Dark Winter ...

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Private prep schools have cancelled all winter sports here in Connecticut due to COVID-19. The CIAC, our state interscholastic sports governing body, expects to make decisions regarding public and Catholic school winter sports by November 17 or sooner. Much will depend on decisions/guidelines from our governor, Ned Lamont, and our State Department of Public Health.

I just bought a Windsor Three Tone Electronic Whistle and two Smitty Whistle Pockets (in case our local board or the CIAC doesn't allow electronic whistles). I'm on our training committee and trainings sessions start next week.

I'll keep the receipts for tax purposes.

[BillyMac]

The CIAC, our Connecticut state interscholastic sports governing body, is postponing the November 21st winter sports start date.

The CIAC Board of Control will consider a new start date for winter sports at its November 17th board meeting.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

The CIAC, our Connecticut state interscholastic sports governing body, is postponing the November 21st winter sports start date. The CIAC Board of Control will consider a new start date for winter sports at its November 17th board meeting.

While we still don't know if there will be a 2020-21 interscholastic winter sports season Connecticut, we do know that if there is a winter sports season both basketball players and ice hockey players will be playing while wearing cloth masks, or face shields.

Also no traveling outside Connecticut for ice hockey games, or basketball games, and no hosting teams from outside Connecticut.

Our State Department of Public Health is particularly concerned about ice hockey (we've already had some major problems with non-scholastic off season hockey). Apparently, due to the cold conditions in ice hockey rinks, a temperature inversion forms that keeps exhaled air droplets from dispersing and they stay in a layer of air near the ice surface.

There will be no interscholastic winter wrestling.

Girls volleyball was the only indoor fall sport in Connecticut. The girls played while wearing cloth masks.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I just bought a Windsor Three Tone Electronic Whistle ...

Black Fox 40 Electronic Whistles just became readily available (previously the only available color was red) so I bought one.

The Fox 40 Electronic Whistle uses a 9 volt battery and is definitely louder than the Windsor Electronic Whistle that uses 1.5 volt batteries.

Also bought an Under Armour High Performance Sports Facemask.

If we have interscholastic basketball here in Connecticut after January 19, 2021, I'm ready to go (if I believe that the protocols are sufficiently safe).

[BillyMac]

Our governor, Ned Lamont, and our State Department of Public Health have canceled all team sports (except for collegiate and professional) in Connecticut until January 19, 2020.

This includes interscholastic (including Christian schools, which were prepared to start December 1, 2020), recreation, travel, adult, AAU, etc., even team sports in school physical education classes, and pick-up-games, are prohibited.

Team Sports on Pause through 1/19/2021
Pause affects all sporting activities except for Collegiate and Professional.
Masks now required in Gyms and Fitness Centers, no exceptions.
“Team” is defined as a group of more than 4 people jointly engaged in an organized or recreational athletic activity on a court, field, etc.

What is prohibited during Team Sports on Pause:
Participation in High Risk Sports (other than conditioning/non-contact drills)
All Team scrimmages, competitions, camps, clinics and tournaments (including all interscholastic, “pick-up” games, and other informal athletic activities)
Participation in any out-of-state Team practices (including conditioning), competitions, camps, clinics and tournaments by CT residents
Participation in competitions, camps, clinics, tournaments in CT by out-of-state Teams
Teams are not able to break up into smaller groups to practice or compete (e.g. a 20 person team practicing or competing in groups of 4 or less at the same time and location is not allowed)

What is allowed during Team Sports on Pause:
Outdoor Recreation activities
Individual and small group training (4 people or fewer)
Individual and small group Moderate and Low Risk Sports (4 people or fewer)
Gyms (masks now required, no exceptions, minimum 6 foot spacing and other Sector Rule Safeguards)
Group Fitness Classes & Dance Studios, Yoga, Martial Arts Instruction, etc.
Reduced to 25% capacity (from 50%)
Masks now required, no exceptions
Subject to minimum 6 foot spacing and other Sector Rule Safeguards
School Gym Classes (No Team sports subject to Pause to be played)

Risk Categorizations with Associated Sports, National Federation of State High School Associations, Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, May 2020

Higher Risk
Sports that involve close, sustained contact between participants, lack of significant protective barriers, and high probability that respiratory particles will be transmitted between participants.
Wrestling, Martial Arts, 11-on-11 Football, Rugby, Boys Lacrosse, Boxing, Competitive Cheer, Competitive Dance Teams

Moderate Risk
Sports that involve close, sustained contact, but with protective equipment in place that may reduce the likelihood of respiratory particle transmission between participants OR intermittent close contact OR group sports OR sports that use equipment that can’t be cleaned between participants.
Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball, Softball, Swimming relays, Soccer, Water polo, Gymnastics, Ice hockey, Field hockey, 7-on-7 football, Girls lacrosse, Pole vault, High jump, Long jump
Rowing/Crew (with two or more rowers in shell), Tennis (doubles), Racquet sports (squash, pickleball, racquetball)

Lower Risk
Sports that can be done with social distancing or individually with no sharing of equipment or the ability to clean the equipment between use by competitors.
Individual running events, Throwing events (javelin, shot put, discus), Running/Cross Country (staggered starts), Individual swimming, Golf, Weightlifting, Alpine skiing/ snowboarding, Sideline cheer
Rowing/Crew (single sculling), Tennis (singles), Fencing

[Nevadaref]

Santa Clara County in California just shut down athletics at all levels, including professional. Even the SF 49ers are not allowed to practice or play within that county for the next three weeks.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Our governor, Ned Lamont, and our State Department of Public Health have canceled all team sports (except for collegiate and professional) in Connecticut until January 19, 2020.

He also cancelled all non-virtual road races.

[BillyMac]

https://www.courant.com/sports/hc-sp...cka-story.html

[Kansas Ref]

I have been wearing my black neck gaiter actually while I am reffing games this season. It's not as cumbersome as I thought it would be. No problems with blowing my whistle nor communicati g with the Table personnel. During between quarter break s I just do a quick wipe dry off my sweat. During FT administration I keep whistle tucked between my cheek and gaiter fabric. Yesterday one of the players said "hay ref you look like a ninja", it was amusing.

[Nevadaref]

Las Vegas has announced the cancelation of all HS Winter sports.
The decision was made by the Clark County School District administration on Tuesday morning. The plan from the state office was to begin the basketball season belatedly in early January, but that is now not going to happen for southern Nevada.
A decision for the northern part of the state should come on 12/8.