How will WNBA return go? --- Manatee Get Another Win -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

QUESTIONS...

As the WNBA gets closer to the (probable) beginning of their 2020 season, today players will start to decide whether they will participate or not. We've already heard from some players and their choices. If things go according to plan, the season would start in early July, go through a brief training camp and feature a 22 game regular season. Players have until June 25th to opt-in or out. 

There are unanswered questions. Here are some:  

1) What is the played testing plan and how often will test be run?  Will a "negative status" be required before they can enter the bubble? 

2) How many "positive tests" will lead to a cessation  of play? And, will player testing be treated differently than coach or staff testing, in terms of cessation, is the results are positive? We hope that NO ONE tests positive, but that hopw is probably unrealistic. 

3) If certain players decide to not play, how will signing replacement players be handled? 

4) How will practices be conducted with 12 teams?  The IMG Academy -- "the bubble" -- has a total of four courts on campus, spread over two gyms. 

5) Just who will be required to wear masks during practices and games? Will coaches and staff? Will masks be required for players who are on the bench or who have just come out of the game? How about during time-out or stoppage of action sideline huddles? 

We have no word yet on the decisions from the five UofL WBB players in the WNBA on whether they will play yet or not. We'll updatte you when that information becomes available. 

We hope that the season and the opening practices can go off without a hitch and that the players, coaches, referees and staff can all be kept safe and COVID-19 free. I'm excited to watch some basketball, like a lot of you, but I do hope that the safety of the athletes, coaches, staff and personnel will be "game plan #1". 


MANATEE GET ANOTHER WIN

I've been following the pursuits of the two Louisville Softball players (Jordan Wolfe and Paige Schindler in the FGCL Summer Softball league. Both play for the Manatee Squeeze squad, Wolfe an outfielder and Schindler a pitcher/utility player. 

The Manatee won again Tuesday night,  a 3-2 win over the Myakka City River Mocs Tuesday night. The Squeeze are now 4-1 on the season. Manatee is tied for first place in the league with the River Mocs. 

Wisconsin's Taylor Johnson had two home runs, solo shots, for the Squeeze. Pitcher Jenna Greene (Presbyterian College) went all seven innings for Manatee and threw nine strike outs. 

Jordyn Wolfe went 1-2 in the win, getting a double. She's having a good season for Manatee -- batting 5 for 13 (.385) and has three doubles in five games

Paige has appeared in four games for Manatee, two as a pitcher. and has one start. She's 0-0 in decisions, has pitched 5.2 innings, has an ERA of 2.47 and has thrown four strike-outs.

 Against Myakka City last night, she batted once and was hit by a pitch. 

Today is an off day for the league...the teams play five games a week, taking Wednesday and Sunday off.  

Best of continued luck to our Cardinals and Manatee as the league continues! 


paulie
xxxxx