Iowa is capping its high school baseball and softball seasons this week by hosting state tournaments in Des Moines and Fort Dodge, respectively. Both sites are welcoming fans to the games.
On the baseball side, champions will be crowned in all four classes Saturday at Principal Park — home of the Iowa Cubs.
Due to virus concerns, ticket sales were capped around 1,800, according to a press release distributed by the IHSAA. Capacity at Principal Park is 11,500.
Softball championship games will be played Thursday and Friday at the Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge. Face coverings are encouraged and the IGHSAU website reads, "It is expected that fans will practice social distancing..." while at the facility.
The state's summer baseball and softball seasons haven't been without adversity when it comes to the novel coronavirus.
ESPN reported in early July that at least 25 of 338 baseball teams and 20 softball teams have encountered some type of exposure to COVID-19.
Class 4A baseball championship contender
Dowling Catholic (West Des Moines) ended its season around the same time after a member of the team tested positive for COVID-19. The school's softball team also ended its season prematurely.
The season got underway a month later than originally scheduled. Those initial baseball and softball contests in Iowa were the first high school sports events since the pandemic shut things down in March.
