Published April 3, 2020

THE MHS girls’ lacrosse team is anxious to return to the field, like many local teams. (file photo)

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MIAA has now adjusted its school calendar to align with the return to school date mandated last week by Governor Charlie Baker, which is May 4, 2020. On Monday, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association voted for a May 4 start to the season to be concluded (with playoffs) on June 27. This is the best-case scenario in a rapidly changing situation that could see Massachusetts high school sports delayed furthermore. Previously, the spring season was expected to begin on April 27 (per ruling by the MIAA) but with schools closed until May 4, the organization adjusted that date in a conference call on Monday, March 30 (see accompanying story).

So, at press time, this is the situation that the MIAA has laid out for the spring season, and while it might not be set in stone, it’s at least a beacon of hope for student-athletes. Right now, hundreds of Melrose High spring athletes representing baseball, softball, tennis, lacrosse and track and field are waiting to get their feet on the grass. Some with high hopes and goals (particularly upperclassmen with college recruitment in mind.) Let’s face it, these are years they can’t get back. Will the season happen? One can only root for the MIAA’s best-case scenario in this unprecedented situation.

Melrose High girl’s varsity lacrosse coach Matt Galusi, like everyone, is trying to adjust to this new world. “I’m almost at a loss of words at what this means for these kids,” he says. “I feel terrible for the seniors, they want so much to play, this is it for them. But I think of the underclassmen too. You only get this academic year once. There are some kids in this school where athletics is their only thing. I worry about them, too.”

Still, he returns with a great group of senior leaders including Emma Randolph, Jenna Thorpe and Marie Maher, along with senior standouts Katie Wright and Jess Glenn. No matter what the season situation, these girls will be ready to lead. “I’ve been quite fortunate to have such an incredible group of leaders,” he says. “The quality of girls in this program remains to be exceptional.”

SENIOR CAPTAIN Brandon McSorley will lead the Red Raiders on the mound, hopefully on May 4. (file photo)

Melrose High baseball coach Scott Searles, like any coach, is glad to see an avenue cleared through the MIAA, though the forecast remains cloudy. “It’s the third time they’ve pushed the start date back, so in many ways, it’s hard to be optimistic,” he said. “There are so many moving parts. We were raring to go as a team in February, even January, and by March we were about to have tryouts, and then to run into a wall was stunning. I never thought something like this could happen. Let’s just hope May proves a better month than April.”

Teams have seven days from the start of school and tryouts (May 4) to the first competition (about May 11.) How realistic is it when a pitcher can’t practice anywhere but his backyard with a parent or sibling, and a baseball hitter has no access to cages or parks to practice at? Expect rust. These thoughts are not lost on Coach Searles. “It’s impossible to predict,” he says. “Of course, our kids are preparing the best way they know how. But, they could be rusty and have no choice but to be ready quick the minute May 4 happens. Tryouts will be rushed. We still don’t know our schedule for the season.”

One should assume it will be reduced to anywhere from 8-12 games, per MIAA ruling. Normally, the team might play anywhere from 16-18 games, not including scrimmages. Regardless, this Melrose baseball team (a playoff staple in recent years) will be captained by seniors Brandon McSorley, Cam Gorman, Cole Lepler and Matt Morrisey. According to coach Searles, this group is up to the task. “These four will be ready to go no matter what, and that is of great solace. Last year, as a new coach, I had to review 50-60 unknown players at tryouts, knowing not a soul. So, it’s nice to have these guys in our corner. It’s really hard that Pine Bank is shut down for them to play on—these kids have very little room for preparation. But, we will have to do our best. We’re trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Coach Galusi signals the uphill battle these athletes will face when (and if) they return May 4. Like many, he can only guess what it might look like. “Limited tryouts. An overall quick season. Maybe one that just involves Freedom League play? Perhaps, playoffs if we are lucky? We don’t know yet.”

And if they don’t return?

Says Galusi, “Worst-case scenario and the kids don’t go back—in many ways it becomes a lost year. You have to think of the social and emotional implications. Kids like and require routine. I worry about the long term affect it has mentally. There’s a ripple effect for a lost year like this. In sports, let’s say an entire freshman year is wiped out—you return as a sophomore with no experience. But, as I said before, it goes beyond sports. It’s just as big a blow academically. This is the stuff I worry about as a teacher. The kids’ well-being is always first and foremost.”