Opinion: Pandemic Hits Sports
The corona virus floating around has been determined to be a world pandemic. This has turned into a disaster for the sports world. Part of the slowing down process for this virus includes the reduction of events with large crowds in close proximity. Most sports provides this situation. In the beginning the sports world had the idea they would just play the games without an audience. This solution was quickly dropped as the virus began to spread to the athletes themselves.
The NCAA, the organization that rules the collegiate athletics made the decision to pull the plug on all sports activities for the remainder of the school year. This way they would not have to make a second decision later in the season. This meant the end of the basketball season minus the usual playoffs and March Madness. It also ended all the spring sports that were just getting their seasons started.
The professional sports had a mixed result. The football league now underway stopped their season altogether. The NBA has cancelled the rest of their season hoping to resume with the playoffs at a later date. Major league baseball has decided to stop spring league play and part of the regular season until a permanent decision can be made. They are hoping for an abbreviated season at the least. Other sports are making similar decisions.
The UIL, which governs high school sports, has decided to take a wait and see approach on all their sports. They issued a stop order on all sports for two weeks (March 16-30). By that time they will be more prepared to make a permanent decision for the rest of the school year. The boys basketball state tournament was stopped after just four games were played and there is hope it can be finished. There is hope the spring sports, that are midway through their seasons, can make some adjustments to the scheduling and complete their seasons as well. Probably big ifs with time running out on the school year. Even though it may feel like it at the time, it will not be the end of the world if the rest of the seasons are cancelled. Your health should always win out over money and getting to play.