- Final health wrap-up, glad to get to vote early, new job going well (10/13/20)
- The COVID battle continues in our house; four-car pileup in a drive-thru (10/2/20)
- LIVIN’ THE COVID LIFE: The Aftermath (9/23/20)
- LIVIN' THE COVID LIFE: DAYS 7-9 (Monday-Wednesday, Sept. 14-16) (9/16/20)
- LIVIN' THE COVID LIFE: DAY 6 (Sunday, September 13) (9/14/20)
- LIVIN' THE COVID LIFE: Day 5 (Saturday, Sept. 12) (9/13/20)
- LIVIN' THE COVID LIFE: DAY 4 (Friday, September 11) (9/12/20)
Staying in touch
Joey Bennett is the newly-appointed editor of the Brazil Times. He was the sports editor of the Greencastle Banner Graphic from April 2016 to October 2020, and was previously the sports editor of the Greensburg Daily News from 1984 to 1988. He also worked for more than 20 years at the Terre Haute Tribune-Star. He also taught high school and middle school English for 14.5 years.
Updating potential re-opening dates for various sports
Posted Monday, June 1, 2020, at 5:12 PM
To be honest, not a lot has changed lately in terms of the status of re-opening various sports. That's not necessarily a bad thing, yet, but most organizations -- as they should -- are moving forward as if things will resume at some point. Obviously, a distinct change in COVID-19 numbers (aka the "second wave") could change any of these working plans.
- Indiana high school fall sports -- Nothing has changed in terms of the July 1 date for facilities to re-open. Some sports, such as cross country, have already started workouts not involving facilities.
- Major League Baseball -- This drama has played out pathetically, with the issues holding up a return to action having nothing to do with COVID-19, high fives, spitting of sunflower seeds or anything related to the original reason for the stoppage. Both sides are jockeying with finances, with players wanting to be paid the same amount as their contracts for a shorter season and owners being accused of trying to short-change the players despite having record revenue last year. Both sides are also trying to insert rule changes they wouldn't normally attempt until the next collective bargaining session, but (like politicians with stimulus relief bills) they are just using the situation to better themselves. This has been a sad thing to watch, and the real losers are the true baseball fans.
- Here is an Associated Press report from Monday providing a little optimism:
- Major League Baseball players ignored claims by clubs that they need to take additional pay cuts, instead proposing they receive a far higher percentage of salaries and commit to a longer schedule as part of a counteroffer to start the coronavirus-delayed season.
- Here is an Associated Press report from Monday providing a little optimism:
- NFL football -- This league is run a little differently than the others in terms of finances, with 90 percent of its revenue coming from television contracts. Of all the professional sports leagues, this one seems most likely to have games this season -- even if the stands are empty.
- NBA basketball -- This league is trying to resurrect itself, with current plans to not complete the regular season (that was about 80 percent done any way) and have an expanded playoff system. All teams, according to current thinking, will be sent to the same site in Orlando to knock out a playoff schedule similar to the former AAU days of the players involved. No fans likely in attendance.
- NASCAR -- This organization has quietly and without fanfare run several races with no fans in the stands, and has been applauded by several health organizations for its safety precautions in relation to drivers and other crew members.
- College football -- This one will be unlike any other in terms of format. Some teams will likely play their whole regular schedule, while others may only play conference games after delaying their startup longer than others. Fans in the stands are needed here for schools to try to create as much revenue as possible, to help subsidize the "non-revenue" sports as in the past. Some schools with stadiums that hold tens of thousands of people are trying to create plans where only season ticket holders (and likely big donors) are allowed into the games with social distancing.
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