High school baseball coaches talk about dealing with no games and 'a new normal'

What information do you have about when (if?) your season will continue. Has the entire season been cancelled? Is their hope that the season will continue with some sort of season-ending playoff?


"As of right now we are in a holding pattern. Our school is closed until April 3, then the situation will be re-evaluated. Some schools in the area have already announced they are closed until the end of April. I think the powers that be are going to wait on any final decision until all the schools are back or things are deemed safe. There are questions about getting the kids back in baseball shape. My biggest concern is the pitchers, especially if they go a month without throwing."

Miguel Menendez, Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.)
"Our season right now has been suspended through April 15. We are hopeful that we can continue with some sort of season after that date. We are hopeful that we will have some sort of playoffs."

Rick Arnold, Trinity (Louisville, Ky.)
"In Kentucky, we are delayed through at least April 12. Monday, April 13, would be our first day back from spring break and although it looks like they will delay it further. We have no word yet from the KHSAA. I am glad they are waiting for now and not making decisions until it's absolutely necessary."

Scott McGee, Willard (Mo.)
"Here in Missouri we have been told we cannot play if school is not in session. Our school has currently closed everything through April 3. Theoretically, we can play beginning April 4, but I would imagine school gets pushed back. We have not canceled postseason play or anything, so we are still trying to be optimistic."

John Diatte, Valley Christian (San Jose, Calif.)
"The section commissioners met on Tuesday and decided now was not the time to cancel our spring sports season. No other information was or has been given about how the spring will play out."

"We don't really know what to expect. Our association has sent us word that if we get to go back to school, we will resume our season in some way — we just don't really know what that would look like. It might be adjusted playoffs, shortened playoffs, or even playing games with no playoff system just to get players back on the field."

Peter Lotus, St. Laurence (Burbank, Ill.)
"There is still hope for the Illinois high school teams. The director of the IHSA has sent statements of not making a decision and just staying in a suspended state. We are all very hopeful that we will still have a season!"

Greg Olsen, Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.)
"Our season has not been canceled to this point, the FHSAA will reconvene April 15. We hope to get on the field at some point!"

Matt Darr, Regis Jesuit (Aurora, Colo.)
"At this point we are suspended until April 18. There is hope, but it really depends on how the rest of the season goes."

What is your new normal? What types of things are you doing with your team to stay ready for the return of play?

Chris Vogt, Ayala (Chino, Calif.)
"We are not allowed to hold any practices. I know a lot of my guys are hitting in their cages or doing tee work at home, as well as lifting. Some kids are able to play long toss. I check in with a few kids each day seeing how they are doing, making sure they are staying on top of their assignments and trying to get a feel for how they are mentally coping with everything."

Miguel Menendez, Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.)
"It's self-distancing. We are back to school thru online learning, so that is different in itself. Our guys are working individually to stay in shape and they continue to work on their own to be ready if and when we return to action."

Rick Arnold, Trinity (Louisville, Ky.)
"We cannot have any practices or meetings right now. The KHSAA has mandated a modified "Dead Period" so being together as a team is not allowed."

Scott McGee, Willard (Mo.)
"Our players are working in small groups. We are a small town, and all of our players grew up together, many living in the same subdivisions. They are playing catch when it isn't raining, and just waiting on a go-ahead. As coaches, we have been told we can communicate with each player, but cannot be around them for any workouts."

John Diatte, Valley Christian (San Jose, Calif.)
"I have tried to support our athletes with continued positive motivational messages. We are out of school, not practicing or meeting. I have always believed that baseball was a vehicle for teaching life lessons and developing our young men into adult men. My goal is to continue this process. I have continued to communicate through devotions and motivational messages. Although the physical side of baseball may have been slowed the spiritual, mental and emotional side can still be met. As coaches we should be meeting the needs of the individuals we are serving. This is my new normal. I will continue to educate and support our athletes however I can."

