South Carolina closer to opening fields, allowing youth sports practices and games
Youth sports around South Carolina could be closer to returning.
Duane Parrish, director for the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, offered a target restart date for youth sports at Tuesday’s Accelerate SC committee meeting. Parrish said his department’s recommendations are to allow teams to start practicing May 31 and then games can be scheduled starting June 15.
Gov. Henry McMaster still has to approve the recommendations before they go into effect. Sports seasons have been on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Parrish said his department monitored other states to see how they would phase back in youth sports and that South Carolina’s recommendation is similar to Texas’ plan, which was announced Monday.
Under Texas’ plan, youth sports leagues can begin holding practices without spectators — other than one parent or guardian per participant, as needed. Games can begin June 15 with parents being able to attend “so long as social distancing is followed.”
“We are confident that athletic fields of counties, municipalities and schools that it could take place in a safe manor,” Parrish said. “I’m confident that coaches, leagues and the like around the state have an individual plan around the safety for themselves.”
Dixie Youth and Little League baseball leagues already have canceled their state tournaments and World Series but hoped to let teams have some sort of summer seasons.
“Removing the state tournaments from our postseason schedule will allow for significant regular season play in those communities that are able to do so this season,” South Carolina Dixie Youth Baseball director Paul McCulloch said earlier this month. “Each district will have the opportunity to offer postseason play through the district tournament, should time permit.”
The Dixie Youth Association has listed a list of recommendations for teams and families, including potentially signing a waiver before participating.
American Legion Baseball in South Carolina has been canceled, but the S.C. American League summer league, a 19-and-under alternative independent league to American Legion for 2020, has been formed and is targeting a June 29 date to begin the season.
The S.C. High School League has not yet decided to allow athletic teams to resume workouts ahead of the 2020 season. That move could follow a McMaster decision on sports gatherings.
This story was originally published May 19, 2020 at 5:08 PM.
