Wet weather wreaks havoc on prep sports slate

String of inclement conditions leaves ADs, players scrambling

THE OLYMPIAN

South Sound high schools are just looking to catch a break -- in the weather -- to get the spring sports seasons in full swing.

Nearly continuous rain and snow the first two weeks of the season have stalled the starts of baseball, fastpitch, tennis and even golf, while making things extremely soggy for track and soccer athletes.

"Right now, if we don't get a break in this weather it is going to be difficult for a lot of the baseball games," River Ridge athletic director Leola Wheeler said. "You have to make up the games in the order they were originally scheduled."

Ronald Bernard, Yelm's athletic director, agrees.

"It's getting pretty bad," Bernard said. "What happens is everything gets crammed in. "We move it to the next available day and then the next available day is rained out."

When events are continuously rescheduled and moved, dozens of people are impacted each time.

The list of people to be notified each time an event is cancelled includes coaches, players, referees and umpires, groundskeepers, parents, custodians and bus drivers.

"It's a long list," Black Hills athletic director Gary Taylor said.

As the postponements stack up, there is concern for athletes, especially pitchers in sports such as baseball where games may need to be played every day once the weather improves.

But Taylor, like other school officials used to wet Western Washington springs, knows the weather can turn around quickly for the better.

"It's too early to get too worried yet," Taylor said.

"We're all used to this now. Everybody's in the same boat. We're hoping for a break in the weather."

For more local news go to the Prep Sports section.

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