Let's show the world we can handle summer sports - Letter to the Editor

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Dear Central Lee Family, 

As many of you know, Governor Reynolds announced last week that Iowa high schools would be able to start summer baseball and softball practice June 1. Our first games are scheduled for June 15. We ask for your patience as we prepare and distribute information for our athletes, coaches, spectators, and other game management personnel. 

At this time, we know the Southeast Iowa Super Conference will split baseball and softball sites to reduce crowd sizes on school grounds. For example, if we host Van Buren for a softball game, Van Buren will host us for baseball that same evening. 

Iowa will be the first state in the country to resume competitive high school sports this summer. We may be the first competitive team sports to play in any high school, college, and professional associations nationwide. The entire country will be watching Iowa starting June 15. Therefore, it is imperative that we successfully navigate competitive team sports during the pandemic. If we are not successful, it could mean we miss out on fall and/or winter sports later this year. 

As we have seen with many local stores and businesses, we must be adaptable to the COVID-19 mitigation strategies schools have implemented. Some schools may ban the use of bleachers, some may require exact change when paying admission, and some may require players’ and spectators’ temperature to be taken before entering their complex. There may be other strategies not mentioned as well. Central Lee and our area schools are committed to communicating these to each other in advance so you are aware before traveling. 

Regardless of the requirement, we ask that we all remain respectful and compliant when we visit area schools. The school administrators who are developing these strategies are doing their best and working hard to create a safer and healthier environment for all. In some cases, they may be doing what their local county health department requires. 

We are fortunate to have an opportunity to play baseball and softball this summer, and our fans are fortunate to be able to attend. Let’s show the rest of the world that this can be done safely and that we can be respectful to our neighboring schools when visiting them. 

Lastly, let’s play ball this summer! Go Hawks!

Sincerely,
Dr. Andy Crozier,
Superintendent

baseball, Central Lee School District, letter to the editor, Pen City Current, softball, summer sports

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