Brent Patterson, Cullman (Ala.)
"In Alabama, we are not allowed to have any contact with our players (no meetings, workouts, practices, etc), so besides just regular communication we don't do anything baseball related."

Peter Lotus, St. Laurence (Burbank, Ill.)
"We started having virtual practices on Zoom. It started with some seniors that missed seeing their teammates. They reached out to me to see if we could possibly do something together as a team. Each day during our normal practice time (3:15pm) we hold a "virtual" practice. We try to keep our normal routine of practice and the coaches send out practice agendas. We get the opportunity to breakdown film in all aspects of our practices that were taped on Hudl from the first two weeks of practice! It has been great. We can communicate and be able to see each other on a daily basis and also get some valuable work done."

Greg Olsen, Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.)
"We are not participating in any team functions at this point. As a school we are following CDC, state and local guidelines."

Matt Darr, Regis Jesuit (Aurora, Colo.)
"CHSAA ( the Colorado High School Activities Association) is prohibiting contact with players until April 18. We can send them workouts to do on their own."

With the NCAA giving an additional year of eligibility to college seniors and the MLB possibly not holding a draft, what decisions are your draftable players/college players facing? How are they approaching the next step in their baseball careers? How concerned are they about the uncertainty of the whole process?

Chris Vogt, Ayala (Chino, Calif.)
"We did not have any seniors that are draft kids, but there are a few senior that are good enough to play in college, but are uncommitted. Two kids, especially, were having very good seasons and I think would have had some opportunities at the local D2 schools. There is some anxiety from some of my juniors about their travel season possibly either being cancelled or limited. I don't think they have really thought too much about college. It seems like the first concern is how disappointed they were that our season abruptly ended and they want to know if there is a chance we finish. After this baseball season they are focused on academics, the younger guys will start looking at college issues in the next few months."

Miguel Menendez, Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.)
"It's a challenge for everyone. There is not enough information at this time to really figure out how it will impact our young men. I know that the ability for seniors to return plus the potential of no draft changes the dynamics of each roster which will impact all of the incoming freshman. They aren't overly concerned yet, but it is something that I think everyone is keeping a close eye on."

Rick Arnold, Trinity (Louisville, Ky.)
"Our high school seniors have all signed with a college so they know they better work harder than ever because the numbers will likely be higher than ever next year if the NCAA allows an extra year of eligibility."

Scott McGee, Willard (Mo.)
"Our guys have handled all of that really well. The colleges have been in communication with some of them, and they are all still excited about their college opportunities. Kids are resilient and are dealing much better than I anticipated with all of this."

John Diatte, Valley Christian (San Jose, Calif.)
"I believe and would encourage our athletes to focus on their academics and continue in preparation for next year. All of our seniors are planning on attending universities next fall. Some will be playing and others will be focusing on their academics. No matter what, their continued education and development as a person should be their greatest concern. Unlike the collegiate athletes I don't believe our high school athletes will receive an extra year. I know our seniors were discouraged. However, my encouragement will for them to continue their growth as men, to serve and lead others when they can."

Brent Patterson, Cullman (Ala.)
"We don't have any seniors that the draft will affect. As far as kids that will be playing in college, it definitely raises questions and creates some uncertainty about what rosters will look like and which players may return for another year. But right now, I think most of our guys are more concerned with the daily changes that this virus brings to the life around them. I'm sure that as things settle down, there will be more and more questions that arise."

Peter Lotus, St. Laurence (Burbank, Ill.)
"We have nine players committed to play college baseball next year. Their obvious concern resides in full teams that may be back when they enter as freshmen."

Greg Olsen, Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.)
"The unknown or uncharted territory facing the NCAA and MLB to adjust to a spring like this is obviously something we have never been through. With that being said, we are confident in our players and the colleges/universities they chose to attend. As a staff we will do all we can to help prepare our players to step on the field and be ready to compete as a college freshman."

Matt Darr, Regis Jesuit (Aurora, Colo.)
"I think the biggest concern right now for seniors is potentially not being able to play in their final season, especially for a team like ours with high expectations."