Thoughts during the apocalypse, Part 11.

Realistically, it does not appear that a spring sports season will be possible.

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association is caught between a rock and a hard place these days. The governing body of high school sports in this state has the concerns wrought by the coronavirus pandemic to deal with on one hand, while on the other, it has to placate a growing number of restless participants that would risk all to resume sports for the spring season that has been delayed.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

The latest word is that the association has approved the resumption of the high school sports season by May 4, pending whatever other restrictions may be extended or added by the commonwealth by that time. Presently, schools and non-essential businesses are to remain closed until at least May 4 per order by Gov. Charlie Baker.

Under the guidelines approved by a vote of the MIAA Board of Directors (19-0) on Monday, the first games can be played seven days after the official opening of the season, with a regular season of 8-12 games and a playoff structure to be announced later. Games must conclude by June 27.

All well and good, if it is assumed that the coronavirus panic is going to be over and done with in a month's time. But right now, that appears to be a pipe dream. The number of reported cases rises every day, and there does not appear to be a cessation anywhere in sight, at least before the summer.

None of the major professional sports active now -- NBA, NHL, MLS, MLB -- have announced plans to resume their schedules. The Tokyo Olympics have been postponed for a full year. So what is it that the MIAA knows that these other organizations apparently do not?

In a word: Nothing.

Personally, I think it's been a bad idea for the MIAA to hold out hope for an abbreviated spring season. I understand the premise because nobody likes to take away hope from young athletes, particularly the seniors who are seeing their last competitive season (and for many, the last competitive seasons of their lives) evaporate.

But at the same time, it's wrong to mislead these young people, and really sends the wrong message. At a time when governors of the states are grappling with the idea of ordering complete lockdowns to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the MIAA is offering a false hope that will most likely be yanked away from the athletes once it's determined on May 4 that the virus is still a significant threat to the public.

Maddening as it may be, the best way to combat the spread of the virus is to stay home and wait it out. That is not going to happen if young athletes are allowed to cluster in groups again before it can be conclusively be proven to be safe.

I wrote that in a tweet the other day, and I was quickly and roundly attacked by those that objected, suggesting that I was a bad person by "taking the athletes' hope away from them." Yet I have a feeling that the comments were coming from those with ulterior motives, possibly worried about a son's or daughter's possible college scholarship, or just otherwise presuming inaccurately to be able to speak for the athletes.

In my experience of more than 50 years of high school sports coverage for various media, I've found that most kids aren't stupid. They know what's going on. They can figure things out without much help, although some may be at a disadvantage because the messages they might be hearing at home are misinformed and misleading them.

Things will improve. There are signs in some parts of the country as well as in other countries that social distancing is helping to slow the advance of the disease. But there's a ton of misinformation out there, and it doesn't help matters much for the MIAA or any other regulatory body to publicize plans for a return to normalcy that will most likely have to be scrapped if current projections are to be believed.

There's nothing wrong with planning for every eventuality. But what is worse? Taking away hope, or creating false hope? I would prefer that we underscore to the young athletes of this state the need to act responsibly in a time of crisis.