From the Dugout: New Rituals

Oct. 1, 2020

By Terry Hennessy
SSUSA CEO

Returning from the recent World Masters Championships (WMC) last Monday, resulted in a new pandemic ritual for me – and many other players.

Five days of quarantine, then a COVID-19 test, which, thank goodness, was negative.

The quarantine wasn’t bad on my five-acre “mini-farm” in the foothills in Northern California.  At least it hadn’t burned when I was away.

Yes, it has been that kind of year.

Still, we have much for which to be thankful.

Consider that 315 teams and almost 10,000 players, spectators and officials participated in the WMC over the first three sessions and fewer than 20 have so far reported contracting COVID-19.  Only one case has required hospitalization and that player thankfully is being released this week.

We will continue to monitor any players who contract COVID-19 and we will publish the team age, where the team came from, and its skill level so that other teams in the same age/skill level will be aware.  We will continue to strongly recommend that any players in the same age and skill level get tested as soon as possible to stop any potential spread.

We do not publicize the team names or the names of players who have tested positive to protect their privacy, however, we will continue to be as transparent as possible and update any new cases.

Like many of you, I take a chance when I play or go to a tournament. In fact, I’m forcefully reminded of the risks every time from my daughter, who is a nurse practitioner.

The risks are real and we respect those who have decided to sit out the year because of concerns of loved ones who may be at higher risk. 

For those of us who do decide to play, we believe – strongly – that face masks work.

This is not political. 

We simply want to ensure that anyone attending a tournament cuts down on the risk of contracting COVID-19. And that means masks in places where people congregate and it also means moving spectators out of those central areas.

Like all of you, we wish this was over.  Until then, please know that we will do our best to protect those who decide to play.

I look forward to seeing you on the field.

Terry Hennessy is chief executive officer of Senior Softball USA and can be reached at terryh@seniorsoftball.com.