Coaches,
Here is the e mail I sent to Mr. Beasley on behalf of the SCBCA. Please ask your principals/AD to send an e mail to Mr Beasley requesting that spring sports open season be reinstated. Also, try to get your other coaches to contact their sport organization rep to send e mails to him also. Have your softball coaches contact CAWS. This needs to be done before Wed. Nov l8.

Mr. Beasley,

On behalf of the SCBCA, I would like to propose that our spring sports open season be reinstated by the HSL. If the entire 20 days can not be reinstated, then we would like to have the opportunity to coach our players and prepare them for the upcoming season with 15 days between Jan 4th and Jan 22nd for the following reasons and concerns from our baseball coaches at all levels in our association.

1- The lack of an open season basically gives us only 1 week to have tryouts, get ready to scrimmage and prepare pitchers for competition. Arm care and player safety is of utmost importance and an open season would allow coaches to properly prepare players arms for the season before tryouts. Starting Feb 1 without an open season would put players preparing on their own for tryouts and the upcoming season.

2- Player development has been delayed since the season was suspended in March of this year. While some players have played travel ball, they have not been able to practice with their high school coaches, which hurts the players being developed in specific skills. An open season would allow coaches to work with players on specific fundamental skills that have been neglected and are much needed before the season starts.

3- During the beginning of spring sports, weather can be an issue to get practice days in. If we do not have an open season and have weather issues during the preseason, it will further delay the preparation of players for the season and put them in harm's way.

4- Since the announcement of No open season for spring sports, a number of "winter leagues" have opened up for high school players, which puts them working with outside organizations with little to no covid guidelines or restrictions. The players will be safer working with us as we follow the safety guidelines set in place for social distancing and wearing a mask that the High School teams are to follow.

In conclusion, I know the HSL is concerned about bringing more people into the building, but spring sports teams will be scattered on the campus outside, which will limit the amount of contact and spread while allowing coaches to properly prepare for the season and not leave it in the hands of an outside organization. However, if the open season is not reinstated, please know it will not limit the number of participants on campus because most spring sport teams will still be weight lifting and conditioning.

Thank for your time,

Jack Jolly
Dorman High School
Phys Ed Teacher
Head Baseball Coach
SCBCA President