Why are some sports starting, and others waiting?

It seems as though a lot of professional sports are getting back into their seasons: the National Football League (which started allowing fans back into the stadium as of Wednesday, September 23), the National Basketball Association, and the Major League Baseball (which is going straight into the playoffs).

However, that is only a minority of the many US sports. Most are suspending their seasons, including the Women’s National Basketball Association, College Football, Major League Soccer, and the National Hockey League.

The sports that are continuing are going into a “bubble” concept. The players are not allowed to have contact with anyone outside of their coaches and teammates, and if they do, the team may be shut down. 

Unfortunately, high schools won’t be implementing this “bubble” concept.

“Our school district is following the guidance of the Department of Health,” assistant principal and acting athletic director Loren Krogstad said. “No extracurricular activities should happen until all students have some level of in-person learning and/or the cases fall to 25 per 100,000 people.” 

Until this happens, everything is on hold. No competition, no practices, no tryouts.

But when sports ultimately do return, there will be new rules and precautions taken.

“This will probably entail taking temperatures and asking questions about symptoms,” Krogstad said.

However, nothing is for certain yet, and there are still many questions unanswered. 

“Will we have to wear masks? Will we have to work in small groups rather than full groups?” Krogstad said.

We won’t know until the time comes, but until we get the ok, Liberty will be doing all it can to keep the Patriots safe and healthy.