TunneySide of Sports

On the TunneySide of Sports July 27, 2020 #807 Up next… Let ’em play!

After further review… High school and college football seasons are being delayed until later in the fall or some delayed until the spring of 2021 – if then. Depending on the current Covid-19 Pandemic, what can we really expect? While we work through –and it does take work (effort!)– let’s not lose sight of our ability to solve whatever problems may come our way. It also takes a belief in one’s self and plans for better times ahead. Have faith, not fear!

For at least half of my life, the month of August was a time I looked forward to going back to school either as a student or teacher/coach/administrator. I was always happy to go to school, but sorry my summer vacation was ending. Today’s students want to go to school, if for no other reason than that’s where their friends are. In this 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic year kids have been sheltered-in-place at home with limited access to the outside world.

For the balance of 2020, schools will look much different: desks 6’ apart – mask on every face – no or limited physical contact. That’s not the school you and I attended. Instead of the 2020 school year starting in August or September, some are starting later depending on their current COVID-19 conditions. Some districts will stagger the week by having students in school two days and distance learning at home for three days. A variety of that process will be explored.

While much attention is given to academics through distance learning at home, not much attention has been thought about the physical well being of each young person. I have always believed in “Mens sana in corpore sano,” a Latin phrase translated to mean “a healthy mind in a healthy body.” This expresses the theory that physical exercise is an important or essential part of mental and psychological well-being.

How about this: while distance learning is taking place, open the school grounds e.g., football and baseball fields, track and field areas, outdoor basketball courts, swimming pools and the like so that our youth can run, play or swim on their own. Of course, a playground director or physical educator and/or lifeguard must be there to oversee the facility and equipment in use. No instruction is to take place, but social distancing and face masks must be enforced.

Will you agree that this method of allowing physical exercise is valuable?

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To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com.

Jim’s Bobblehead and books are available at Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3).

On the TunneySide of Sports July 20, 2020 #805 Up next… More to follow?

After further review… “After much discussion with my wife and doctors, and a decision I wrestled with, I have decided to opt-out of the 2020 Major League Baseball season”, said Buster Posey.

With the recent adoption of twin girls, Posey – three-time World Series champion and 2012 National League MVP of the San Francisco Giants – firmly took the well-being of his family first and foremost. Posey has been a mainstay for the Giants since he joined them in September 2009. His leadership behind the plate, as well as playing first base from time to time, has been paramount to the Giants success.

Posey’s decision came about the same time as the opt-out announcement from pitcher David Price of the Los Angeles Dodgers with whom the Giants are scheduled to open this shortened 2020 season in Chavez Ravine this week. Along with those two is Ryan Zimmerman, first baseman of the 2019 World Champions Washington Nationals, who was their first pick in 2005 when the team moved to Washington D.C.  Will there be more players to opt-out this season?

You can bet your sweet bippy! Further, what happens before, during, or at playoff time if a player is confirmed with COVID-19 and has to be hospitalized? Did he infect other T*E*A*M players? What will the MLB do if an entire team is infected and can’t play? How do they conduct playoffs, e.g., league and World Series without the opportunity for all teams?

While MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL progress toward playing – all without fans – and as protected that they think is possible, college fall athletics are opting to do it differently. For example, some NCAA schools are moving their fall sports to the spring. Others are canceling some of their fall sports altogether. The Pac-12 has canceled all non-conference football games and their schools will only play conference games. Some schools may only play 5-6 football games.

Will students be allowed in the stands? In most colleges, football games are the lifeblood of the student body. While schools have indicated that athletic scholarships will remain in place, how will they adjust four years of eligibility?

What will the inter-scholastic, i.e., high school, games look like? With no fall sports available many schools will lack the enthusiasm that fall sports bring to a student body. The CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) meets today to discuss and plan their sports’ future.

Will you log-in on whether schools should attempt to play or just cancel all 2020 fall sports?

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To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com.

Jim’s Bobblehead and books are available at Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3).

Contact Jim at P.O. Box 1440 Pebble Beach, CA. 93953.

See the above website for details.

Thank You!