LIHU‘E— Kaua’i Senior Softball President Joe Bertucci remains optimistic the island of Kaua‘i could still host the state tournament tentatively scheduled for early August.
The state tournament, which was scheduled for early August of 2020, was ultimately canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Senior Softball League, which currently has the first portion of its schedule released on their website and includes 14 games and 15 weeks for each of the participating teams, is still assessing the ever-changing conditions related to COVID-19.
“I think it’s in our court to submit a schedule of games for the remaining season to be approved,” Bertucci said.
With the federal, state and local governments still in the early process of their COVID-19 vaccine distribution, the league remains hopeful they can proceed after their first portion of the distributed schedule ends April 17.
“Hopefully, we can get other islands’ commitment to play in the state tournament,” Bertucci said. “That will be a couple of months out to see.”
The senior league, which is now in the third week of returning to league play, has had a successful return, according to Bertucci.
The league, which is adapting to Mayor Derek Kawakami’s new protocol of “Youth Priority” for all fields, states that if there is a youth-sanctioned league scheduled to play or practice, the senior league must surrender fields as needed, Bertucci said.
According to Bertucci, the “Youth Priority” rule will force games to be rescheduled to allow the youth to play.
Bertucci said aside from following the county’s recommended COVID-19 protocol, there have been no significant changes to the league.
“There is no difference (in the game) other than the mask-wearing and social-distancing,” Bertucci said.
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Jason Blasco, reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or jblasco@thegardenisland.com.
