Game on!
Yes, there are restrictions. Yes, there are conditions. Not every fan that wants to see a game will have that opportunity.
But the bottom line is, Governor Mike DeWine gave the go-ahead for fall sports—all fall sports—to commence in Ohio.
That means all the work done by the OHSAA in coming up with a modified football season and the subsequent scrambling by coaches to update their schedules was not done in vain.
“Our order will prove that all sports may go forward this fall with contact and non-contact sports,” DeWine said. We’ve also heard the desire for some to switch these contact sports to the spring. Some have already canceled their seasons. This is allowed as well.”
DeWine said in talking with the OHSAA, the organization has given schools the go-ahead that wish to move contact sports to spring to do so.
“We can’t predict if things will be better it comes time to play these sports in the spring. But this order simply allows sports to move forward,” DeWine said. “Those that have already made the decision to not play in the fall, we don’t want to exclude those children so this will give them hope for a season.”
The onus is actually being placed not only on the individual athlete’s parents, but also their school system.
Parents can decide their child or children will opt out. School districts can opt-out entirely for push sports back to the fall. DeWine and the OHSAA are not mandating any decision in that regard. That decision, and results of that decision, was pushed won the line to the schools and the students’ families.
There Are Some Restrictions
DeWine took a moment to talk about fans.
He reiterated his position that the most important factor in this decision is that the kids are able to play the sports they love. He also stressed the importance of their families being able to support them.
“Everyone I’ve talked to, they’ve said the focus has to be on where it should be, on the young people,” DeWine said. “Letting them play. But also, it’s important that young person have someone there, if possible, to support them.”
“So, when our order comes out, what you will see is we will not have spectators, other than family members and people very close to that particular child.”
DeWine didn’t go into great detail about the specifics of that portion of the order.
But he did note that schools will need to have a compliance person who ensures that the order is being followed.
Later, when discussing accountability, DeWine talked about steps the OHSAA will implement to ensure rules are being followed.
“Everyone involved must be held accountable, from the health departments, to the OHSAA,” DeWine said. “There will be site inspectors at contests to make sure the rules are being followed.
“Failure to comply may result in forfeits of athletic contests, disqualification, accountability and things of that nature.
“How we’re taking this seriously is super important.”
When asked about requirements for athletes to be tested, DeWine didn’t outright say no. But his explanation made it seem like the state knows the financial feasibility of testing all athletes before games similar to the NCAA guidelines is not an option.
He said they assumed there would be a limited amount of testing being conducted aside from when a positive test is recorded.
Comparing to Pro Sports
A reporter asked DeWine why the state is giving the order to play ball when professional sports leagues, Major League Baseball in particular, have seen cancelations and postponements because of COVID outbreaks among players.
“Certainly, it gives us all pause,” DeWine said. “I never said this will be easy, but we have provided opportunities.
“First, it starts with the family. The family could say we are not playing. The school can say it.
“But when you look at this from a holistic point of view, you take into account what’s best for that individual child, individual athlete.”
DeWine also commented on the importance of coaches in the players’ lives. He also reminded of the added emphasis this season to help the players to understand and follow guidelines to give them every opportunity to get in a full season.
He’s also placing a lot of responsibility on the athletes themselves. Players will need to make the right decisions and follow guidelines to help make sure COVID doesn’t find its way onto the team and run rampant.
This isn’t like playing through a sprained ankle and gutting it out. Should a player come down with COVID-like symptoms, not telling anyone and trying to hide it could cost the team, at best, a few games, or a season, depending on the severity of an outbreak.
“The driving force to inspire our young men and women,” DeWine said. “We want to inspire them to make the right decisions that will give them the opportunity to have the best chance they can to play their sport.
“We’re empowering the young people, the parents, the schools. Take all the evidence you have and make the best judgment call for that child. It’s a tough call. There’s not necessarily a right or wrong decision.”
Stay tuned to LedeNews.com in the coming days for a more detailed breakdown of the orders, as well as local reaction to them.
