As the spread of infections with the novel coronavirus has yet to be completely controlled, a decision was made likely out of consideration for the safety of high school baseball players.
The Japan High School Baseball Federation has decided to cancel the National High School Baseball Championship, which had been scheduled to be held at Koshien Stadium in August. This is the first cancellation of the "Summer Koshien" since the end of World War II.
It is difficult to completely eliminate the risk of infection in regional tournaments, which would be held at about 250 stadiums across the country ahead of the national tournament. There is also some worry about injuries after the prolonged school closures and halt of extracurricular activities.
Representing schools gather from all over the nation and return to their hometowns after staying in groups. Should there be an infection at the national tournament, there will be some risk of the infection spreading in regional areas. In addition, there is concern about obstacles to school work because many high schools plan to hold classes in July and August to catch up on studies.
The cancellation of this summer's national championship can be said to have been an unavoidable choice.
Sports events for high school students that were forced to cancel are not limited to baseball. Besides judo and kendo tournaments, the national high school championships, known as inter-high athletics meets, regarded as a gateway for top athletes, were also cancelled.
High school students have repetitively undergone rigorous training and endured a life of self-restraint. It is more than understandable the regret they have as the path to their dream performance has been closed off. Although they may be very disappointed, hopefully, they believe that all their prior efforts certainly will come to fruition in the future.
"The reason you felt despair or a sense of emptiness when your dreams or goals were gone is because you were really serious about them."
Track and field athlete Shingo Suetsugu, who competed in three consecutive Olympics, said in his message to high school athletes.
In response to the cancellation of the inter-high competitions, the All Japan High School Athletic Federation will initiate an effort to support students, an attempt to distribute online classes in which former soccer or volleyball national team members and other athletes share their experiences.
Among students, some will leave their competitive career after high school. It is advisable to consider creating an opportunity for them to demonstrate the fruits of their efforts to the extent possible.
In Tottori Prefecture, tournaments as a substitute to the baseball and inter-high competitions will be held in the summer. Some games will be broadcast online. Saga Prefecture is aiming to hold in June many competitions that were planned for the prefectural inter-high competitions.
Needless to say, it is indispensable to take measures to prevent infection in order to hold the events. Currently, in many competitions, guiding principles for infection prevention have not been issued. It is needed to compile guidelines for sports associations as a reference in this regard.
It is desirable to consider implementing alternative measures while carefully examining the nature of each competition and how much the infection situation is controlled in regional areas.
-- This article appeared in the print version of The Yomiuri Shimbun on May 24, 2020.
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