As the world continues to deal with the impact of COVID-19, a novel strain of the coronavirus that has killed more than 3,000 people and infected more than 100,000 others across the world, concerns have seeped into the Arizona sports community.
The 15 Cactus League teams that play spring training in Arizona received a memo from Major League Baseball recommending players don’t take baseballs and pens from fans to sign autographs.
Scouts from the NHL Coyotes have been told to take precautions, and the state’s governing body for high school sports is taking its lead from the national federation.
“We have to be aware that it could potentially hit our area, and we want to be mindful and we want to prepare as we move forward,” said David Hines, the executive director of the Arizona Interscholastic Federation. “We don’t want to panic yet, but we want to pay attention.”
