Youth baseball and softball players can now participate in practices and play games in the city of Greenfield.

The Board of Health passed a motion at their Tuesday meeting by a 3-0 margin to allow youth contact sports to begin play on city fields immediately, following guidelines set forth by Gov. Charlie Baker’s office in Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan.

Phase 3 went into effect on Monday, and the board planned a Tuesday meeting to revisit the discussion after saying it would not allow games or practices in the city during Phase 2 operations.

The three-member board went into detail about the state’s guidelines regarding Phase 3, where sports were divided into three categories: lower risk, moderate risk and higher risk. Play within those three categories was broken down to four levels:

• Level 1: Individual or socially distanced group activities (no-contact workouts, aerobic conditioning, individual skill work, and drills)

• Level 2: Competitive Practices (Intra-team/group games, contact drills and scrimmages)

• Level 3: Competitions (Inter-team games, meets, matches, races, etc.)

• Level 4: Tournaments (Outdoor only)

The majority of leagues and organizations on Tuesday’s call were involved with moderate risk sports (i.e. baseball and softball). While those sports are now allowed to practice and play games, tournament play is still not allowed, as only the first three levels were approved by the state.

Sports in the lower risk category (tennis, swimming, golf, fishing, motor sports) are allowed to hold tournaments, with all four levels being approved. Only Level 1 action was approved for sports in the higher risk category (football, basketball, ice hockey, soccer), meaning games and full contact workouts are still not allowed.

The board said it would allow teams and leagues to proceed under the state’s guidelines, though cautioned that they must adhere to the strict safety protocols required.

“I’m very comfortable with the decision to move forward,” board member Jennifer Hoffman said. “We really want people to keep focused on the safety as we move forward though. We want to keep the community and the children in our community safe.”

Board of Health Chair Kelly Dixon reiterated the importance of following guidelines once teams begin playing games. The state provided four safety measure standards necessary: social distancing, hygiene protocols, staffing/operations and cleaning/disinfecting.

“The guidance is very clear and very specific,” she offered. “It’s really on each of you to do your best practice. If there’s a complaint, we will be notified. It’s on you all to make sure you’re doing your best to satisfy the requirements.”

Spectators for outdoor sports are asked to wear face coverings and maintain six feet of distance. The state guidelines also say that:

“No more than 25 players are allowed on any surface/playing areas for team/group sports, and no more than 100 people, including participants, players, coaches, volunteers, spectators in the aggregate in, on, or surrounding any surface/playing area or start/finish lines at any one time, provided that there is adequate space for all participants, players, coaches, volunteers and spectators to maintain at least six feet social distancing, recognizing that for some moderate risk sports intermittent contact may occur for players.”

Full guidelines from the state can be found online at mass.gov.