A couple weeks of weeks ago while sitting at my Chicagoland home, I realized how much I truly miss hearing the metallic clang of the aluminum bat hitting the ball and the cheering of the parents from the baseball field that is a block from our home. Soon enough though, we hope to hear those sounds again as players, coaches, and umpires Return to Work.
“Return to Work” has always been related to someone going back to work after having a baby or recovering from a medical condition. Never did I imagine we would be using this term related with going back to work from a global pandemic.
What is the new normal?
Just as many of us are trying to wrap our minds around what all levels of sports will look like for the players, coaches, field and arena personnel, the officials are doing the same. Will they be working in front of empty fields, arenas and stadiums, will they be allowed to share a locker room, will they be allowed to talk to players and coaches, and more importantly, will they have to wear a mask? All of these questions are in the discussion, and there are varying opinions on what is right and wrong. For the majority of these folks, they just want to get back to work, get back to what they love doing for our kids and communities.
In conversations with officials these past few months, they have told me consistently that they cannot wait to get back to the fields and courts. I think the same is true for parents and fans, and certainly athletes; everyone wants to safely get back to sports, even if an altered state for a short period.
Conclusion
My ask of fans, parents, coaches and players is the same. As we Return to Work, please do so with a new found spirit of appreciation, and share that appreciation with everyone involved in making these competitions happen, especially the officials. What do you think the new normal for sports should be? If you’re an official or know one, how do you/they feel? Leave your comments below.
Stay healthy!
As we move toward renewing the competition about us, we strive to make sure all are safe. The greater need is for everyone to participate and strive for a safe atmosphere for all parties. Having said that, the more we work at getting things back to normal the parents will not have a similar attitude. In the few instances so far they act enthused but turn nasty at the drop of the hat. They still believe that their $5 gives them the right to complain and approach officials like they own them. Sites need a better handle on rowdy and unruly parents instead of saying “it is not my job to police the parents!”