Spring sports in jeopardy across Minnesota

In a time that normally sees grass turning green and children hitting the field, parks are empty.

For now, the Minnesota State High School League says there is no firm deadline on when sports could resume. 

"If we start within a couple weeks of that May 5 timeframe, we may have a chance to possibly put some programs together," said Erich Martens, executive director of the Minnesota State High School League. 

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Martens went on to say that if sports do resume, they might look very different, with possibly no fans in the stands, and a live stream in their place.

Young athletes are also affected by the pandemic. 

"It impacts everyone obviously," said Dawson Blanck, the head of Minnesota Youth Athletics Services (MYAS) which serves 150,000 young athletes. "The kids want to play and the parents want to see their kids participate."

MYAS has canceled many tournaments already, impacting more than a thousand teams, and has delayed the start of other activities, like baseball.

Blanck hopes when play returns, organizations like MYAS, and others, can work together to make sports better for all athletes.

"Ultimately, we are trying to improve the delivery of sports services throughout the state," he said.