, and any and all other liability, cost, or expense (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, to the fullest extent permitted by law; and

8. Acknowledge that I’ve had the opportunity to consult with an attorney prior to executing this agreement, that I have carefully read and fully understands all of its provisions, and execute this waiver and release agreement voluntarily and of my free will; and

9. Promise not to institute any charge, complaint, or lawsuit to challenge the validity of this Release or the circumstances surrounding its execution; in such case RELEASEES shall be entitled to recover all of their attorneys’ fees and expenses from Releasor regardless of result; and

I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND SIGN IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT.