Adams County limits fans at sporting events

Sporting events at Adams County schools will look a bit different this fall.

Few fans will be in the stands, and even then, they will only be allowed for the home team.

In conjunction with Adams County Health Department, athletics directors at Adams Central, Bellmont and South Adams schools announced Monday that spectators for fall sporting events at Adams County schools will be limited.

“While we would love to have packed stands as in the past, due to current conditions a decision has been made by the Adams County Health Department that for the 2020 fall high school and middle school sports season Adams County schools will not have fans in attendance,” South Adams athletics director Jason Arnold said in a statement Monday afternoon.

The statement also said, in accordance with Adams County Health Officer Dr. Michael Ainsworth, it was decided senior athletes will be permitted to have four parents or adult family members in attendance.

In a statement by Ainsworth also released Monday, it was stated “no fans from visiting schools will be permitted with the exception of games played within our county … This decision was made because Adams County has one of the lowest (COVID-19) infection rates in the area and this will permit unchecked fans from other schools coming into our community.”

Arnold spoke to The Commercial Review this morning and said the initial discussion with Ainsworth, Adams Central AD Graham McCallister and Bellmont AD Dale Manis included starting sporting events without fans, but evolved into only allowing seniors to have family members attend because it would be the last chance to see them play in person.

“That was a compromise (Ainsworth) thought would be a good compromise,” Arnold said.

While it’s not ideal, Arnold said it still allows sports to carry on.

“Game is going to be different without fans, but at least (the student athletes) are given an opportunity to play,” he said.

Ainsworth’s statement said the plan can be amended at any point, either in eliminating fans altogether if the infection rate increases or lifting restrictions should the rate decline.

“Remember, the most important thing is that the kids get to participate,” the statement said.

Jay County High School will have a half dozen sporting events this fall at Adams County schools and Patriot fans will not be allowed to attend those contests.

Affected games are as follows:

•Football — Sept. 11 at Adams Central

•Boys soccer — Sept. 29 at South Adams

•Boys tennis — Sept. 15 at Adams Central, Sept. 21 at Bellmont

•Girls soccer — Sept. 1 at South Adams

•Volleyball — Sept. 15 at Adams Central