Anonymous wrote:
AAU players are a very small number of kids compared to the kids who participate in community rec leagues and leagues like FYCBL. FYCBL had about 25% of their normal number of teams. Our rec league had a handful of teams per age. Even the little kids had to play in masks because FCPS didn't want to allow community use. Most people sat the basketball season out. I really hope it is back to normal this year.

The people sitting out, is because of fear of covid, as well as not liking the restrictions. Two different groups, and the league can't really cater to both, and kind of ends up losing both.

Anonymous wrote:AAU teams practiced and played last Fall, Winter and Spring seasons--leagues and tournaments in private gyms. Some did not allow spectators. Sure, it cost more and harder to get practice space but many AAU teams continued with little impact. Some parents pulled their kids off the team but there were plenty waiting to back fill.

AAU players are a very small number of kids compared to the kids who participate in community rec leagues and leagues like FYCBL. FYCBL had about 25% of their normal number of teams. Our rec league had a handful of teams per age. Even the little kids had to play in masks because FCPS didn't want to allow community use. Most people sat the basketball season out. I really hope it is back to normal this year.

AAU teams practiced and played last Fall, Winter and Spring seasons--leagues and tournaments in private gyms. Some did not allow spectators. Sure, it cost more and harder to get practice space but many AAU teams continued with little impact. Some parents pulled their kids off the team but there were plenty waiting to back fill.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Are you talking about Fairfax NCS when you say parks and rec? Outdoor spectators haven’t been required to wear masks since last spring. What county is requiring outdoor masks?

Loudoun required in fall and the first half of spring. If Fairfax was requiring as well for outdoor, then I think they might require them again due to changing circumstances.

Fairfax never required mask for outdoors sports players. They didn't require masks this summer for anyone (indoor players or spectators).

Anonymous wrote:
Are you talking about Fairfax NCS when you say parks and rec? Outdoor spectators haven’t been required to wear masks since last spring. What county is requiring outdoor masks?

Loudoun required in fall and the first half of spring. If Fairfax was requiring as well for outdoor, then I think they might require them again due to changing circumstances.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My boys have played all summer (rec and travel). One league required spectators to wear masks, one did not. The players obviously did not have to wear masks. I don't see why the winter would be any different. I think requiring masks for spectators is a good idea--it makes it safer for the players to play without masks.

Why have spectators?

Why not, if they are wearing masks?

Agree. It was so nice for the kids to be able to play and breathe this summer for indoor basketball. I would rather spectators wear ten masks each then force the kids back into masks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My boys have played all summer (rec and travel). One league required spectators to wear masks, one did not. The players obviously did not have to wear masks. I don't see why the winter would be any different. I think requiring masks for spectators is a good idea--it makes it safer for the players to play without masks.

That is not obvious. Parks and Rec required it for players while playing last winter.

Yes? But last winter there were no vaccines and cases were much higher, and schools were closed. Completely different situation.

They seem to be returning to previous policies with delta. Parks and Rec has been extreme, requiring even outdoor spectators to wear masks, and players too when going to and from the field.

I do not think it is obvious players will be playing without masks.

Are you talking about Fairfax NCS when you say parks and rec? Outdoor spectators haven’t been required to wear masks since last spring. What county is requiring outdoor masks?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My boys have played all summer (rec and travel). One league required spectators to wear masks, one did not. The players obviously did not have to wear masks. I don't see why the winter would be any different. I think requiring masks for spectators is a good idea--it makes it safer for the players to play without masks.

Why have spectators?

Why not, if they are wearing masks?

Anonymous wrote:My boys have played all summer (rec and travel). One league required spectators to wear masks, one did not. The players obviously did not have to wear masks. I don't see why the winter would be any different. I think requiring masks for spectators is a good idea--it makes it safer for the players to play without masks.

Why have spectators?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My boys have played all summer (rec and travel). One league required spectators to wear masks, one did not. The players obviously did not have to wear masks. I don't see why the winter would be any different. I think requiring masks for spectators is a good idea--it makes it safer for the players to play without masks.

That is not obvious. Parks and Rec required it for players while playing last winter.

Yes? But last winter there were no vaccines and cases were much higher, and schools were closed. Completely different situation.

They seem to be returning to previous policies with delta. Parks and Rec has been extreme, requiring even outdoor spectators to wear masks, and players too when going to and from the field.

I do not think it is obvious players will be playing without masks.

My kids were thrilled that they didn’t have to play in masks this summer. The masks were completely pointless last winter given that kids were just wearing the lightest they could find and mostly had them pulled up or down.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My boys have played all summer (rec and travel). One league required spectators to wear masks, one did not. The players obviously did not have to wear masks. I don't see why the winter would be any different. I think requiring masks for spectators is a good idea--it makes it safer for the players to play without masks.

That is not obvious. Parks and Rec required it for players while playing last winter.

Yes? But last winter there were no vaccines and cases were much higher, and schools were closed. Completely different situation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sports are back and going to stay. This may mean some no longer play certain sports. We won’t let DD play indoor basketball this winter if she’s not vaccinated. After skipping last year, her AAU days are likely over. She’s young but will have lost skill and will likely loose interest. This means more spots will open for others too.

Exactly what we don’t want. Even if you’re kid couldn’t get on the floor except for garbage time, practice would be better for her presence. This is where scrubs can really hurt the stars’ development, if they can’t give a good look.

She could, but she doesn’t want to and we can already see her interest waning as she is focusing on her other outdoor sports. DH and I are glad she’s active and trying not to be crazy parents where we continue to push a sport she doesn’t want to do. It is a little conflicted for us, because if we let her play last year we don’t know if she would still love it. But we didn’t and now we are here.

Anonymous wrote:Sports are back and going to stay. This may mean some no longer play certain sports. We won’t let DD play indoor basketball this winter if she’s not vaccinated. After skipping last year, her AAU days are likely over. She’s young but will have lost skill and will likely loose interest. This means more spots will open for others too.

Exactly what we don’t want. Even if you’re kid couldn’t get on the floor except for garbage time, practice would be better for her presence. This is where scrubs can really hurt the stars’ development, if they can’t give a good look.

It would be important for the leagues to make statements about COVID policies in advance, including offering refunds if the policies change. Putting pressure on facilities and county governments would help. The leagues risk bankruptcy because right now a lot of people aren't going to take a chance of having to play with masks or no spectators again.
Even in the spring, a number of leagues were way down in signups, and had to merge grades just to keep playing.