Some sports OK’d for training

‘Low/no-contact’ sports can resume offseason workouts beginning May 26

A group of six high school sports may begin workouts and have coaching contact beginning May 26.

However, none of those activities are permitted to take place on school grounds or at schoolowned venues.

That was the gist of a memo sent from the Ohio High School

Athletic Association to its member schools on Friday evening (May 15) in an email.

“Since Governor DeWine announced yesterday (May 14) in his ‘Responsible Restart Ohio’ plan that certain sports will be permitted to begin on May 26, it becomes necessary to provide school coaches the opportunities,” said OHSAA executive director Jerry Snodgrass in the memo, forwarded to The News-Herald from an area school. “Effective May 26, the OHSAA’s No-Contact Period will be lifted for the following sports: Baseball, golf, softball, swimming/diving, tennis and track & field.”

The aforementioned six sports are deemed “low/no-contact” sports. All sports have been halted since mid-March because of the novel coronavirus.

Sports such as football, basketball, wrestling, etc., have not yet been addressed. However, in a May 18 news conference, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said he has been in contact with Snodgrass and that “we are going to begin to coordinate with them on protocols on training for school sanctioned sports.”

As of now, it’s baseball, golf, softball, swimming/diving, tennis and track and field that will be permitted for workouts starting May 26.

“Under the current decision, all other sports have not been identified as being able to start,” the OHSAA wrote in its memo to member schools. “Please tell your other sport coaches to remain patient as we will make updates as soon as the Governor’s office provides more information on what sports will be permitted, and every intent is to align with the Governor’s orders.”

“It’s up to them to determine where that will happen, because the Ohio Department of Education has closed school facilities until June 30.” — OHSAA spokesperson Tim Stried, on coaches and offseason training

The memo from the OHSAA, written by Snodgrass, has caused a measure of confusion among area schools and coaches. While the aforementioned six sports will have their no-contact period lifted, schools and their facilities remain closed through June 30 as per Gov. Mike DeWine’s previous mandate.

So any workouts for baseball, golf, softball, swimming/diving, tennis and track and field will have to take place someplace besides the school’s facilities.

OHSAA spokesperson Tim Stried confirmed as such on May 18.

“It’s our understanding that school facilities are closed,” he said. “The Ohio Department of Health made that call and clarified it by adding ‘stadiums’ to the closure list. It’s pretty clear all school facilities — indoor and outdoor — remain closed.

“On May 26, our school’s coaches in those specified sports can coach their student-athletes. It’s up to them to determine where that will happen, because the Ohio Department of Education has closed school facilities until June 30.”

DeWine, via recommendation from the Ohio Dept. of Health, announced last week that summer leagues baseball and softball leagues are permitted to begin play on May 26, as long as certain guidelines are met to continue to combating of the spread of novel coronavirus.

The OHSAA’s announcement falls in line with that.

But it still is causing some confusion and consternation.

“My disappointment is the youth sports committee that the governor formed did not include anyone from the OHSAA,” said Mentor athletic director

Jeff Cassella, who is also a member of the OHSAA’s Northeast District board. “That’s a little disheartening. I think we’ve been a pretty active proponent of youth sports in Ohio, and to not have any representation on that committee was disheartening.”

“All of us ADs are a little frustrated. We understand and want to make sure we do the right things, because we obviously don’t want this virus to spread. But if Johnny’s Dad is able to coach his kid’s summer team, we have professional coaches in our schools, and they should get the similar opportunity.”

If DeWine further lifts restrictions on schools when the current shutdown period expires on June 30, the OHSAA has announced that the restrictions for summer contact periods/workouts have been lifted for this summer only. Members of a school team’s coaching staff in the team sports of baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball may coach students from their school teams from June 1 through Aug. 31, 2020, without restriction, except that participation cannot be mandatory.

Therefore, if the current school shutdown plan is lifted starting July 1, those sporting teams may have unlimited contact through Aug. 31.

The only stipulation for football is only non-contact drills would be allowed.

“You usually have a 10day coaching opportunity,” Stried said. “We’ve removed that limitation. For this summer only, we’re removing that regulation.”

However, this stipulation only goes into effect if schools re-open at the end of June.

“If the governor and Ohio Department of Education say schools remain closed, that trumps our regulation,” Stried said.