Spring sports are finally here! Or are they? Most spring sports teams have been unable to practice how they normally would. Games have been pushed back simply because of the horrific weather we inherited in March.
Sports such as lacrosse, baseball, softball, and others need a place to practice outside, but the fields have not been available like they have been in previous years. There was snow on the ground early this week, which means practice is virtually impossible. Teams still went out in the cold and soaked fields but it was apparent that they were not getting the amount of training that they need to be well prepared for the season.
For example, baseball has had to succumb to practicing at inside places such as RBI and the Nixon gym. The Oliver Ames gyms have been very popular among teams for spots to practice, and it has caused massive scheduling problems.
Mr. Sunderland, a track coach said ¨It has been tough with track because we don’t have an indoor space so it has meant using the hallways a lot for workouts.¨
He later went on to say that the throwers will most likely not get to practice before the first meet, as they can not practice inside. Other towns are going through the same type of stress and chaos, so there should not be an unfair advantage in the amount of practice. However, everyone can benefit from warmer weather, which would lead to a more competitive season overall.
Although the snow is now melted, that does not mean that teams can go back to practicing as usual. The fields are still completely soaked, making it very difficult to run or do anything else on them. The season for baseball and other sports were supposed to start this week, yet some games had to be rescheduled because the fields were not prepared.
Bill Matthews, the Oliver Ames athletic director, said ¨We were supposed to start the season this week but the fields are still covered with snow, we haven’t had them lined, haven’t had them cleaned, or been able to do anything out there.¨ He then said that the extended winter, “creates a lot of work because we have scheduled it, then we have to cancel it, then we have to reschedule it, and then of course there is the job of finding places for everyone to practice.¨
Although life will go on and a little delay to spring sports is not the end of the world, there are many complications that arise from it. Athletes and coaches are certainly ready for spring to actually begin.