Gov. Baker’s office made a slight amendment to the youth and adult amateur sports activities guidance for Phase 3, Step 1 of the state’s reopening plan on Friday.
Several sports and activities were moved to different risk levels, most notably the sport of soccer. Previously, soccer had been classified as a Higher Risk sport, meaning only Level 1 — individual or socially distanced group activities (no-contact workouts, aerobic conditioning, individual skill work, and drills) — were allowed. On Friday, soccer was upgraded to a Moderate Risk sport, meaning both competitive practices and games are now allowed.
What this means for the fall high school season remains to be seen. The Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) said it would likely released guidance for K-12 sporting activities in early August, and the MIAA has delayed the start of the fall season to Sept. 14 while it awaits further word from state agencies.
With soccer moving to a Moderate Risk sport, all fall high school sports (soccer, field hockey, volleyball, cross country and golf) besides football have been given the OK to play games during the summer months. Football remains a Higher Risk sport, according to the state.
Cross country running was also upgraded from Moderate to Lower Risk on Friday.