If Coupeville track stars like Raven Vick (left) and Ja’Tarya Hoskins get the chance to compete this spring, they will face a shortened season. (Brian Vick photo)
If there is a spring high school sports season, teams can play shortened games in an effort to complete as much of the schedule as possible in a very short time.
That recommendation was offered Wednesday by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
Currently, all schools in the state are shut down through April 24 on the orders of Governor Jay Inslee, as the fight to blunt the spread of coronavirus continues.
If students return to school at the end of the six-week shutdown, with the first classes April 27, they will have to put in 10 practices and then can begin games.
The WIAA previously announced it would offer a waiver, allowing schools to conduct 10 practices in five days time.
It also stated state championships will not be played later than Saturday, May 30, so as not to conflict with graduations in June.
That means if the six-week shutdown is lengthened at all, spring sports could be in jeopardy.
If Washington goes the route of states such as Kansas and cancels classes through the end of the 2019-2020 school year, there would definitely be no spring athletic season.
But, under a best-case scenario, with schools reopening April 27, games could begin as early as May 2.
The WIAA has directed each league and district to determine its own means of qualifying teams for the postseason, and has said it will allow teams which are not in the playoffs to continue regular season games through May 30.
While it’s highly-doubtful schools could play, say, an entire 20-game baseball season in four weeks time, shortened games and multiple contests on the same day will be allowed.
WIAA guidelines for each sport Coupeville High School plays:
Baseball:
*Pitch count, which is a daily limit and not a game limit, will still be enforced.
“Care should be taken to insure that pitchers are not exceeding their arm strength and conditioning during this shortened season,” the WIAA said. “Coaches have an obligation to take care of their pitchers.”
*Teams will be allowed to play shortened games, with five innings being a complete game.
*May 19 is the final day for teams to qualify for regionals, with state championships May 29-30.
Boys Soccer:
*Teams will be allowed to play shortened games, with one half of play constituting a complete game.
*May 19 is the final day for teams to qualify for state. The tourney will be played May 23, 26, 29, and 30.
Girls Tennis:
*Athletes will be allowed to play multiple matches in the same day, but can not exceed nine sets per day.
*May 24 is the final day for individuals to qualify for state.
Softball:
*Teams will be allowed to play shortened games, with five innings constituting a complete game.
*May 24 is the final day for teams to qualify for state.
Track and Field:
*If an athlete competes on their own at an invitational during the shut down, their marks don’t count toward automatic qualifying standards for state. These standards must be met during school-sponsored meets.
*Athletes will still be restricted to competing in a maximum of four events during school-sponsored meets.
*May 24 is the final day for qualifier meets, with the state meet set for May 28-30.
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