No games, small practices, little clear guidance.
Youth sports coaches and organizers listening to Gov. Tim Walz’s news conference on Wednesday learned very little about the future of programs halted by coronavirus. They got a window to start practice on June 1, but no sense of whether they will have a season for which to prepare.
Games and competitions remain prohibited, and there is no window on the state’s Stay Safe MN Plan chart for their return.
“We need clear direction about youth sports,” said Matt Tiano, CEO of Twin Cities Soccer Leagues (TCSL). “We feel sports are a critical component of psychosocial development and believe they can be resumed safely.”
The governor and Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm each expressed great concern about loosening restrictions too quickly when the virus is still taking the lives of Minnesotans. Another 29 deaths were added on Wednesday, bringing the total to 777, and hospitalizations are rising to 550 statewide, 212 in critical condition.
Malcolm said new cases have declined for the past five days — there were 640 added Wednesday — but added, “It’s far too early to consider that a trend. … It’s too early to declare we’re on the downward slope.”
In an understandably dense wave of state recommendations to help stop the spread of the coronavirus in Minnesota, there has been no clear path for youth and recreational sports.
According to Executive Order 20-56, issued Wednesday and going into effect June 1, gatherings of more than 10 people remain prohibited, and social distancing of at least six feet is required — which jibes with TCSL’s plan, which targets June 1 as the first day for “outdoor, 10-person training, with specific protocols in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”
However, state guidelines updated on May 13 indicate larger groups can practice if they remain in “pods” of 10 or fewer people with a coach-to-player ratio of 1:9. The state recommends those groups do not mix, but it could allow larger teams to practice together in groups.
That was good news for Todd Johnson, executive director of National Sports Center in Blaine.
“We are seeking clarification and we think we’re going to get it, hopefully in a day or two,” said Johnson, who also is the executive director of the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission.
Johnson has been the liaison between the state and dozens of youth and amateur sports governing bodies trying to get permission to resume their schedules, and he wonders whether sports and recreation leagues have been a tough fit for the state’s dial gauge for reopening.
The dial has moved to small businesses, about halfway to the top end. Youth sports don’t easily fit into a business category and don’t really work in the DNR’s guidelines for outdoor activities.
“We understand that league games and tournaments might be further on the dials,” Tiano said. “However, we put a lot of thought and time into a plan that fits into the guidelines the state is putting out, and we’re just looking for some confirmation or guidance about what expectations are.”
Johnson said he’s optimistic about getting some definitive answers soon. Many groups were hoping to start playing games on June 15. “It’s not going to be 100 percent satisfactory for everybody,” he said, “but generally I think we’ll get there.”
