A 20-game schedule will be more like a dozen
Published April 17, 2020
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—With schools tentatively scheduled to re-open on May 4 (in light of the COVID-19 pandemic) one of the biggest questions is what kind of schedule that student-athletes can expect if they are allowed to participate in high school sports this spring.
So, should the schools open on May 4, what will a varsity sport look like?
According to Melrose Athletic Director Steve Fogarty, discussions have been ongoing among Middlesex League athletic directors and other officials. He spoke to the Melrose Weekly News about what could be expected.
“The Governor is expected to make an announcement about the school (if we return or not) either this week or next week. If we do not return, there will not be a spring season,” he says.
That’s the worst-case scenario and no doubt a blow to spring athletes (particularly upperclassmen). Should schools open on the targetted May 4 deadline, practices will commence immediately. Fogarty confirms, “If we return to school as scheduled on 5/4, practice will begin on that date with the first contests starting on 5/11.”
A normal 16-18 game schedule for some teams will obviously be restructured to look much different. Says the AD, “We will play all schools in the ML12 once, then be paired up for the last contest with an appropriately matched team for the 12th game. The regular season will end on 6/12, with sectional playoffs starting on 6/15. Track would compete against each Freedom school once.”
So, here is a look at the original spring schedule of the MHS Red Raider’s baseball team, who had about 20 contests on the docket:
Slated schedule:
Swampscott, Arlington, Belmont, Stoneham, Watertown, Wakefield, Burlington, Reading, Wilmington, Winchester, Lexington, Stoneham, Watertown, Wakefield, Burlington, Wilmington, Austin Prep, Cambridge Rindge and Latin, Woburn.
More Realistic Schedule
Arlington, Belmont, Stoneham, Watertown, Wakefield, Burlington, Reading, Wilmington, Lexington, Woburn, Winchester and *1 nonleague.
Fans should expect Melrose High School teams to be able to play 3-4 games per week which will allow a dozen contests prior to the cutoff date of June 12.
Track and Field will be expected to only compete against Freedom League rivals (Stoneham, Wilmington, Wakefield, Burlington and Watertown).