Section II announces timeline for condensed seasons

PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter R. Barber

Schalmont's Payton Graber takes a shot while being blocked by Mohonasen's Megan Hart during a game Feb. 4, 2020.

Following Friday’s announcement that competition in “high” risk sports will be permitted in New York state beginning Feb. 1, pending approval of local health authorities, Section II on Tuesday announced the timeline for its condensed winter, fall II and spring sports seasons.

The winter sports season now has an end date of March 13, pushed back from the original end date of Feb. 28. The fall II season, consisting of sports postponed during the original fall season, will run March 7 through May 1. The spring season will run May 3 through June 25, though baseball will begin earlier on April 28 due to the requirement of 10 practices to begin play.

The section also announced it was taking a “slightly more restrictive approach” to state Department of Health guidelines on wearing facemasks. State guidance states, “individuals must wear acceptable face coverings, unless players are unable to tolerate a face covering for the physical activity (e.g. practicing, playing); provided, however, that coaches, trainers, and other individuals who are not directly engaged in physical activity are required to wear a face covering,” while Section II is requiring that as proof of being “unable to tolerate a face covering,” the home school district must obtain and document in the student-athlete’s medical record a physician’s statement to the matter.

Per state guidance, Section II is also limiting competition to within the league and section, or contiguous region or section. Schools should not traveling to or hosting teams from out-of-state, nor participating in events where out-of-state athletes are participating.