Sports will be categorized by risk and levels of play.
On Wednesday afternoon, Gov. JB Pritzker announced the state’s new guidelines for youth sports for the upcoming fall season.
“I know our hearts break when we hear the word ‘restrictions,’ especially when it comes to our children’s love for their sports. Whether this year is their first time on the court or it’s their senior season – this isn’t the news anyone wants to hear,” Pritzker said in a press conference.
“But with rising rates of spread of the virus, with rising positivity rates throughout Illinois and the United States, this is a situation where the toughest choice is also the safest one. Therefore today, my administration is releasing new guidance restricting youth and adult recreational sports in Illinois. We have worked in consultation with the governing bodies of many of these organized sports programs, and collectively we hope that, when metrics and risks improve measurably, we will be able to restart these sports.”
Pritzker announced that sports which do not involve much physical contact or proximity such as baseball and tennis, will be allowed to operate without much limitation. Where as, sports that do involve frequent contact, will be subject to more state restrictions.
All sports will be categorized by three risk levels: low, medium, and high. Low-risk-level sports include baseball, golf, and tennis. Basketball, soccer, and volleyball are considered medium-risk level, where as football, lacrosse, and hockey are classified as high-risk level sports.
Sports will also operate in different levels of play designated in four tiers. Various levels of play will operate within those four tiers.
Tier One: no-contact conditioning, training and practices only.
Tier Two: scrimmages within team permitted; minor will need parental consent.
Tier Three: intra-league, intra-conference, or intra-EMS-region league play permitted; league or state championship games may be held for sports of low risk.
Tier Four: out-of-conference as well as out-of-state games, championships, and tournaments are permitted.
On August 15, low-risk-level sports will be permitted to resume play at Tiers One – Three that includes safety-regulated competitions. Medium-risk-level sports will be able to play at Tiers One and Two. High-risk sports must begin at Tier One.
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[Featured image: @benhershey via Unsplash]