Historically, sports fans have short attention spans, given the undulations of the ups and downs of games played each season. Reactions vary from great, to oh no!
In Major League Baseball, the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox are on solid ground, however, it is early and the projections change quickly. Both Chicago teams captured victories Tuesday to be at the top or near the top in this year’s truncated season.
The Sox moved to 7-4 for second place in the American League Central Division through Tuesday and the Cubs were in first place in the National League Central with a 9-2 record well ahead of the pack, for now. The two teams had played 11 games of the relatively-brief 60-game season.
The Sox took a sluggish start out of the gate and a few diehard fans thought the worst. Earlier this week there was the a light-hearted reverie that the two teams could end up in the World Series. Pitching success, or, lack of it, clutch hitting, or the lack of it, a surprise player, or two, will help dictate successful seasons for both teams. Likely we should root for good health in this COVID-19 season as much as healthy pitching. In the meantime, with the postponement of games because of COVID-19, how will Major League Baseball find ways to make up games canceled in the early part of the season? We must mask our feeling, to turn a phrase and stress that the players will see the wisdom of covering their faces when in uncharted areas. The virus is real. One slip and there could be problems for teams. The races for the playoffs should be interesting, especially with 16 teams authorized to participate in postseason play.
• High School sports are involved in changes, along with all other facets. Football in February? What to do about high-risk wrestling. There is no virtual wrestling. Will there be testing for COVID-19? Some of the premier high school football players, with college scholarship aspirations, have moved, or, are contemplating moving out of state to play football in the Fall. It certainly will be a high school sports year to remember. Getting through the year will be the objective and nothing should be taken for granted.
• The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) had moved its July 2020 Hall of Fame/Coach of the Year banquet to September 5 with the plan that the COVID-19 would relent by then. No such luck. The IBCA banquet char, Mark Kleemann, has sent the inevitable notice that the September banquet will not be held as long as the State government restrictions on gatherings remain at 50.
“We will look to May 1, 2021 as the date to induct both Hall of Fame classes for 2020 and 2021. The banquet is officially canceled (for September 5),” he said.
• Boys Baseball of Aurora has started playing games at four levels, Pony, Major, Minor, and Rookie Leagues. Fewer teams are involved, but some teams have played seven games.
• The Naperville Park District is moving ahead with its golf schedules. The Naperville Park District has reported that at both of its courses, Springbrook and Naperbrook, there has been a significant increase in requests by individuals to play.
“Since May 29, when Illinois moved into Phase 3, our courses have seen an over 20% increase in rounds compared to the same period in 2019,” said Park District director of golf, Kevin Carlson.
The Summer tournaments were canceled, however, Fall tournaments are scheduled to be played. The Senior Amateur Championship will be at both Springbrook and Naperbrook, August 19 and 20. The Senior Fall Scramble will be September 3 and Scramble for those older than 18 years will be October 10. The Turkey Shoot will be played November 21-22