F. Brian Ferguson/HD Media Hurricane's Caiti Mathes is West Virginia high school softball co-player of the year for 2019, as voted by the West Virginia Sports Writers Ƶsociation, sharing the honor with Herbert Hoover pitcher Delani Buckner.
Ryan Fischer/The Herald-Dispatch The Hurricane High School baseball team goes up against Parkersburg South in a Class AAA, Region IV tournament game on Monday, May 20, 2019, in Hurricane.
F. Brian Ferguson/HD Media Hurricane's Caiti Mathes is West Virginia high school softball co-player of the year for 2019, as voted by the West Virginia Sports Writers Ƶsociation, sharing the honor with Herbert Hoover pitcher Delani Buckner.
Ryan Fischer/The Herald-Dispatch The Hurricane High School baseball team goes up against Parkersburg South in a Class AAA, Region IV tournament game on Monday, May 20, 2019, in Hurricane.
HUNTINGTON Ƶ The cancellation of spring sports wonƵt likely bankrupt local high school athletic programs, but could strain their budgets.
Spring Valley High School Athletic Director Tim George estimated his school would lose about $5,000 in ticket sales if baseball, softball and track are unable to play this season because of fears of spreading COVID-19.
ƵAnd there is a major disruption in fundraisers and the logistics that go along with that,Ƶ George said. ƵSpring sports donƵt typically produce major revenue but there definitely is a loss of money.Ƶ
More than ticket sales make up revenue.
ƵI know our track team has a Krispy Kreme fundraiser and we are going to try to make it work the best we can, but itƵs definitely thrown a wrench in things,Ƶ George said.
Huntington High Athletic Director Bruce Senior said he hopes losses will be minimal and that games eventually will be played.
ƵIƵm still hoping weƵll be able to have some semblance of a season,Ƶ Senior said. ƵThat is my concern at the moment. We want to get games in for the kids and the community. The sooner we can get back to normal, the better for the mindset of the kids and the community.Ƶ
Cabell Midland Athletic Director and track coach Chris Parsons said athletic budgets will take a hit, but that the virus hit spring sports rather than fall lessens the blow.
ƵWe have two track invitationals, one high school and one middle school, that are money makers,Ƶ Parsons said. ƵItƵs not like cross country where itƵs a big, massive amount. ItƵs not like losing football season or some other seasons in the fall that would have hit much harder.Ƶ
Fairland Athletic Director Jeff Gorby said the program makes about $800 on invitational track meets, $400 on quad meets and $150 to $200 on baseball and softball games.
ƵIt depends on who we play and the weather,Ƶ Gorby said.
More than just the teams are affected. Those associated with games and meets also are taking a financial hit.
ƵThe umpires arenƵt getting paid and parents have invested a lot of money on equipment and clothing for individual sports,Ƶ George said.
Parsons said the coronavirus crisisƵ tentacles reach many places.
ƵItƵs a whole snowball effect on everything,Ƶ Parsons said. ƵIt changes everyoneƵs lifestyle right now. The biggest thing for us to do right now is to make responsible decisions.Ƶ
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