The Pandemic - your area

[tcannizzo]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

There's a certain sense to it: that the less time the competitors spend in proximity to each other, the better.

That one's ridiculous. Swimming and diving, the competitors don't even get close to each other, nor are they manipulating an object like a basketball. And even if they picked up something on their hands, swimming is continuously washing them.

I could see clearing out the audience, though. Still, the high humidity inside a pool room is not conducive to airborne virus transmission.

My guess is that you have never been at an NFHS swim meet.

While those who are actively swimming at any point in time, may not be in perilously close proximity, the pool deck is a completely different story.

Teams average about 50 athletes each.
A dual meet, 100 +/- athletes
A tri-meet, a quad meet, do the math.
Then there are Invitationals which involves 5 or more teams.

Those who are not currently swimming but are up "next", are lined up behind the starting blocks 4 or 5 deep. 8 to 10 lanes, do the math.

Those who are "not next" are bunched up on bleachers or team areas on the pool deck. Not a lot of available real estate.

Not to mention coaches and officials, you have a lot of humanity in shoulder-to-shoulder proximity. Then add the heat, humidity and bacterial opportunities, it is a very close and uncomfortable environment, even under the best of circumstances.

So, this makes more sense than probably any other sport.

[Tru_in_Blu]

NH has extended on line learning to May 4. NHIAA will need to adjust the revised start date for spring sports.

They plan on providing an update next week.

[CecilOne]

Maryland has closed schools until April 24.
Delaware has closed schools until May 15.

Both travel ball sanctions, USA and USSSA, in this area say they are hoping for summer tournaments.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Maryland has closed schools until April 24.
Delaware has closed schools until May 15.

Both travel ball sanctions, USA and USSSA, in this area say they are hoping for summer tournaments.

Maryland schools are now closed through May 15.
Delaware is trying to play spring sports from May 26 to June 20..
It seems unlikely that either sport will have games.

[Matt-MI]

Michigan schools are closed for the remainder of the school year which usually ends around the second week of the year. Stay at home order was extended to May 1st by the Governor.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Sinclair Community College (a state college in Dayton, Ohio), a NJCAA school and a member of the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference announced yesterday that it was suspending all intercollegiate athletics for the 2020-21 school year.

MTD, Sr.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

Sinclair Community College (a state college in Dayton, Ohio), a NJCAA school and a member of the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference announced yesterday that it was suspending all intercollegiate athletics for the 2020-21 school year.

MTD, Sr.

Sinclair Community College (a state college in Toledo, Ohio), a NJCAA school and a member of the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference announced today that it was suspending all intercollegiate athletics for the 2020-21 school year.

MTD, Sr.

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

Sinclair Community College (a state college in Toledo, Ohio), a NJCAA school and a member of the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference announced today that it was suspending all intercollegiate athletics for the 2020-21 school year.

MTD, Sr.

I suspect 20-21 is going to be a bad year to be an official. With several D1 programs cutting sports, I'm sure we will hear a lot more of that in the coming weeks. Several D2 and D3 and smaller schools have not only cut sports, but are closing completely.

I don't think the virus is totally to blame, but I think it is drastically increasing financial problems that have already existed.

[CecilOne]

Delaware and Maryland have cancelled spring sports, so neither will have softball this season.
The primary local adult league is still trying for late June, if State allows.
Both travel ball sanctions, USA and USSSA, in this area say they are hoping for summer tournaments.

I am skeptical about any being allowed and if they are, the safety of all.

[chapmaja]

I can't speak to the summer tournaments in Michigan, but as of now my primary summer league is looking at a July 1st start. I haven't heard anything from the summer fastpitch league I work yet, but my guess is they will be cancelled.

[Tru_in_Blu]

I've decided not to register with USA Softball this year. At 70 years old, I don't think risking my health to this pandemic is worth any game fee. Our NFHS season was a decision made for me, but I admit that I was nervous about it.

I'll be very surprised if tournaments will be held this summer. As a parent, I'm not sure I'd want my kids playing summer ball this year. I think some travel teams may find it difficult to fill out their rosters as a result. This in turn may affect any tournaments that might remain on the schedule.

I fully expect to see a virus rebound at some point considering how some states are trying to open up their economies. Can't blame them, but very risky.

Stay well, be safe,