(LaPorte, IN) - Umpires will be yelling “play ball” in LaPorte soon. The park department says boys baseball and girls slow pitch softball programs are still on for the summer. Officials say practices for the upcoming season will begin May 26.

Parents who signed up their children to play have until Tuesday to pull out at no cost if they’re concerned about COVID-19. Officials say the decision to go ahead with the seasons follows

a review of the governor’s strategy for a gradual reopening of the state. Parks superintendent Mark Schreiber says a host of precautions will be taken to provide for social distancing at practice and during games.

Players will be allowed to spread out instead of kept confined inside dugouts. Other measures include sanitizing baseballs and other shared pieces of equipment. Schreiber said concession stands will also be closed as part of the social distancing game plan.