Spring sports athletes get a chance at redemption after the loss of last year's season
New capacity increases following announcements by Gov. Mills and the Maine Principals Association allow spectators at high school games so long as they follow the guidelines set by the community
MADDIE MARSTON
April 12, 2021
On Friday, March 12, the Maine Principals Association announced high school spring sports in Maine are cleared to have a regular postseason with playoffs and a championship.
Last spring in 2020, the season was cancelled by the MPA and the town of Yarmouth took precaution by shutting down school. As of now, the spring season is in play, and games are around the corner.
“It's evolving which is exciting,” said David Creech, Yarmouth High School’s athletic director. “I feel like we can have our spring athletes get a full season with playoffs and championships.”
According to a Portland Press Herald article from March 5, with Mills’ new capacity changes on March 26th, gatherings can now take place at 50% of normal capacity.
“I am not going to tie it as much to a number,” said Creech about the number of spectators allowed to view games. “I am going to watch where people are standing and sitting.”
Creech added that he would take particular note of mask-wearing. As long as the guidelines are followed, Creech expects to see many spectators at sporting events this spring.
Playing in a pandemic raises concerns in terms of athletes quarantining from close contact within teams.
“I am obviously quite worried about any member of our team getting COVID as this would lead to us missing 10 days of practice and games,” said YHS senior lacrosse player Nate Henninger. “With a season that is only 11 weeks long, we need all the practices we can get.”
“My one worry is that the team will have to quarantine before an important match or playoffs,” said YHS senior tennis player GW Ruth.
According to another Portland Press Herald article from March 24, the MPA addressed this issue with the revival of “open playoffs.” In a normal year, 67% of the teams in Class A, B, or C, make it to the postseason games. However, this year all teams automatically make it no matter where they are seeded in their designated class. Under this system, missing games due to Covid will not impair a team's chance of making playoffs.
“This gives everyone a chance to make it no matter how many games are played,” said Yarmouth Girls Lacrosse coach, Dorothy Holt. “After last season’s disappointment, I am just grateful we all get a season.”
Many senior athletes at Yarmouth High School are ready for their final sports season no matter what gets in their way. “I am just happy to be playing,” said senior lacrosse player Anna Thornton.
Last fall for sports such as soccer and field hockey, there were limited spectators and no postseason games. The same occurred for winter athletes participating in skiing, basketball, track, and hockey. These athletes who were not given the opportunity for postseason games are saddened to see the spring sports athletes currently playing a normal season.
“I wish they would have allowed us to have that final postseason,” said senior soccer player, Gabby Thibodeau. “Obviously there wasn't a vaccine out so it is understandable now that players are going to have that opportunity to have states.”
There is more hope as guidelines progress and Maine starts opening up. However, some are worried that Yarmouth school students coming back after April break could instigate another spike.
“If we have some people come back with cases, that could hurt us in terms if we go back to school full-time,” said Creech. “You just have to err on the side of caution. If you have either been around somebody who might have it, stay home. If you are feeling sick, stay home.”
All of this could be subject to change, but at the moment Yarmouth High School athletes are being cautious, wearing masks, and maintaining the three-feet buffer. Currently, there is reason to be hopeful about postseason games thanks to the new open tournament style.