SPORTS

What the winter will look like

By ALEX SPONSELLER
Posted 12/24/20

Winter sports are on. In light of last week's briefing by the governor, the Rhode Island Interscholastic League along with the state have decided to tip things off on Jan. 4 once the holidays conclude. It seemed like this was going to happen, but now

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SPORTS

What the winter will look like

Posted

Winter sports are on.

In light of last week’s briefing by the governor, the Rhode Island Interscholastic League along with the state have decided to tip things off on Jan. 4 once the holidays conclude. It seemed like this was going to happen, but now that it finally has, it is time to exhale and look forward to getting back out there.

I never had any real doubt that there would be a winter season. Nothing was a given of course, and with a year like this, I was certainly not assuming anything. But from the beginning, there has been a big push for sports this winter and I know behind the scenes many people have been working tirelessly to find systems to ensure the safety of athletes and spectators at these events.

Now, there are some adjustments, many actually, that will be a bit of a bummer this winter season. However, some sports are better than no sports, and safety has to be paramount when laying out the plan moving forward.

Unfortunately, wrestling and competitive cheerleading did not make the cut for sports that were approved this winter. Although they will likely be pushed to the spring, it will be a bit different not having them in January and February.

To me, it’s not a big deal. As long as these kids get to compete, then why not? Especially with the third season in place, I don’t think there will be many conflicts with kids having to choose between one sport or another.

My biggest concern is more about college recruitment. A bunch of our kids have signed to compete in college in the last few weeks, and one recurring theme is how getting recruited was a challenge considering the pandemic has jumbled schedules, placed travel restrictions, eliminated leagues, so on and so forth.

Even still though, colleges I’m sure have been adjusting on the fly as we have and have made improvements to scout talent. It’s one of those things, where seeing these sports be pushed off is sad, but then when you really think about it, it really is not a big deal. Again, if you ask athletes and coaches, they may tell you something totally different, but I feel like everything is going to be OK in that regard.

In terms of other changes, one big one is the use of virtual meets for swimming. This winter, teams will be swimming at their home pools exclusively, while being in real-time contact with other teams and recording scores on site.

At first, I was perplexed. My initial thoughts were, “How is swimming any different than hockey or basketball?” “In what way is swimming more risky than other sports?”

But then it dawned on me … the difference is that unlike these other sports, kids don’t have to be in the same pool to compete. I swear that I am not as dumb as I sound, this revelation came about 10 seconds after I began thinking.

So, overall, I guess I am for the idea. Sure, I am going to miss the atmosphere. There is nothing like being in a loud pool, watching kids having fun and rooting for one another. Swimming is one of these sports where there is a ton of camaraderie, even between opposing teams, so covering meets in that environment is always entertaining.

I will miss it and I am sure the kids will, too. But like I said, I guess it is a good idea to keep the population distant for the time being, especially considering it is an indoor sport. Why risk it when you don’t have to?

The other big change will be who is allowed in attendance.

Only essential personnel such as the players, coaches administrators will be permitted to the events, as well as immediate family members of those involved. This was not a surprise, either.

Everything is different when you’re indoors. We all know that. Even in the outdoor fall season, the numbers were trending in the wrong direction and we barely made it through without major complications.

Point being, now that we have shifted indoors, it is going to be tougher than ever to control the virus and limiting fans in attendance is a necessity. The student section does its best work in crowded gyms and ice rinks, it will be a quiet winter this year, but once again and like I will be saying throughout the entire season … this is better than nothing.

From there, the other adjustments are not quite as drastic, mostly things involving sanitization breaks and regulations, certain events in gymnastics will be tweaked, but the virtual swim meets and attendance numbers will be the most noticeable changes.

I know, I know, I kicked off this column with optimism then immediately broke down why the system in place will dampen things. But let me make myself clear, I am ecstatic that we officially have clarity on when the winter season will get started, and I am looking forward to getting going in a couple more weeks. Nothing is perfect in 2020, but regardless, I am very, very happy.

Just one more reminder as well, if and when you attend these events, please be sure to obey protocols and give the kids a chance to see this season through. The large majority of fans and spectators were vigilant in the fall, and the winter will take an even greater effort. Let’s stay on top of things. The Pats are officially out of the playoff hunt. After they lost to the Rams, I pretty much wrote them off, but now that it is official, it’s time to look toward the future.

Let’s start with Cam Newton. Is his rough season and lack of production his entire fault and simply because he’s inadequate? No, his receiving core is abysmal.

However, it is clear that he will just never be an efficient passer in this league again, so unless he finds an offense that will let him play schoolyard ball or has a bell cow runner like Derrick Henry, his days as a quality starter are likely done.

The Pats are set to have an abundance of cap space for next season, and I don’t think it would be a bad idea to sign a veteran signal caller while drafting one as well. QB is the most important position on the field, and the Pats are unsettled at best.

Next, they desperately need to add one if not two receiving targets. Bill Belichick’s recent track record of finding playmakers in the draft is poor, so some of that cap space must be devoted to signing veteran ball catchers.

As for defense, I think they’re actually in good shape. They’ll still have a deep, talented secondary with a few nice young pieces up front. They will also have Dont’a Hightower and Patrick Chung (likely) coming back from their COVID opt-outs, and another draft to stack talent.

But overall, the dynasty is over, and the Pats are no longer invisible. Sad to see, but for the first time in two decades, things will be interesting.

My Pitch, winter sports

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