By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
The MIAA Board of Directors and Tournament Management Committee (TMC) met via conference call on April 6 to discuss the potential structure of spring athletic tournaments.
“The understanding is clear by the association and its members that they will follow the expectations and orders put forth by Governor Baker in relation to COVID-19,” said the MIAA via press release.
A few takeaways from the meeting:
• Golf will have a cutoff and entry due date of June 11 at 8 p.m. for regular season competition. Sectional tournaments may begin on June 15. This motion was approved unanimously at 12-0.
• Track and field will have a cutoff date of June 21 at 6 p.m. and entries must be received by June 22. Sectional meets will be scheduled for June 27 and June 28. The MIAA’s annual Pentathlon be scheduled for June 25. This motion was approved unanimously at 12-0.
• The TMC’s sole concentration will be playing through a sectional tournament only. This motion was approved, 16-1.
• Baseball, softball and lacrosse will have a cut-off date of June 12 at 7 p.m. Seeding announcements will be made on June 13. Tournaments will begin the week of June 15 and conclude on June 27, with a rain date of June 28. This motion was approved unanimously at 16-0.
• The Division 1A baseball tournament (“Super Eight”) will not occur. This motion was approved unanimously at 16-0.
• All tournament qualifying rules, such as the Sullivan Rule (teams that play in leagues with higher division schools can still qualify for postseason play by going at least .500 against their division), will remain the same. This motion was approved unanimously at 16-0.
• Due to daily adaptations to state issued guidelines and recommendations, the tournament committee did not choose to establish a cutoff date at which spring tournaments would not be conducted. This topic will be reviewed again at the next TMC meeting on April 16.
“There is still hope that schools will go back into session on May 4,” said the MIAA in its press release. “However, with new challenges becoming evident daily, the fluidity of this pandemic continues to be evident. The personal safety and well-being of the MIAA family and community is paramount. Thank you all for your efforts to support social distancing in an effort to slow the curve. Together we will make a difference.”
For funny and incisive sports analysis as well as game highlights, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter and Instagram @flano0.
