While I know I cannot speak for all of you, I just wanted to say that “I miss it all.” Since the COVID-19 pandemic reaction hit in force in early March, high school sports across our region, our state, and our country, came to a screeching, abrupt halt. And, I miss it all.
For the time being, and for the most part, it has been our spring sport athletes that have been so impacted by the shutdown, especially the seniors for whom there will be no chance to get this season back. I so admire the great majority of them, who have exhibited character and compassion through something that they had no part in bringing on, but that has so impacted what for them is supposed to be such a special time.
Apart from that impact, and the compassion that I feel for them, I will selfishly admit, I miss the games, the matches, the meets, and everything connected to them. I just miss it all.
I miss the thrill of a tie game headed into the 7th inning, and the passion with which those baseball and softball players compete down to the very end. I miss the excitement of a walk-off hit or the thrill of a strikeout to end the game. I Miss it all.
I miss the stroke by stroke action of a well played tennis point, and the athleticism to reach the ball when it appeared it was out of play and the point was about to end. I miss the camaraderie of a doubles match and seeing the joy of a difficult point won. I miss it all.
I miss seeing young athletes give it all they have on the track, pushing with all they can muster to improve on a previous time or distance. I miss seeing the pure joy in achieving just that result. I just miss it all.
I miss the atmosphere of being out at athletic events across the area. The smell of cut grass, the feel of the breeze blowing across the field of competition, and the sound of cheering from the stands. I just miss it all.
And, most of all to me, I miss all of you. I miss getting to watch and getting to know our young athletes across the area. I want to you know that virtually every young person that I have had the pleasure to interview and to get to know since we have launched YourSportsEdge has been incredible to work with and, in many cases, to get to know more about them, and make a new friend. My heart breaks for so many who are missing what they had looked forward to for so long. I miss it all.
I miss the parents and fans that I have been able to meet and get to know as well. The conversations about sports and the young athletes on the field of competition make each and every day a new experience, and many new friendships have been developed thanks to the opportunities I get to cover your sons, your daughters, your family, and your friends. I miss it all.
I will say there is one thing I do not miss, and something that we should all look at when things come back to normal at some point down the road, and that is behavior at games towards athletes, coaches, and officials. When this is all over, we all need to develop a new appreciation for what we get to be a part of, and remember just how we felt while it was gone.
But all in all, what I get to do now at YourSportsEdge is nothing close to a job, but it is a passion, and I feel beyond fortunate to be a part of it.
And, I just wanted you to know, that I miss it all.
