A coalition of baseball officials, coaches and 400 families statewide have been sending letters to Gov. Ned Lamont, urging him to allow softball and baseball games this summer.

The Connecticut Baseball Alliance says baseball and softball are the original social distancing sports.

The alliance says games can happen safely with new protocols, like moving home plate, moving the umpire behind the pitcher's mound, sanitizing balls every half inning, not using the dugouts and prohibiting the use sunflower seeds and bubble gum among others.

Central Connecticut assistant baseball coach Pat Hall founded the alliance. He says having kids stay inside and off public fields so far has been good for their safety.

"But now that things are starting to trend the other way, I believe getting outside with the fresh air, being around their friends, and teammates, being able to compete in something they love is extremely beneficial for them for their mental standpoint," said Hall.

Hall says he doesn't want kids to have to wear protective masks out on the field, but if that's a make-or-break situation with the state, the alliance says they'll do what they always do and play ball.

In Gov. Lemont's briefing Wednesday afternoon, he said select youth sports could begin as part of Phase 2 June 20, but did not specify which sports those would be.

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