With much of the college softball season all but over due to concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19) and efforts to slow down its spread, it’s not surprising that many across the nation fear the high school spring sports seasons are not far behind.
There are gloomy signs rising everywhere, like an ominous thunderstorm on the horizon, that many states and local regions will soon announce that their spring sports seasons are over.
With softball in the spring being only a few months anyways, the best-case scenarios that have been hoped for are those that delay the season just a few weeks. One passionate coach in Florida has even created a social media movement to try to get administrators to not be hasty in cancelling the season too soon… more on that shortly.
Suddenly, it seems, 22 states have cancelled school for a period of time –-Washington is out until April 24–and, with school not in session, it’s hard to imagine that sports will be spared and allowed to be played when students aren’t on campus.
In some states action has continued—for example, Friday night Airline (Bossier City, Louisiana) beat Bentonville (Arkansas) 1-0 in a non-conference game—but that is quickly becoming the exception rather than the rule.
In some of the larger states, a spring sport season isn’t look too likely… here’s a closer look at three of the bigger high school sports states and where they stand right now (email us to let us know what’s going on with your school and/or state: info@extrainningsoftball.com)…
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CALIFORNIA
In the Golden State, some school districts have announced that their schools will be delayed indefinitely like the Los Angeles School District…
LAUSD cancels athletics until further notice. pic.twitter.com/qUeMUzuZ6V
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) March 13, 2020
… while others like the Stockon Unified School District had set a timetable for when it will be evaluated again:
Stockton Unified just sent out announcement to teachers that all schools closed & all activities cancelled until April 6. They are on spring break next wk so it will be two-week closure (at least now).
Spring sports this year seems more doomed every day.— Cal-Hi Sports (@CalHiSports) March 14, 2020
The Hart district (in Southern California) has suspended spring sports for nearly seven weeks, until April 30:
The Hart district suspended spring sports until at least 4/30, it's highly likely that the Vikes have played their final game of 2020(reg season ends 4/30).
We are at a loss for words right now and this amazing senior class unfortunately will not be able to finish it on the field— Viking Card Collector (@v1k1ngsbaseball) March 13, 2020
Several sources have told Extra Inning Softball privately that they have heard “everything in California will be cancelled this spring.”
The state’s governing athletic body, the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation), is reportedly meeting with the 10 sections to discuss options at some point this week.
It’s important to note, however, that nothing is official on a state-wide level, but news should be coming soon.
TEXAS
Texas, like California in its size and reach, is having a variety of situations developing on regional levels.
In Dallas, one top high school coach said today that all games are suspended until April 3.
“There’s nothing definitive,” the coach said, “we’re just taking it slow to see how things develop. As of right now, we are on our regular spring break and when we go back next week, we will be able to practice.”
Another Lone Star State source agreed saying that: “Texas high school spring sports aren’t cancelled yet, but are shut down until the end of March. New Mexico and Louisiana are similar.”
“Things won’t get better soon,” he warns, “We’re likely to lose seasons. It’s a nightmare on every front.”
On Friday, the UIL (University Interscholastic League)—the governing body of Texas high school public school athletics—released the following:
“To support the health and safety of our students and communities, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) is suspending all UIL sanctioned contests due to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Texas.”
“Effective March 16, all UIL interscholastic competition is suspended through March 29.
Rehearsals and practices may be held at the discretion of the local school district.”
All UIL Contests Suspended Due to COVID-19
PRESS RELEASE ➡️ https://t.co/0yJBpHk53h#UILState pic.twitter.com/et9nD7xdW3
— Texas UIL (@uiltexas) March 13, 2020
FLORIDA
In Florida, Christina Thompson, the head coach of one of the top softball programs in the nation, Oakleaf (Orange Park, Florida) High, currantly ranked #12 in the latest Extra Elite Eighty High School Rankings, has started a grass-roots movement to cut off what she sees as the pending loss of spring sports in her state.
She wrote us this weekend explaining: “Like the rest of the softball world, we are close to losing our season entirely… we have been suspended till March 31 and the prestigious Kissimmee Klassic (April 2-4, 2020) just folded.”
“I am doing everything I can to get both our softball and baseball communities buzzing and hopefully get our decisions makers to pause, and not just cancel entirely (like the NCAA ). Our kids don’t get an additionally eligibility year and for some softball life is over after high school.”
In an effort to appeal to the Florida High School Athletic Association, Coach Thompson has started a hashtag called #PressPauseSoWeCanPlay to try to stem the tide of growing spring season cancellations.
“I’ve tried to start a movement here and I’m hoping to get it out everywhere for those states who still have the chance to have a spring season,” she explains.
“We understand the need for prudence and safety,” Thompson said, “but we want the powers that be to simply pause while they gather all the information they can to suspend or extend the season or do whatever is necessary, but don’t cancel (right away).”
https://twitter.com/knights_ohs/status/1238560171380670465
Other high schools in the state jumped in quickly to support the mantra of “suspend, but don’t cancel yet.”
There is a HUGE difference between the words "postponed" and "cancelled".
We are in support of the temporary suspension of the season for obvious reasons, but PLEASE don't CANCEL a season until all other avenues have been exhausted. @FHSAA@osvarsity#PressPauseSoWeCanPlay https://t.co/tx629abyz8
— Hagerty Softball (@HuskySoftball) March 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/knights_ohs/status/1238560171380670465
Together, wsupport of our Clay County SB Teams and by request from our amazing student-athletes we ask for all options considered in completion of our season.
Understanding all safety measures to be taken,please take your time in reaching a decision. #PressPauseSoWeCanPlay
— Middleburg High School Softball (@bronco_sball) March 13, 2020
So why take to social media to try to get attention?
“I don’t want our decision makers to make a permanent decision too quickly,” adds Thompson. “I’m hoping if we can get our community to make enough noise, they will simply suspend… and allow our kids the opportunity to finish their 2020 season. It’s not just for softball… it’s all our spring sports.”
“My fear is if we don’t start this buzz now, it will be too late.”
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Email us at info@extrainningsoftball.com to let us know what your thoughts are and what’s the latest with your state, district or state.
