When people think of school being affected by COVID-19, many forget that this includes school sports teams and after-school activities as well.  Although their season ended not far after tryouts last year, the girls’ softball team was able to start up again this year with new protocols to ensure players’ health and safety.  Today, Maddie Slavin, a 10th grader on Abington’s JV Softball team, was interviewed about some of the new guidelines and the team’s season so far. 

Q: What is the team’s current record? 

A: “Currently, the junior varsity team has had 1 win and 2 losses.”

Q: What’s a typical practice or game like? What do you have to do differently because of the pandemic?

A: “A typical day at practice is arriving 10 minutes early, so we can get our temperatures taken and recorded on our health screening sheet. Masks are required at all times this year, and we have sanitizing equipment available any time we are together. We then set everything up, stretch, throw, and then we focus on a variety of things depending on the day such as situational practice, scrimmages, or batting practice.”

Q: Since you’ve played on other school teams this year, do you think the safety procedures are helpful and effective?

A: “I think the athletic safety procedures are going well. Mask wearing has been implemented, and we get a COVID test every week at the school. Overall, I think they are keeping us and the other teams very safe.”

Q: What’s been your favorite moment of the season so far? Why?

A: “We’re pretty early in the season, but so far my favorite memory has been working hard at practice and having fun with my teammates. I’ve missed being on a team full of players who enjoy the same sports as I do, and I’ve been able to make new friends through softball.”

Q: What do you think is the team’s biggest accomplishment for this year, so far?

A: “Like I said before, we are super early into our season, but I think our biggest accomplishment so far is how far we’ve come from our first scrimmage. I feel like every day the team gets better during practice, and I look forward to spending the rest of the season with them.”