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A Few Clouds and Breezy Baldwin coaches, players react to spring sports cancellation
Long Island officials cancel season amid pandemic
It’s game over for public high school spring sports on Long Island for 2020.
Any hopes for even a modified season were dashed April 21 when health and safety concerns led athletic administrators and school superintendents in Nassau and Suffolk counties to announce the cancellation of the spring sports season.
Baldwin varsity girls’ lacrosse coach Rebecca LaFlare said that when she first let the team know that the season would be postponed, before the cancellation, “tears started flying from their faces.”
“They were really, really upset,” she said. “Even the younger girls who were finally able to get on the varsity squad — it was just an emotional moment.”
She felt for the seniors who would not get to play their last home game, but explained that she and her assistant coach were thinking of planning something special for them “just to make it feel like they had their moment.”
LaFlare said she has kept in touch with her players via group chats and by sending them motivational quotes as well as workout routines.
“They were all sending me videos of them doing wall ball at home or practicing with their little brother, doing little home workouts,” she said, “so it was nice that they were kind of motivating each other.”
There were a few days of tryouts the first week of March, and LaFlare said the team would have been a solid group of girls. Many of the players had prepared for the spring in the off-season, and “the season was really bright for them,” she said.
The team would have practiced six days a week, including games.
“I miss them,” LaFlare said of her players, including the girls she was just getting to know. “They just all miss being together, and I miss coaching. That’s what I love to do. I miss being out on the field with them.”
For Baldwin High senior and varsity lacrosse player Megan Doyle, the cancellation of the season made her realize she may want to play lacrosse in college.
“Obviously, it was very sad news to hear,” Doyle said. “I actually tore my [anterior cruciate ligament] at the end of last season, so I was looking forward to this season as kind of like a comeback season, so that was definitely very disappointing.”
She will attend York College in Pennsylvania in the fall, and is considering joining an intramural lacrosse team.
Tess Ferguson, a junior who has played for LaFlare since eighth grade, said that while it’s difficult, she understands the importance of canceling the season.
“I was definitely looking forward to the season more than anything,” Ferguson said. “I love playing with my teammates, but it’s a matter of public health when it comes down to it, and if it means sacrificing my time in the short term to be able to spend more time on the field in the future, I’m willing to do that.”
She and her teammates are trying to keep one another motivated via group chats. “I just really can’t wait to get back on the field with my teammates,” Ferguson said. “It’s difficult but necessary.”
Baldwin varsity softball coach Tom Llewellyn said he was hoping for the best, but everyone knew the season would be canceled.
“It still didn’t change the fact that you’re upset from it,” he said, “and upset for the kids more than anything.”
Llewellyn said his players had prepared in the off-season, practicing in the gym in December for a couple of hours every night, some even putting in work for years to get to this moment. But the girls have been handling it well, he said.
“They’re still upset, but they understand what’s going on in the world,” Llewellyn said. “The whole generation is handling it very well. I’m very proud of them and how they are handling it.”
Each week he sends messages to his players, and he recently ordered team apparel that he drove around and dropped off at players’ homes while respecting social distancing orders. He plans to send gifts to the seniors so “they’ll have their moment.”
The Section VIII athletics conference encompasses Nassau County, and Section XI, Suffolk County.
“For the safety for our student athletes, Section VIII has made the difficult decision to cancel spring sports for our high schools and middle schools,” Nassau County Section VIII Executive Director Pat Pizzarelli said. “Long Island is one of the areas most affected by this terrible pandemic, so both section VIII and Section XI have made this very difficult decision.”
Administrators in both counties met and thought it was important to react quickly. Even if public school buildings were to reopen, no sporting events will be held.
Two weeks ago, Gov. Andrew Cuomo extended New York state’s stay-at-home policies through May 15, meaning that school buildings will be closed until at least that date.
“It’s very sad for the seniors, but we are dealing with life and death,” Pizzarelli said. “We have to safeguard our students and communities. We waited as long as we possibly could to make this heartbreaking decision.”
Nassau County’s Athletic Council, which includes superintendents, principals and officials, met April 20 and was unanimous in its decision. Athletic directors met the next day and agreed.
“The cancellation of the spring sports season is unfortunate, and I feel terrible for all of our students, especially our seniors,” Baldwin Athletic Director Ed Ramirez said. “But our kids have always been a model of excellence, and they’ve always been respectful, considerate and understanding when it comes to the greater good of others.”
