Monday Mailbag: April 20, 2020

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

This week’s Monday Mailbag includes questions about athletic scholarships, summer shootouts and team camps, OHSAA’s handling of cancellations and postponements and Legion baseball.

Q: With spring sports certain to be canceled, how will this affect kids who are or were in line for an athletic scholarship? I have to think it will have some effect. Name withheld upon request

A: Any senior student-athlete in line to receive an athletic scholarship most likely has been offered one by now and in most cases has accepted or declined the offer.

I have a hard time believing that any college program was waiting for a student-athlete’s spring senior season to present a scholarship offer. Is it possible? I suppose so, but not very probable.

As far as juniors or sophomores in line for potential scholarship offers, could this delay the process a bit? Yes, but I think the eventual outcome will be the same. Plus, you have to remember that an offer made and/or accepted before a student-athlete’s senior season isn’t binding and isn’t official until a letter of intent has been signed.

So to answer your question, no, I don’t think it will have a true effect on anyone involved in the process.

Q: Will things be “normal” for June for team caps, shootouts, etc? Nwobball.com.

A: It’s hard to say for certain but at this very moment, I’ll say no, things won’t be normal.

I’d like to think by June we’ll be on the way to normal or a “new normal” as people say. Perhaps at some point in June or July at least some camps and other activities will take place, but it’s tough to predict right now.

Q: What are your thoughts on how this whole process has been handled? I’m talking about the cancellation of winter sports tournaments and now, spring sports, which are going to be canceled? Name withheld upon request

A: I think it’s a tough situation for anyone and everyone involved, from student-athletes and coaches to Ohio High High School Athletic Association Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass.

I wish the timing had been different for postponing winter sports tournaments. As I’ve said before, it was far from ideal to pull the plug 15 minutes before the girls state tournament tipped off, but I’m sure the decision makers did what they thought was best at the time.

Of course, the postponement eventually turned into an outright cancellation, which, given the circumstances was expected. Unpopular in many circles, but expected.

As far as spring sports, the writing has been on the wall for a while now, but I have no problem with Snodgrass waiting to make absolute certain school buildings would remain closed before canceling spring sports.

Again, it won’t be a popular decision regardless if it’s today or next week, but it’s probably the correct one, given the situation.

Q: I noticed that Legion Baseball will go on as planned this summer. How is that going to work? Name withheld upon request

A: That’s a good question and I’m not sure there are too many concrete answers out there.

It’s going to depend on how things are going, what rules or guidelines are in place, etc. There’s nothing wrong with at least preparing for the upcoming season and hoping for the best.

It appears a Legion state tournament will be held if possible this summer, but there will not be American Legion Baseball regional tournaments or a Legion World Series. Those events have been canceled because of the uncertain timeline involving COVID-19.

If you have a question for the next Monday Mailbag, simply email it to sports@thevwindependent.com.