MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA go dark
By Naila-Jean Meyers njmeyers@startribune.com
The crack of the bat. The swish of the net. The rattle of the boards. "One Shining Moment."
Many of the sounds of spring will be missing for the next few weeks, at least, as we try to slow the spread of COVID-19.
On Thursday, a day after the NBA suspended its season, Major League Baseball, the NHL and MLS followed suit.
College basketball players were pulled off the court at conference tournaments, which were abruptly called off. Then, a few hours later, the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments were gone too.
There will be no college wrestling champions crowned in U.S. Bank Stadium, no hometown triumph for undefeated Gable Steveson. There will be no hockey champions, lacrosse champions, track champions or baseball champions in the NCAA either, as spring sports too were swept up in the abundance of caution. You will not see if the Gophers softball team can return to the Women's College World Series.
You won't hear "Play ball!" at Target Field for a while, with Opening Day pushed back at least two weeks. The Loons, who were to open at home Sunday, won't run onto the pitch at Allianz Field until, perhaps, mid-April. The NWHL will not give out the Isobel Cup on Friday as planned, and the Stanley Cup may be awarded in July.
