Fall sports in holding pattern
Despite loosening of restrictions, MIAA hasn’t made any calls
Youth sports programs and high school summer leagues went into Monday hopeful for a green light. As the day ended, however, many were left frustrated.
On Monday afternoon, Massachusetts’ Executive Office Of Energy And Environmental Affairs (EEA) released the latest guidelines for youth and adult amateur sport activities under Phase III, Step 1 of the commonwealth’s reopening. The document designated sports into low-risk, moderate-risk and high-risk. Based on a sport’s designation, it is then able to participate in a certain level of play.
These initial guidelines provide a potential sneak peek into how MIAA fall sports will have to operate, but they have no direct bearing on what fall sports will take place or whether they will at all. The document states, “This guidance will not govern fall K-12 and other young sports activities.” The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and EEA will jointly issue guidance on fall sports in the coming weeks.
Low-risk sports, such as golf, tennis and swimming were given the all-clear to play games and participate in tournaments. Moderaterisk sports, including baseball, softball, cross country, volleyball and field hockey, are allowed to compete against one another but cannot participate in tournaments. The highest-risk sports, however, most notably football, lacrosse and hockey, can only conduct socially distant workouts.
While the guidelines do not directly impact the MIAA and its member schools, many athletic directors and superintendents across the state are using them as a first step toward understanding what activities may be permitted when fall rolls around.
“This is a real positive first step,” MIAA Board of Directors President and Marshfield Superintendent Jeff Granatino said. “Just for some summer activity this has been something kids have been looking for. The fact is slow and steady wins the race. I would hope this would be a positive sign for us having sports in the fall.”
For some, the guidelines are a welcome go-ahead to begin summer activities. The Catholic Central League was able to go ahead with its senior-only baseball league, and many softball clubs got play underway on Monday evening.
There was plenty of reason for dismay, however, particularly for those in the basketball, hockey and lacrosse communities. Those sports, which feature a heavy dose of summer play through school-sanctioned leagues, AAU tournaments and other youth programs, are for now left waiting to simply be able to play games. Dave Geaslen, who sits on the youth sports portion of Massachusetts’ Outdoor Recreation Advisory Task Force and is the CEO of 3Step Sports, said the entire committee was stunned and frustrated by the announcement.
“We had full access to the EEA and they were tremendous, but the truth is they really did not have a say in this,” Geaslen said. “(Gov. Baker) relied solely on the head of the Department of Public Health Monica Bharel and the epidemiologists. They made this decision for the governor, and they don’t know anything about youth sports.”
Gov. Baker’s office could not be reached for comment.
Kevin Kavanagh, the Executive Director of Massachusetts Hockey, provided a statement that the group continues to work with the governor’s office to get games back on the ice as soon as possible.
“The group of leaders in the ice hockey community have been working behind the scenes with the various state agencies that are involved with the youth sports reopening process,” Kavanagh’s statement read. “Out of respect for the process, we are withholding comment at this time. We acknowledge and understand the complexity of the issues presented by COVID19 and its impact on our entire community. We are eager to continue the discussion about the options that exist to allow for modified hockey games to take place while ensuring a safe environment for our players and families”
The levels and each sport’s designation are expected to be re-evaluated in two weeks. Thom Holdgate, athletic director at Duxbury and co-chairman of the MIAA’s COVID-19 Task Force, believes that Monday was a step in the right direction. Holdgate and the rest of the task force have been watching other states closely across the country that have been more liberal when it comes to allowing amateur athletics over the summer. He and others believe that Massachusetts’ decision to act in a more deliberate manner could be a benefit in the long run as they see what has worked in other parts of the country.
“The fact is on Sunday no games could be played. On Monday, in some sports they could be played. That’s good news,” Holdgate said.
“We are in a situation where because we open later than everyone else, we can see in those states what does work. We’re still seven weeks away from school. There’s still plenty of reason for hope.”
The MIAA Board of Directors is set to meet July 21, which is likely to be after DESE and the EEA release their first statement on K-12 fall sports.