COLUMBUS — The Ohio High School Athletic Association is prepared to move forward with spring sports, but only if students return to school.
In a memo to OHSAA member schools, executive director Jerry Snodgrass laid out the organization’s plan for the remainder of the school year.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine initially ordered schools closed for three weeks beginning on March 16 and running through April 3 because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. He has since extended the closures through May 1.
If classrooms remain dark, spring sports will be shuttered. If schools re-open in May, an abbreviated spring sports season would begin May 9 and run through the end of June.
“We continue to stay in close contact with the state’s leadership relative to stay-at-home orders,” Snodgrass said in a memo to member school. “Additionally, we continue to collaborate with the (Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators) to make certain we have each other’s support as it relates to a return to school and activities.”
If schools re-open on May 4, spring sports seasons for baseball, softball, boys tennis, boys and girls track and boys and girls lacrosse would begin May 9.
The sectional baseball tournament would begin the final week of May, while the softball and boys tennis sectionals would begin the following week. The district track meets would be held beginning June 9.
The baseball and boys tennis state tournaments are tentatively scheduled for June 18 to 21. The softball and boys and girls track state tournaments would be held the following week.
“We are continuing with the Governor’s optimistic direction that schools will re-open on May 4,” Snodgrass said in the memo. “We will adjust accordingly. However optimistic this may be, we must plan for the return even if that ends up changing.”
