As tryouts are approaching, spring sports teams have begun participating in open gyms, weight training and practices prior to tryouts at the end of the month. These tryouts have been pushed back to a later date due to the winter sports season’s late start.  

Michigan High School Athletic Association Executive (MHSAA) Director Mark Uyl stated in an update on Mar. 3, “The spring sports “Return to Play” guidelines will be finalized and published on Monday, Mar. 15.”

Spring sports in the past would traditionally start their tryout process by the second week of March; however, with the new guidelines sports like softball, baseball and soccer are being pushed back. 

“To prepare for the upcoming season, the soccer team has started playing scrimmages and a few indoor practices,” junior Emma Novak said. “Some are during the week, but most are during the weekends.” 

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) stated to help slow the spread of COVID-19, indoor and outdoor sports should lower the number of players they allow on a team. There has been no say yet on mask mandates or how many spectators will be allowed. 

“I think each team and program will deal with player numbers differently,” varsity baseball coach Shawn Lawrence said. “Personally, we as a coaching staff have not made any decisions on how many players we’ll carry, but it does make sense to carry more players because of the possibility of losing students to quarantine.” 

Challenges have been faced during every sports season this year because of COVID-19. Spectators have been limited, players have to wear a mask, and seasons have been shortened. 

“I believe challenges this year will be similar to those of the other seasons,” Lawrence said. “Keeping kids healthy with COVID mandates such as masks and social distancing will be a main priority during the season.” 

A study by the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment said approximately 71 percent of the student body plays school sports. 

“I’m excited to be a part of a team atmosphere again,” Novak said. “Many things will have changed since last year, but the people are still the same.” 

Sports seasons this year have had to participate in certain mandates because of COVID-19, which has affected many seniors in the last seasons, but sports seasons have still taken place. Due to these changes, spring sports tryouts will fall between late March and early April depending on the sport.