Saturday's steady rain got me thinking. Are we ready for high school events played on Sundays?
Posted: Saturday, May 10, 2008 7:00 pm
Saturday’s steady rain got me thinking. Are we ready for high school events played on Sundays?
The state baseball tournament got only one game in the books before another day of spring showers washed out the rest of Saturday’s action. All of the other first-round games were pushed back to Monday.
Next year, the NSAA will have the authority to reschedule tournament games for Sundays. I’m certain officials will be cautious in doing so, but you could argue that there were extenuating circumstances surrounding this year’s baseball event that would have prompted at least a thought of playing games today.
For one, Saturday’s postponement makes it difficult to get the championship games played before the Lincoln Saltdogs return to Haymarket Park next weekend.
The so-called “Sunday option” came about after the 2007 girls state basketball tournament, when first-round games went on as scheduled while blizzard conditions made it difficult for teams to reach Lincoln. At the time, postponing games would have required holding teams over to Monday.
The “Sunday option” applies to not just basketball but all sports, allowing state track events disrupted by thunderstorms to be completed on Sunday, for example.
Youth sports are a staple on the Sunday calendars for many families, but until now, the day has always been off-limits for high school teams. It will be interesting to see when, if ever, the “Sunday option” comes into play.
And, as importantly, how the public receives it.
Dedicated in every way
A footnote to last week’s column on Nebraska’s trying softball season:
Rhonda Revelle said that her decision to step away from administrative responsibilities and focus 100 percent on coaching the softball team was an easy one. But if you know Revelle at all, you understand how difficult it had to be for her to walk away from the duties that Barbara Hibner so masterfully handled for many years.
Hibner was Revelle’s mentor and it was her blessing that mattered most when Revelle decided to succeed her as senior women’s administrator. And as Hibner was fighting cancer, it was Revelle who was so often at her side.
I can’t imagine the hours Revelle devoted to coaching her team, fulfilling obligations within the athletic department and caring for Hibner during that time. Clearly, it took a toll. But it’s that dedication – and an amazing run in this weekend’s Big 12 Tournament — that instills confidence that Revelle can turn things around.
Heading for home
* Former Husker Jed Morris continues his comeback after being diagnosed with leukemia in 2006. Morris was named offensive player of the week in the California League after putting together three multi-hit games and bashing four home runs for the Class A Stockton Ports. Morris had a 16-game hitting streak earlier this season.
* Finally, if you’re inclined to watch every minute of an Orlando-Detroit NBA playoff game, we want to hear from you. The Journal Star sports department is on the lookout for passionate NBA fans in Lincoln and the surrounding area.
If you fill the bill, shoot an e-mail to the address below.
Reach Todd Henrichs at 473-7320 or thenrichs@journalstar.com.