Any chance of a spring sports season for area high schools hinges on what takes place over the next couple of weeks in the fight against COVID-19.
On Thursday, New York State governor Andrew Cuomo announced the extension of closures for the state’s schools and non-essential businesses from April 29 until May 15.
Earlier in the week, Dr. Robert Zayas, executive director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, said that schools had to open and students needed to be in classrooms before any sports could start.
“We need to be patient and focus on safety at this time,” said Zayas.
Still, Zayas said it was up to each of the 11 individual sections in the state to determine what kind of season could still be salvaged, even if it amounted to a handful of regular-season games and an altered format for the post-season.
Should schools open, teams would need six to 10 practice days to prepare for a season, and only have contests against local opponents. That could include doubleheaders for baseball and softball, along with revised slates for lacrosse, track and field, boys tennis and golf.
School closures went into effect during the third week of March, ultimately canceling NYSPHSAA’s remaining winter sports tournaments in boys and girls basketball, ice hockey and boys and girls bowling.
Zayas said a decision on whether to have state tournaments for any of the spring sports will be made by April 27.
