We’re at an unprecedented crossroads in global history that hasn’t been seen in quite some time now. A pandemic in the COVID-19 virus has ravaged worldwide and sports obviously have to be put on the back burner for the time being.
For people who fill their daily lives with sports news constantly, the real question becomes what becomes of what was a daily everyday activity? Social distancing is what’s being preached during these difficult times and it’s the right call to keep others from harm’s way.
With sports being an activity that can attract hundreds to a single event on the high school level, high school sports throughout the country comes to a complete halt. Reasonable questions pop up of will spring sports get the chance to close out their seasons? Baseball, softball, track and field, weightlifting was going on when we last left off but that now seems in danger of not finishing this 2019-2020 campaign.
Heck, the likelihood of students going back to classes seems high in doubt because of the coronavirus going on, nonetheless sports taking center stage once again. Now a better question might be will the virus be contained in time for the 2020-2021 school year to start on time? Prep football that usually steals the spotlight in the summer and fall months looks to possibly take a hit here.
Spring football is also very unlikely to happen, as the coronavirus has limited exactly how many people can be at events. Would spring games take place with only the teams and coaching staff in place? How would practicing occur with schools being closed down currently?
There’s little to believe that the suspension of gatherings beyond 50 people or more will be lifted anytime soon and that’s why watching any sporting event other than past games via YouTube, Hudl or a different online availability will become more of the norm for quite some time.
All five of Hernando County’s high schools have their spring break going on and what should’ve been a fun week for students and student-athletes has turned more into uncertainty on when they may return to school and their respective teams.
The annual Leopard Slam softball tournament and the Farm Bureau Classic both were canceled with no makeup dates set. It’s most likely neither event will take place this year.
Former Central running back DuJuan Harris saw his return to professional sports cut short, as his stint with the Los Angeles Wildcats ended with the XFL ending their inaugural campaign halfway through.
This all leads back to the opening question of what will those do now during this tough time? Endure. That’s all everyone can do at this very moment. In a world looking for answers against an unbeatable foe, the best option right now is to literally sit back and wait for the COVID-19 virus to be contained. When a return to sports may happen is a question to be answered another day.
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.
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