The good news is there are games being played in all sports at all levels, baseball, basketball, football, golf, hockey, tennis. Seeing empty arenas still takes a second look to understand. Cardboard cutouts do help with thinking there are fans in the stands. Likely the stark, empty, grandstand for the U.S. Open in New York was noticeable.
• In Aurora, the empty stands at the football stadium will delay induction of the Ormond family Stadium name, which is compatible with the Ken Zimmerman Field. Wait till next year.
• The Luxemberg Club won the Boys Baseball of Aurora Minor League championship with a 12-10 victory over Dolan & Murphy in the championship game. Bob Reynolds, former president, coach, and supporter of the League for 25 years, threw out the first pitch in a pre-game ceremony and put the ball over the plate without bouncing it, or at a 45 degree angle. He is a baseball man. The Teamsters won the Major League championship with a 12-5 victory over Feltes Photo.
• Both Chicago Major League Baseball teams, White Sox and Cubs remain on their ways to the reconfigured playoffs, eight teams in each league which will begin when the regular season concludes Sunday, Sept. 27. Can pitching carry each team to the World Series? Many thought the young, talented White Sox players would excel. Who thought Ian Happ would lead the Cubs in home runs and lead with a .300 batting average, while stars Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javy Baez, and Kyle Schwarber, all would be fixed to .200 batting averages?
• Without preseason games to stoke the fires in the National Football League, the flames are tepid. The first games Sunday, Sept. 13 should change perception. Can the Chicago Bears’ defense carry the team to a playoff berth?
• High School football this Fall in Illinois is non-existent. College football in the Midwest will depend on Notre Dame and national teams to carry us through. Notre Dame will play 10 of its 11 games within the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• The Boys Baseball of Aurora made it through without any cases of COVID-19.
• Girls high school bowling will begin November 16, along with basketball, swimming, wrestling.