A few presents for the 2021 sports year
Some local prep, college events would be ideal
There’s some relief that comes after Christmas day.
No more stressing about shopping, wrapping presents or forced family functions. You can actually enjoy your Christmas gifts, and there are plenty of leftovers in the house after the big day.
It’s time to reflect on the new year as well. It has to be better than this one. Right? 2020 was the Tommy Wiseau of years so … yeah.
Well, as far as the pandemic, we’re not going to wake up early on Jan. 1 and have a blank slate. There will still be a number of serious issues that have to be resolved.
Maybe I am being optimistic but there is bound to be better times ahead. Sports took a back seat in 2020 and that will continue, but some of the events provided a welcome distraction. Mental health is important in these times.
I’m going to gaze into my crystal ball and do my best Nostradamus and Nate Silver impression for the purpose of this column:
LOCAL PREP AND COLLEGE
EVENTS » I see players. I see a ball of some kind. I see officials. And coaches.
Yes, we should have some ( but not all) local sports in the new year. The California Department of Public Health produced guidelines for youth and amateur sports to continue. None of the local high schools or colleges have played since March.
The good news? Sports like golf, tennis and swimming can be in the current purple tier. Others like baseball and softball can be played in the red tier.
The not so good news? Sports like football and soccer have to be in the orange tier (unless the CIF can convince the state otherwise). The other bad news is that even if the State of California OKs some of those activities, a county or school district could have another opinion.
Still, let’s focus on the positive. There appears to be a path for some sports to return. Hopefully, January and February will provide some better clues moving forward.