Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said that summer athletic seasons may be conducted for high school baseball and softball following a two-month activities suspension due to COVID-19.
The announcement approved the reopening of school facilities and the start of practices for Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and Iowa High School Athletic Association sanctioned summer sports starting on June 1, with games allowed to start on June 15.
Both groups met after the announcement and voted to approve resuming the 2020 summer seasons under Iowa Department of Education guidelines.
The original first practice dates were May 4 for softball and May 18 for baseball.
The IGHSAU and IHSAA plan to issue further sport-specific guidance and FAQ lists early next week.
Both organizations currently plan to conduct their state tournaments at their previously announced venues, with IGHSAU softball at Harlan Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge and IHSAA baseball at Principal Park in Des Moines.
Per guidance from the Iowa Department of Education, coach-athlete contact for all in-person, out-of-season sports is suspended until July 1.
Photo courtesy of the Iowa High School Athletic Association