Massachusetts lays plans for spring sports season amid COVID-19 pandemic

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) is efforting to keep some semblance of a spring sports season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, schools in the Bay State are closed until May 4 on orders from Governor Charlie Baker — with the spring sports season hanging in the balance.

In a conference call on Monday, March 30, the MIAA Board of Directors voted unanimously (19-0) to shift the previously pushed back start date of April 27 to May 4, according to a story in The Boston Herald.  The Board also voted unanimously on Board president Jeff Granatino’s recommendation to push back the end of the spring season from June 20 to June 27 with the hope that the MIAA could put together some form of a postseason tournament.

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“My sole obligation is to try and save the athletic season and I’m confident we can do it,” Granatino said to The Herald. “The students have lost a lot and if we can save one component if and when we return, that would help.”

The Herald’s story went on to add that the Board voted to change the standard preseason practice schedule from an 11-day period to seven days — meaning the first games could potentially start on May 11, provided the state allows schools to re-open on May 4. The Board also voted in favor of a minimum of eight games and a maximum of 12 games for a regular season to be eligible for a postseason berth.

To get all the details on the spring sports in Massachusetts and what the MIAA is doing to hopefully save some portion of the season, read the full Boston Herald story here.