Competitive Youth, Club Sports Can Resume As Utah Moves To ‘Yellow’ Phase
May 14, 2020, 10:10 PM | Updated: 10:39 pm
DRAPER, Utah – Youth and club sports leagues will be able to resume competitive games as the state moves into the “yellow,” low-risk phase of the pandemic.
On a Draper field Thursday evening, you could hear one of the sounds of spring.
“It’s so much fun to get back,” said Derek Tate just before taking batting practice.
Tate plays on the Corner Canyon Chargers 13-and-under baseball team based in Draper and Sandy.
Since the coronavirus pandemic has been throwing a perfect game against baseball the past two months, Tate and every other player in Utah haven’t been able to play competitive games.
In fact, he was kind of taking up another sport at home many parents will recognize.
“Fighting my siblings happens a lot,” said Tate with a laugh.
However, when his parents told him on Thursday Utah was moving to the yellow level, it meant competitive baseball games again.
His team practiced at Galena Park to get ready to finally start their season.
Sports facilities have been empty the past two months. But, with @GovHerbert announcing Utah was moving from orange to yellow, that means sports can pick up again. Places like @HerrimanDbat can't wait. Like many businesses, this place was hit hard economically. @KSL5TV at 10. pic.twitter.com/PvJhsgO1JJ
— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) May 15, 2020
“It’s nice to see them out here having a good time,” said Corner Canyon Charger coach Bryan Nordhoff. “It’s been rough. They’ve been begging to play. They asked me all the time, but I’d just keep saying, we’re not supposed to, so we’re not going to.”
For all the familiar spring sounds starting to pick up, though, the silence at sporting facilities has been even louder.
“It hurt bad. When this hit originally in early March. My business dropped probably 70%,” said Michael Maze.
Maze, the owner of D-Bat, a baseball and softball training facility in Herriman, said March and April are his busiest months.
It’s still too cold for teams to practice outside, so they pack his facility to train.
“That’s kind of the last of our two big months,” said Maze.
Maze had to furlough all his workers and close.
However, with Utah going to the yellow level, he’s opening Monday with new safety regulations.
“Make sure they wash their hands before and after and sanitize. If they’re using the machines, I will sanitize the balls before and after,” said Maze. “We’ll regulate everyone to make sure they’re keeping a safe space from each other.”
It was one thing to lose money, but for Maze, it was something else to lose baseball.
“I think I read something yesterday that was like 192 days now without baseball, so, we’re ready,” he said with a laugh.
Gov. Gary Herbert said Thursday’s announcement does not affect sanctioned high school sports sanctioned by the Utah High School Activities Association.
Coronavirus Resources
- Have you or a family member been affected by coronavirus issues in Utah? KSL TV wants to hear from you. Contact KSL by emailing social@ksl.com.
- What is COVID-19? Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Healthy
- What We Know And Don’t Know About The Coronavirus
- Four Common Coronavirus Questions Answered
- The latest coronavirus stories from KSL TV can be found at our Staying Safe: Coronavirus section.
- Your Life Your Health: How can parents prepare their home, children against coronavirus?
How Do I Prevent It?
The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:
- Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
- Avoid touching your face
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
How To Get Help
If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth services through your healthcare providers.
Additional Resources
If you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at consumerprotection@utah.gov.