The odds seem long, but hope is still alive for baseball, softball, boys volleyball, and track and field competitors. The gravity of the global crisis is something unlike anything in a century. The epicenter of it is In New York, where authorities say the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic is seven to 30 days away.
While the nation takes a long break from all things normal, high school sports in three states are staying active — off the field. Iowa, Pennsylvania, and as of this week, Oregon, are in petition drives to save their spring sports season. In Hawaii, it would be a first to play the season into June or beyond.
Most graduations could be done by early June, but there is a possibility that a reworked, modified schedule would allow teams to participate in a state tournament into the summer.
The Hawaii High School Athletic Association is willing wait out this crisis.
“We have not cancelled yet to ensure that we exhaust any and all creative ideas to allow kids to play,” HHSAA Executive Director Christopher Chun said.
It all hinges, of course, on the status of planet earth. In Hawaii, the lockdown means schools have been out of session for the past few weeks, including spring break. The state is aiming at Apr. 30 as a return date, tentatively.
McKinley Athletic Director Bob Morikuni is hopeful and cautious.
"It would be awesome if somehow sports, school and all activities could happen, especially for the seniors. The key is we need to be sure it's all clear and safe to do," Morikuni said. "Everything is dependent on how fast the schools can open, and this goes back to social distancing. The faster it's all clear in Hawaii, the faster we get back to normal."
“I think if they are going to resume seasons, the HHSAA should also look into it, but also listen to the people and see what they think so everyone is on board,” Saint Louis senior pitcher/shortstop JT Navyac said. “So players and especially seniors around the state can compete in their last season.”
But it does get a bit tricky. Navyac and other student-athletes have summer plans — contingent on the status of the virus and lockdowns — that may take precedence. Navyac is already signed up to play for the Utah Marshalls, which will play in an Alaskan collegiate summer league. Then he will land at Cal State Fullerton to begin his collegiate career.
Chun is well aware of the possibilities. He has a son who is a varsity baseball player.
“Running a (state) tournament would be easy, but leagues would have to run their seasons in the summer. With kids preparing for college, that might be tough,” Chun said. “Also, many schools and kids play in summer leagues like American Legion and USA Softball.”
Softball has become a powerful tool for Hawaii athletes. College scholarships for softball players have been plentiful in the past decade. Missing nearly an entire season, then making it up, that's a challenge with major obstacles for some programs.
"I don't know. It's hard to get together and talk to them. Things are changing day by day," Campbell coach Shag Hermosura said. "My seniors will be gone by the summer. This is one year that I don't have a lot of players. Those four seniors, with them I have 15. Some of them travel and play in tournaments. The ones going to college, some of them will leave in late June or early July. The younger ones, they travel, too."
One athletic director, Stephen Perry of Hawaii Prep, suggested a resumption of spring sports if possible, but with a cutoff date of June 15.
“That’s different. That’s extending our season until then, not running it into the summer,” Chun said. “But for the HHSAA, it works. I just have to get the leagues to be willing to do so. It’s hard because after graduation, kids do their own thing.”
Ah, yes. Independence. With or without graduation ceremonies, there’s almost nothing that confirms freedom like a high school diploma. But it’s possible to keep playing. In Arizona, there has been at least one baseball state tournament that was played after graduation ceremonies.
“We are not forbidden to play after graduation,” Chun added. “It’s just that schools seem to want to be finished before then.”
If, if, if schools and sports were to resume on Apr. 30, there would be a need for a cushion, come re-entry time.
“We can be ready to play games within a week if our pitchers have been taking responsibility to maintain their volume and intensity at home,” said Kennan Sue, coach of defending champion Punahou. “Realistically, everyone will probably need a small ramp-up time, and arm health is a priority.”
Sue suggests a temporary, lower pitch count.
“Ideally, coaches would prioritize their players’ health. That would likely mean that most games should be pitched by committee. Not everyone will have that luxury and not all pitchers are created equal, but it would be really interesting to see how staffs handle those decisions.”
A quick revision of the season's resumption and completion — aiming for a mid or late May state tournament schedule, isn't ideal. It may be the only scenario available, though.
“We can be ready to play games within a week if our pitchers have been taking responsibility to maintain their volume and intensity at home,” said Kennan Sue, coach of defending champion Punahou. “Realistically, everyone will probably need a small ramp-up time, and arm health is a priority.”
Sue suggests a temporary, lower pitch count.
“Ideally, coaches would prioritize their players’ health. That would likely mean that most games should be pitched by committee. Not everyone will have that luxury and not all pitchers are created equal, but it would be really interesting to see how staffs handle those decisions.”
A quick revision of the season's resumption and completion — aiming for a mid or late May state tournament schedule, isn't ideal. It may be the only scenario available, though.
"That would be kind of unfair to the athlete," Hermosura said. "I know the athletes would love it, but we have to consider the safety factor. I don't know if everyone's staying in shape. We're communicating and I hope everyone's doing the right thing."
Sue is willing to be as flexible as necessary.
“We’ll do whatever we can as coaches to salvage this season for our boys,” he said. “If we’ve succeeded as coaches and educators and parents, our kids have the opportunity to turn this very real adversity into the very thing that propels them to achieving greatness in their lives.”
McKinley has the premier softball facility in the OIA. The grass remains lush and green.
"It would nice, ideally," Morikuni said, "if the kids could have a little something."
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