FILE -- Herriman and Davis compete in game one of 6A softball action at Herriman on Tuesday, May 14, 2019. Herriman won 8-2. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — Many high school athletes are lacing up their cleats and heading back out to the fields and diamonds again as sports begin to return to Utah.
After the spring season for sports was cut short due to the coronavirus, some schools are finding ways to have at least a little competition again. Even if it is unsanctioned.
Some baseball tournaments, soccer games, softball competitions and golf are all scheduled. But there are few if any spectators as they follow new rules about health and safety.
A few of them will be having competitions as soon as this week. High school girls golfers are set to tee up in a 5A/6A Spring Individual Championship competition this week. Girls softball teams are also competing in Utah County next week.
The American Fork High School softball team is among one of the teams competing next week. Coach Leslee Warr said the softball region got together and decided to participate in the sporting event.
“Since the kids missed out on their season, it would at least give them an opportunity to play a few games and kind of some closure,” said Coach Warr.
Coach Warr gave her softball team a few assignments to keep practicing with the hopes of being able to play again, but when the announcement came that the school was canceling the season, the glimmer of hope was lost. So, it was a humble surprise to be able to play again.
“It will be interesting to see how in shape we will really are come Monday,” said Warr.
A boys soccer tournament will be held in Farmington later in June.
“I just feel that the seniors deserve one more time on the field,” said organizer Nisa Hancock told KSL Sports.
All and all, 25 of Utah’s 41 school districts have given the go-ahead for fall sports to start conditioning and practicing.
One football coach said it’s more than athletics, it’s about being together again.
“The biggest and best thing is just getting the opportunity to see these guys, catch up, see how they are doing, see how their family is, etc.,” Brighton football coach Justin Hemm told the Deseret News.
Besides football, some volleyball and girls soccer teams have also started practicing together to be ready for a fall season.