Theres no denying the last four months of isolating the population to slow down the pandemic has had mixed results. The spread of the virus has definitely been declining insome states, but now state and local governments must figure out a way for a safe return to what we have taken for granted throughout all of our lives.
Reopening of the schools has to head up that list, because the kids, in particular, need that interaction. This has become no more apparent than their reaction to finally being sprung back onto the baseball and softball diamonds the last few weeks in most communities. From the earliest levels to teenagers, they couldnt wait to swing that bat or throw that ball, and their enthusiasm was palpable. Playing the game they love, while abiding by the safety regulations put in place to protect against the virus has had a positive impact on the participants. It can be done with the proper protocols even in the classrooms and most local youth leagues were able to work through these guidelines for the sake of their kids.
The Beverly Little League tried to reopen for a summer season, but erring on the side of caution it thought it was best for the safety of everybody involved to just cancel the 2020 season altogether. The reaction of that decision among the parents was predictable.
In last weeks Herald Citizen and on Wicked Local Beverly, Beverly Little League President Scott McKenzie explained what went into the decision to cancel the season, and how he and the rest of the board of directors anguished over it. There were numerous reactions to the story on the Beverly Citizen Facebook page, but this one from a concerned parent basically summed up the importance of sports in a youngsters development.
"We are fortunate that all three of our kids have been able to get back to sports (lax & field hockey) over the past couple of weeks. Seeing first-hand the positive impact it has had coming out of three months of quarantine is truly amazing. Kids need this NOW more so than any other summer! This is a giant miss by BLL [Beverly Little League], no excuse considering the precedent is already been set with other towns/ sports going back online. I was looking forward to one last summer at Harry Ball."
The Beverly parent mentioned that playing this summer has had a "positive impact" on three of his children. He noted kids need that more than ever now after spending time in quarantine, as everybody was told to do to flatten that mythical curve. There was not the usual interaction among teammates in the spring thats necessary for their development, but there was probably a whole lot of playing video games to pass the time of day.
Among the area Little Leagues that have resumed operations include: Danvers, Gloucester, Hamilton-Wenham, Melrose, Medford, Marblehead, Peabody Little League, Peabody West Little League, Swampscott, Salem, Georgetown and Somerville.
Nick Fisher, a coach and board member in the Medford Youth Softball League, knows the hard work by adults to implement the safety protocols has been worthwhile for the kids.
"It's been great," Fisher said. "As someone who has coached sports for a while, the requirements have forced me to be more intentional on how I plan and execute a practice. Like many of the Board members, I was pretty concerned about the requirements in place going into our first practice, but seeing how much joy it brought the girls to be outside and around their friends and classmates has made the extra work totally worth it."
Medford softballs president Danielle DiRusso agrees.
"Everyone involved was great with complying with guidelines," she said. "Games have definitely been a little challenging figuring out logistics of extended dugouts and getting information out to parents and coaches. But I think we are ready, and the girls are definitely ready to play."
Matt Callahan, head coach of the new U-17 Saugus Iron Legion Essex County Baseball League team, had a difficult time understanding why kids couldnt play against each other before Gov. Charlie Bakers Phase 3 reopening went into effect to allow competitive games. They were allowed to practice in June, but games at that time were banned.
"Were just going to keep practicing until we can play games. Its hard to understand what is allowed in our society, and what isnt. You would think this would be more of a priority, but its not," Callahan said after a practice in June.
But on July 6, baseball and softball games on all levels became a reality, which pleases many.
The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association [MIAA] has begun this week debating the merits of having a fall sports season, but if they look at the success of area Little Leagues, softball programs, and teen and adult leagues its clear it can be done with the new normal health and safety guidelines. It just takes a little extra work on the adults part to make sure kids dont lose out on another scholastic athletic season like what happened to them in the spring.
Joe McConnell is the Senior Multimedia Sport Journalist for Gannett New Englands North Unit, and he may be reached at jmcconnell@wickedlocal.com.
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