Hope Springs Eternal for a Season

Wednesday would have been opening day of the spring season for high school baseball, softball and other sports.

That season remains very much in limbo and with each passing day that school facilities remain closed and non-essential travel is banned it appears more and more likely there will be no season.

That’s a blow for all athletes but especially seniors who in some cases hoped to build a better college resume while many were just looking forward to one more season of playing a sport or game they truly love.

Freehold Borough senior baseball player Sean Wodell has started an online petition asking that the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association allow high school baseball games to be played through the summer.  Wodell makes a passionate appeal in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that seniors are losing the most memorable parts of their final year in high school.

A big part of that is those who are being denied a last chance to represent their town and school by playing in some cases with teammates they’ve grown up with. He goes on to say that if football players can practice in the summer, weeks before the season is to begin, why can’t baseball do the same.

As it stands now the spring sports season would end in early June and there are certainly no provisions to allow for games to be played after graduation.  The NJSIAA did issue a statement last week that if and when a return-to-school date is issued by Gov. Murphy they will discuss options with various leagues and conferences in regards to a spring schedule.

Wodell’s petition at change.org has attracted interest from not just the baseball community but others as well.  When I signed in this morning I was number 10,537 and the goal is 15,000.

In full disclosure I doubt very much the spring sports season is extended into summer because I don’t believe schools are going to re-open. In other words I don’t think there will be any season anywhere.  However the enthusiasm and energy of one high school senior deserves support so Sean you have mine.  Regardless of the outcome kudos to you for stepping up.

If you’re interested in signing the petition click on the petition at change.org.

Stay healthy my friends!