My son ('26) plays for a large Club in Western NY and I have been reading this thread and enjoying the banter. The one thing that I keep coming back to is look at the precautions the professional sports leagues are taking to get back to playing ( Quarantine periods, periodic testing, no fans, etc. ) and think to myself what politician is going to say "Yep, all clear, go ahead and have your YOUTH lacrosse tournament". Regardless if the threat of infection is real or a political football, what is the incentive for the people in power to "let them play".
WNY has been virtually unscathed during this pandemic (unlike NYC metro area) and I can't imagine my local politicians allowing us to have a regular, full contact practice this summer much less a tournament. Once Phase 4 rolls out we can get together and run drills but contact? Yeah I am not seeing it.
I want to be wrong but I fear I am not. I would love to have someone explain to me the benefit of a town, county, state allowing for a lacrosse tournament this summer?
Can't wait for the responses...
The justification for limiting/cancelling professional sports is that packing stadiums (especially indoor facilities) creates a risk of transmission among the packed in fans. Your average outdoor summer lacrosse tournament doesn't create nearly the same risk. On the contrary, best science at this point suggests such outdoor exposure is VERY low risk. Weighed against the undisputed benefits of getting the kids exercise, getting the kids and parents sun (Vitamin D) and general benefits of social interaction, youth tournaments should proceed. Some basic precautions can be taken, but there is very little justification for blanket bans.
