HAVERHILL, Mass. — Some youth sports can begin again Monday according to the new Phase 3 guidelines in Massachusetts, but it all depends on how much physical contact the sport has.
Matthew Morin coaches youth basketball in Haverhill, and he’s also an umpire for youth baseball in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
He says it’s exciting to see some sports, like baseball, finally back in action this week.
“They’re using their own bats, they’re using their own helmets, the umpires are being allowed to umpire from behind the mound,” said Morin. “So there’s a lot of precautions that are taking place.”
Social distancing and practicing good hygiene are easier with lower contact sports like baseball, but Morin says it’s frustrating not knowing when higher contact sports like basketball and football will return.
“They’ve talked about maybe switching sports around and maybe putting baseball in the fall, and then football in the spring,” said Morin.
Under Phase 3, sports are broken up into categories, depending on their risk for transmitting COVID-19.
Lower risk sports with little contact include tennis, golf, and swimming, while moderate risk sports include sports like baseball, volleyball and track. Those sports can return this week and even play games or matches.
But right now, athletes in higher-risk sports, like football, basketball and soccer can only begin to work out and not play in games just yet.
“To just be in limbo and not know what’s going on is not fair to the kids,” said Morin. “There needs to be a plan.”
Morin says he wishes there was more of a heads up on whether all sports will fully return this summer or fall to allow programs and schools to prepare.
Plus, he says the isolation is starting to weigh on the children.
“Kids need to be outside, they need to be outside playing sports, and need to be interacting with their friends,” said Morin. “It helps their mental health, their physical health and overall well-being.”
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