Random Thoughts: 2020 spring sports

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

This week’s Random Thoughts center completely around the COVID-19 induced cancellation of OHSAA spring sports.

Schools

Governor Mike DeWine made it official during Monday’s press briefing – school buildings throughout Ohio will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year.

The announcement was expected, especially given the fact that President Donald Trump said on Thursday that all schools that are closed should remain closed.

The decision means spring sports have been canceled. Ohio High School Athletic Association Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass is expected to issue an official statement sometime today.

Tough, but correct

You may or may not agree with the decision to close schools and cancel spring sports. Either way, it wasn’t an easy decision.

Given the circumstances, as painful as it is, it was probably the right decision. I know not everyone will agree with that and that’s fine.

Jerry Snodgrass

I’ve said it before and I’ll said it again – I wouldn’t want to be in this guy’s shoes right now.

Snodgrass has been forced to make some tough and unpopular decisions over the past five weeks and he’s taken a lot of heat. I myself have questioned the timing of some of his decisions.

There’s no way he or anyone else could have envisioned a scenario like this when he took over in 2018. No doubt it’s been gut wrenching and emotional for him, perhaps more so for him than anyone else.
Seniors, student-athletes

Obviously, the decision is disappointing for student-athletes and especially seniors. It’s a year of competition that has been taken away from them and quite honestly, it’s not fair.

I know some people have said this can be a teaching moment about life and while that may be true, it still doesn’t make it any less painful.

In the coming days, we’ll begin featuring senior spring sports athletes in a special way. It’s the least we can do for them.

Fall sports

Let’s just hope fall sports aren’t affected by COVID-19.

However, as a precaution, schools and OHSAA are taking steps to plan ahead, just in case. Hopefully, those plans won’t be necessary.

Summer

Right now, it’s hard to say exactly what this virus will do to summer activities, but it’s probably safe to say it will affect them to some degree.

That includes volleyball, basketball and football passing camps and more.

Ohio Legion baseball officials are planning to play this summer, but it remains to be seen when the season will start.

ACME baseball officials are also planning on playing during the summer months, but the timeline is up in the air.

Here’s hoping we can get back to some sense of normalcy.

If you have thoughts on any of the above topics, feel free to email me at sports@thevwindependent.com.