What is usually a sure sign of spring, this year, was forced by a pandemic to wait until summer.

Athletic fields — empty for months due to coronavirus — are filling up again this week. Baseball is among the six “low-risk” youth sports given the go-ahead by New York state to resume. 

What You Need To Know

  • Some "low-risk" youth sports, like baseball, have received approval to resume 

  • Baseball returns to the diamonds near Penfield town hall

  • The little league season has been reduced from three months to one month

On 13 baseball diamonds next to Penfield town hall, Steve Pace Baseball Camp usually opens in June. When COVID-19 shut down organized youth sports, camp had to wait. Coach Andrew Struzik’s kids were not exactly early risers — until now.

"Most of the quarantine it was like 'okay guys, get out of bed,'" said Struzik. "Today they were both up by 7:30 and ready to go."

Monday marked a return to the field for many youth sports in the Rochester area. Aside from baseball, soccer and non-contact lacrosse are also on the list. For Pace, who’s coached baseball for 25 years, opening late is better than not opening at all.

"Just being able to be baseball-related brings not only a smile to my face, but the coaching staff here as well as every kid,” Pace says. "Every kid just wants to get out there and do it."

The first days of camp usually focus on baseball fundamentals. Doing it safely, this year, takes on a whole different meaning. When they’re out on the field, ballplayers don’t have to wear a mask — though they can. Temperatures are checked each morning. Social distancing is practiced as much as the game will allow.

"Parents are playing just as much of a role in this as we are," says Pace. "They have to be honest, whether it comes down with a symptom or something, they need to let us know immediately because then we have to take a step back."

Finally being back, no one here wants to see that happen.

"The kids need something," says Struzik. "They've been pent up in the house. I’ve always found that baseball has been that game that brings America back."

Because of the pandemic, a little league baseball season which usually lasts three months has been shortened to just one. After a spring without baseball, this league’s already in midseason form.

"We’re taking every avenue we can to make sure everyone stays safe," said Pace. "We’re on our way back."