With everything around the country being put on hold due to COVID-19, the Maine Principals' Association has made the decision to delay the spring sports season in Maine which was slated to begin on March 23rd for baseball/softball, and the following week by track, tennis & lacrosse to April 27th. The April 27th start date would be for practices and comes one week after the April vacation week.
In a email this morning MPA executive director Holly Couturier said the following.
As you all know, implications from the Corona Virus have hit Maine. This being said, we have been in contact with the Maine CDC, DOE, Governor's office, and other health agencies in regards to the best way to provide services that people need while keeping them safe.
Yesterday, Governor Mills had a press conference stating that they are encouraging "Social Distancing." By her definition, "social distancing" means groups of 250 or more people attending non-essential events should be delayed or postponed.
Because of this, the MPA Board of Directors and Interscholastic Management Committee voted today, March 13, 2020 to delay the start of the 2020 Spring sports pre-season practice until April 27, 2020. We will continue to monitor the situation and will make the appropriate changes as needed to ensure the safety of all students.
So far the New Balance Nationals were canceled on early Thursday morning effecting the participation of several of the states top track and field athletes. Also due to health concerns with COVID-19, the Southern Maine Middle School indoor track league has been canceled for the season. Several collegiate track and field athletes with Maine ties, and colleges from Maine were scheduled to compete in the NCAA Indoor National Championships starting today but the NCAA shut down everything on Thursday afternoon hours before competition was scheduled to start.
The spring sports season first competition was April 16th, obviously with the start date push back to April 27th league schedules will have to change to accommodate the delay. The state championship meets for Class A, B, & C were scheduled to take place on June 6th. We will bring you any updates when they become available.