For summer softball to return, there are still hurdles to clear
If it wasn’t so depressing be in this position in the first place, what’s going on in the girls summer softball scene right now can best be described as a dysfunctional comical mess.
It’s a mess because there’s all kinds of rumors and speculation out there, much of which is wishful thinking at best.
It’s a mess because some places have decreed softball games can be played, but only with a bizarre set of regulations that fall into the category of believe it or not.
And it’s a mess because some teams have apparently jumped the gun with unauthorized practicing and now appear headed for at least the proverbial slap on the wrist.
Although there’s no need to get into specifics, it can be reported there were at least three local teams that were spotted having a full practice earlier in the week with all kinds of parents on hand and no social distancing taking place.
According to reports, somebody apparently blew the whistle on a couple of those teams and they have been told by local officials in no uncertain terms to knock it off.
As it stands right now, no tournaments are scheduled in New Jersey for the month of June. This, of course, could change, but it really comes down to whether local officials to decide to open their facilities or not.
One of the most popular sites for local tourneys and showcases is the six-field complex at Ewing’s Armstrong Park. At last check, Ewing has announced it is not opening the park until at least July 1.
“We’re hoping to have tournaments in July, but first we really need to get in some practice in June,” said Dave Wheeler of the New Jersey Nightmare organization. “These girls have been off since October. They haven’t seen live pitching in months. There’s no way they are in shape and ready to play competitive softball.”
Another reason to not have softball in June is the fact the NCAA has decreed it as a dead period and coaches are not allowed to recruit during the month. As such, why have a showcase with no college coaches to watch. Making matters worse, the NCAA on Wednesday extended the dead period for recruiting through July as well.
This is just an absolute disaster for high school players who will be entering their senior and junior years this fall because scholarships were already going to be limited after the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility for the spring sports.
It also makes you wonder why some New Jersey teams are still apparently hoping to go to tournaments in places like Georgia and Florida later in June. In addition to no college coaches on hand, these teams are going to get hammered by teams from states that have already begun play.
As for the rumors out there, one of the best concerns talk about an eightteam tournament in early June involving a couple of Lower Bucks high school teams.
The way this would work is the teams would not be able to use their high school names, uniforms or coaches. They would, however, be allowed to put together a squad consisting of players who were on their high school rosters back in March before the season was canceled.
Suffice it to say, don’t hold your breath waiting for this event to happen.
Another concerns the talk New England tournaments won’t allow teams from New Jersey and New York. This is completely unofficial, but apparently the thinking is to ban girls from two of the biggest hotspots, even if they are no longer hot.
Whatever, the bottom line is parks will begin to gradually open up in New Jersey and softball will probably be allowed, assuming the government lifts the ban on youth contact sports. And when it does, you have to wonder if it will even be worth it considering all the rules and regulations that are bound to be imposed.
Consider just some of the following rules that have been placed on softball in one state:
» No player can join a team from another county. » No playing outside your home town or county.
» Divide team in half and scrimmage instead of playing another team.
» All balls must be disinfected after each game.
» Designate a staff person to answer all Covid-19 concerns.
» Record the name, address and phone number of every player, coach and official along with the date and the time each game started and ended for the health department review.
» Put tape on the field to keep players and coaches six feet apart.
Where you can find tape that sticks to dirt and what is supposed to happen on a tag play is beyond us. And just how the batter, catcher and umpire will all be six feet apart will require another real trick.
Similarly, why you would have to ban play in another county when you are only allowed to play in your home town also doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
While the intentions are good, in the long and sad history of dumb ideas some of these are real beauties.