Pat Harty

Your Prep Sports 

IOWA CITY – I believe it was late March, or early April, when a trip to the grocery store left a lasting impression.

The highly contagious Coronavirus was spreading and sports at all levels was at a standstill, shutdown like no other time in history.

I was in the checkout line when I realized that my cashier was Ella Cook, a multi-sport standout from City High.

It took a few seconds, and some squinting behind my fog-upped glasses to see that it was Ella because we both were wearing masks.

We made small talk, and I remember bringing up softball because Ella is part of a powerful City High softball program, and because the high school softball season was approaching, but in danger of being cancelled due to the virus.

“I just hope we have a season,” Ella said.

Hope has since turned into reality, but reality is now wrapped in the new normal, and with the new normal comes paranoia, uncertainty and fear.

The virus is on the rise in more than 30 states, and it only takes one positive test to bring a high school sports season to a screeching halt.

It already has happened to some teams in our area, including the Liberty High sophomore baseball team.

Cedar Falls High School also suspended both its baseball and softball seasons after a player from each team tested positive for Covid-19.

So you savor every at bat, every inning, every practice and every post-game team meeting and bus trip knowing that it could be your last.

You live in the moment because the moment is all you have in this new normal where circumstances are so fluid.

And you compete because even the virus can’t infect the spirit of competition.

The City High softball team is in the midst of a glorious run, from rags to riches in less than four years, and this season is a chance for Cook and her cohorts to take that next step, which is to win a Class 5A state title.

But the challenge this summer goes beyond just trying to win a state title.

It’s also about staying safe and being responsible.

“They’re doing all the stuff they can because they realize it’ll just take one thing happening not in our favor and this thing could be shut down,” said City High coach Jeff Koenig. “So yeah, I don’t think they’re like pressing. But I think they realize we’ve got a gift here and we’d better do as much and as long as we can with this gift.”

Many of the high schools that host baseball and softball games are practicing social distancing and encouraging those who attend games to wear masks.

Concession stands are closed and many schools also have closed the seating areas behind home plate.

And you have members of the media wearing masks while conducting post-game interviews.

“It’s crazy,” said Liberty High softball star Brylee Klosterman. “The new normal, it’s just weird.”

Liberty High baseball coach Tom Cronk had just watched his team defeat City High for the first time ever in June, and while he was excited about the signature win, Cronk was just happy to be coaching the game he loves.

“We’re lucky in that the state is letting us play,” Cronk said. “There are a lot of states that aren’t getting that chance. And we just feel extremely lucky.”

Part of the challenge for the players, and for the coaches, is to not become complacent because the virus is always lurking.

They also take nothing for granted because every team is vulnerable.

“We want to play in the moment and just take advantage of every minute we’re out here, and just be grateful for every game we get to play,” said City High High all-state softball player Ayana Lindsey. “We’re just so fortunate to be able to play the game we love.”