From the sidelines
By Marty Gordon
One day soon, we will hear the roar of the crowd at a sporting event, and one day soon, we will cheer for our favorite team. But for now, we must still use caution when dealing with the COVID-19 and its dangers.
I know I’m like many of you, missing sports. About this time of year, I would also be on the softball and baseball diamonds, calling my share of games from behind the plate. I never thought I would say I miss the mothers and fathers complaining about a call, but I do.
It’s just a part of everyday life that many of us had to become accustomed to. This pandemic has changed the way we do things, and sports are just a part of that.
I have also found myself watching E-sports like NASCAR and the National Basketball Association. The virtual sports world has taken off in the midst of confusion. I have also found myself enjoying broadcasts of old ball games. I just wish they would put the date on the screen so I would know what I’m watching, but that is just a small snag.
The big questions are when we will have a sporting event and what the new normal will be. NASCAR says it will run races this month without fans. It’s not ideal, but it has to be the norm.
Other sports like the National Football League and college football are also considering empty stadiums. I hope it could change because there is nothing like playing with fans roaring in your ear.
In a conference call this past week, Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock estimated the university is on track to lose over $200 million in revenue thanks to the elimination of spring sports seasons and the possibility of what could happen with college football.
While he would not admit it, this shortfall could mean a lot of cuts. In conversations with other athletic directors, they hope entire sports will not face the ax. But I don’t know where else it could come from.
I know sports is only a small piece of what is going on in the world these days, but it would be good to have a distraction of all the negative we have in our lives right now, which is the real definition of sports.
As a sports fan, I was happy to see the recent NFL draft, and for three days, I had something other than COVID-19 TV to watch.
Hang in there, my fellow sports fan. One day soon, we will again have something to cheer for.
