MANSFIELD – The Mansfield University Athletic Department has announced safety guidelines for spectators attending Mountaineer home baseball and softball games this spring. 
 
Mountaineer men's and women's outdoor track & field will also compete in the spring, but do not have a scheduled home meet. 
 
The outdoor venues of Joseph Shaute Field (baseball) and Helen Lutes Field (softball) will be adapted to promote physical distancing for both student-athletes and spectators. All spectators are required to adhere to the Mansfield University Health and Safety Plan provided at here.

Spectator guidelines for at home athletic events include: 

·         While on campus (including outdoors on campus grounds), wearing a face mask that covers the nose and mouth. 

·         Social distancing of at least six (6) feet. 

·         Family pods may sit or stand together, but not with other family pods. 

·         Spectators are not permitted to interact in close contact with any player, coach, official, or support staff members before, during, or after the contest. 

·         Signage will direct fans where they can and cannot sit. Seating will be limited at the venues to meet the social distancing guidelines. Fans are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. 

·         No food or drinks permitted. 

·         No tailgating activities are allowed. 

·         Anyone exhibiting signs or symptoms of illness should not travel or attend games. 

Fans are encouraged to take advantage of the free, live-streaming video coverage of home athletic contests through Mountie All-Access. Coverage links for live video and live stats are available under each program's page at gomounties.com. 
 
Baseball, softball, and men's and women's track and field are set to compete in a full schedule this spring, while men's and women's cross country is preparing to compete in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Cross Country Championships, hosted by Lock Haven University, on March 20. 
 
All competing student-athletes are tested regularly for COVID-19 and are required to complete educational components on COVID-19 safety based on established campus policies. Practices are held with COVID-19 mitigation efforts in place. 
 
The remainder of Mountaineer Athletic programs (sprint football, field hockey, women's soccer, and men's and women's basketball) have returned to out-of-season practices and workouts. 
 
The first home event of the 2021 spring semester is set for Saturday, March 7, when softball hosts the newest member of the PSAC, Shepherd University, at Helen Lutes Field at 1 p.m. MU baseball returns to Mansfield on Friday, March 12 at 12 p.m. when they host West Chester University in a conference doubleheader after opening their season the prior weekend with non-conference foe, Jefferson University. 

Men's and women's track and field will travel to Lock Haven University to open the outdoor season on Saturday, March 27, to compete in the Elliston Early Bird. 
 
Full spring sport schedules and updates can be found on the official athletic website, gomounties.com. 
 
Due to COVID-19 safety and health protocols and the nature of the early-spring weather in the Northeast, game/meet times and dates are subject to change or cancelation. Updates to all schedules can be found at gomounties.com and the official MU Athletics social media accounts (@MUmounties).