On the TunneySide of Sports May 25, 2020 #797 Up next… If It Happens!
After further review… COVID-19 has affected all of us! I heard a housewife say: “Yes, I did marry him for better or worse, but not for lunch!” It is not bad being a shut-in if only we had sports to watch, a friend recently said. Well, if it happens or should we say when it happens or maybe even now that it is happening – the country wants to return to normal! It is hoped we will use reasonable judgment – social distancing as an example – as we gather.
Since all 50 states are allowing some sort of return to normalcy, many are getting anxious to get going. The NBA curtailed its season in March but hopes to schedule playoffs. If social distancing is in place, how do you guard the post (AKA center) play? Must the defender stand 6 feet behind the offensive post player? Stands will be without fans or maybe a limited number? Just asking.
MLB wants to get its 2020 season going. Do they move the catcher 6 feet behind the home plate? Or do they move the batter up 6 feet making the distance from the pitcher to the batter 54’ 6” instead of the traditional 60’ 6”? Can baseball be the same without fans present? Just asking.
Thoroughbred racing is already in operation without fans in Florida and a few other tracks. But how about the Kentucky Derby traditionally held the first week of May? That was postponed until September 6, 2020, possibly with fans at Churchill Downs. While it was always the first race in the Triple Crown of racing, the Belmont will now start the Triple Crown with the Derby to follow and The Preakness to wrap it up. Will horses continue to race counterclockwise? Just asking.
Then, of course, football fans anxiously await the 2020 season both in the college game as well as the NFL. It seems prudent that ample time be given to practices to curtail player injuries. It is almost impossible to eliminate physical contact in the game of football. Players can and will get in adequate physical shape but contact needs to occur to properly prepare them for the game of football. Just asking!
How do you get a T*E*A*M ready and practice social distancing? Do the right guard and right tackle need to be 6 feet apart? If so, that certainly changes the blocking scheme on running plays. The quarterback in shotgun formation will certainly abide by the 6 feet rule! Will hands under the center will be allowed? And, of course, no fans in the seats but you can count on them gathering outside the stadium. Cheerleaders will perform on the sidelines with social distancing but without pyramids! Just asking!
Will you log-in your thoughts about returning to normalcy “if it happens”?
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