Abner Benched

Back in the day, baseball was different.

We  played Little League..and our parents never screamed anything but encouragement.

This week’s announcement by Illinois’ Governor that he was banning summer baseball and softball for kids will be more detrimental than it would have been in my generation.

At yesterday’s press conference, Governor Pritzker tried to walk back the controversy. Maybe because of the blowback. Tuesday, he was emphatic. When he was asked about the edict yesterday, he said he was rigid, yet flexible.

Let me quote him….”we are certainly working with IDPH to make sure that summer sports…to the extent we can do it with 10 or fewer people…we want to make that happen.”

OK, Governor, I know you probably didn’t play much Little League. Let me explain. There are nine on a team in baseball. Throw in a coach and you’ve got one team. Double that and you have a game. Your answer makes this as clear as mud.

Here, in Fairfield, the news came swiftly after the Governor’s decision. All baseball and softball leagues were cancelled..

I don’t see the risk. Unlike a nursing home, kids who get COVID-19 have typically been asymptomatic and unaffected…or mildly affected by the virus.

Make parents social distance at the games. And, to make this a win-win….

….make them shut up.