COVID-19 guidelines will affect crowds at fall sporting events

I had the pleasure of attending Monday night’s Ohio County Lady Eagle soccer match at Madisonville-North Hopkins, watching two very good teams battle it out for 80 minutes to a 2-2 tie.

But upon entering the parking lot at the MNHS campus, I was hit in the face with something that area fans need to be aware of … restrictive guidelines in place to deal with the current novel coronavirus pandemic. Of course, everyone is probably aware of the heated debate about the reopening of schools (not yet in-person here) and the starting of high school “fall” sports. Fans, expect some guidelines to be enforced — possibly differently at different schools — during the 2020 Fall season.

For instance, at Madisonville-North Hopkins, I was subjected to a temperature check by a nice man at the parking lot entrance. On passing that I was directed to park in a lot a short distance from the field, and check in with the person selling tickets. Donning my face mask and pocketing my bottle of hand sanitizer, I walked to the ticket table, showed my official Times-News press pass, and used some of the large bottle of sanitizer there.

Knowing where the visiting fans sit — I’d been here before — I started to take the stairs at the south end of the press box/concession stand. But there I saw a sign saying “Exit-only” — sorta like the ones you see on the floor at many stores. So, I went down the other stairs, found the “Entrance-only”/”Masks Are Required” gate, walked through it, turned right and proceeded to the visitor’s fans section. Practicing my “social distancing” (though the walkway was very narrow), I found a seat, acknowledging several Lady Eagle fans en route … I’m pretty sure I recognized them, although all were wearing the required masks. During the match, the public address announcer made several announcements reminding those in attendance of the need to practice safety — masks, social distancing, etc.

At halftime, with Ohio County ahead 2-0, I made my required bathroom visit, taking the “Exit-Only” stairs, practiced social distancing in the lavatory, and taking the “Entrance-only” stairs and gate to return to my seat. This time someone I think I recognized as a former student of mine called out to me … I spoke briefly to them, got some info. on the night’s JV match, gave them a “air hug” and returned to my seat. After the match, I used the “Exit-only” stairs, found my car, and left as quickly as I could.

I recently contacted Ohio County High associate athletic director Alex Embry, inquiring about guidelines OCHS will have in place for this fall. He replied, “Crowd sizes will be greatly reduced to start this fall season. Following KHSAA guidelines, we will begin in Segment 1 of Fall sports, which call for 20% capacity at all facilities. After two weeks it jumps to 30%, and after four weeks up to 40%.”

“At 20% capacity: soccer total capacity is 300, softball…250, football…870 (by the time we host a varsity game on Oct. 2), (and) volleyball…430.”

“Our plan is to try and ensure our student-athletes can provide enough tickets (so) their families can watch them compete. Each athlete, regardless of which sport for the fall season, can have up to six people at the event…We are also providing a total of 20% of our tickets to the opposing team. Example: total soccer 300 tickets, 20% for visitors is 60…At each event, there will be (a) limited amount of ‘walk-up’ tickets available. We want to make sure our players have their families there, first and foremost.”

“We will only pre-sale tickets for football games…and more info. on that will come as soon as we get closer (to Oct. 2). We will accept Eagle Club passes to honor our commitment to our valued sponsors. We will accept senior citizen passes (and)…will work hard to ensure everyone who wants to come in and watch the event can. However, due to restrictions, we cannot allow ‘coaches’ cards’ or free students at this time. Nobody in the region is accepting ‘coaches’ cards.’”

“Admission will be $5 across the board, but children two and under are free. Attendees will be subject to symptom screening and having the temp(erature) checked before entering the facility. All spectators are expected to socially distance and wear a mask when they are up moving and going to the concession stand or restroom…Concessions will be offering a limited menu and restroom capacity will be limited.”

“As far as away games go,” Embry concluded, “each school will be operating under similar guidelines. However, they may fluctuate some. We will not get many tickets beyond players’ families for away events, so I would urge parents and grandparents to make preparations for attending away events, and don’t leave it up to chance.”

Note: On a personal level, your humble writer has recently visited a couple of Third Region schools preparing for this year’s volleyball season. On their list of guidelines could be that there will be no lower gym seating, only upper deck, and that the only fans allowed to sit within the social distancing six-foot penumbra (look it up) will be members of the same family or those who rode to the contest in the same vehicle. I’ve even heard(rumor) that one area football school (on Ohio County’s away schedule this season) may not allow any visiting fans to attend. Stay tuned…