‘This could be the last time’ — a haunting thought for the Idaho athletes still competing

NBA arenas are empty. The NCAA Tournament has been canceled. And across the country, college campuses are turning into ghost towns.

Yet the sound of softballs thumping against mitts and the crack of baseballs against metal bats echoed through Boise’s Foothills on Friday night, a day after Boise State, whose campus is only a few miles away, canceled all sports through the end of the school year.

Treasure Valley high school spring sports are still in full swing, but you can’t help but hear the talk between fans and parents in the stands.

“Will this be the last game?”

The question is increasingly turning from if high school sports get canceled by the novel coronavirus pandemic, to when high school sports get canceled. Players try to continue their play on the field but can’t help realizing they are playing some of the rare sporting events left.

After his game Friday, Boise High senior first baseman Nick Black helped clean the field like he does after every game, but sighed when asked about all the cancellations.

Idaho health officials announced late Friday afternoon the state’s first confirmed coronavirus case, and a second one Saturday.

“It’s a little surreal,” Black said. “You never think a (situation) like this is going to happen, and then it’s right here. We’re in uncharted territory.”

Black’s father, Kelly, watched Boise baseball’s 8-4 victory over Capital after watching his other son compete in a track meet.

“I wanted to see both because in the back of my mind I thought this could be the last time Nick takes the field,” Kelly Black said.

While Oregon and Washington have largely suspended their competitions, and closed schools statewide, the Idaho High School Activities Association has left it up to individual school districts to decide what to do about sporting events. If these districts decide to start suspending sports, a lot of seniors might already have played their last game. Nick Black even texted his family’s group chat, telling them that they might be watching his last game.

“(Nick) would be devastated,” Kelly Black said. “He’s just focused so hard working towards this season, and now he’s anticipating the last time he’s gonna get to play in high school.”

For most players, coaches, and fans, sporting events are a way to relax and enjoy a game. Yet because of the spread of COVID-19 — the disease caused by the coronavirus — and the worry over gathering to watch a baseball game or tennis match, there is an added layer of stress to each game.

“They’re out here playing because it gives them an outlet,” Boise softball coach Roger Birt said. “They’re not really thinking about it all. They just come out here and play it off.”

While she isn’t a senior, Erika Gustafson, a sophomore for Boise, is still worried about losing this season.

“I don’t really think about it when I’m in the game,” Gustafson said. “But thinking about it after the fact makes me really sad. I want to keep moving on in the season. But it’s going to be what it’s going to be and I guess we just have to play hard.”

Beck Maguire, a senior infielder and pitcher for Boise baseball, had a hard time hearing all the news the last couple days.

“It was a really tough day,” Maguire said. “I know that athletes all over the country, all over the world, they grind and work hard. And then their seasons just came to an end. All those seniors now don’t get to play. It’s tough.”

While NCAA athletes have the possibility of regaining a year of eligibility if the season is completely lost, high school seniors don’t have the same privilege. You can return to college. You can’t return to high school.

“(Nick) will be devastated,” Kelly Black said of the possible cancellations.

“It’s definitely crazy that any game can be my last game,” Boise softball senior Hope Shimatsu said. “I just have to go out there every game and try my hardest and have a good time with my teammates doing what I love.”

After a 15-14 comeback against Capital on Friday night for Boise softball, Boise parents hung around to congratulate their players, but a few of them were somber when talking about what is happening in the sports world around them.

“It’s just heartbreaking for them, to see their season get cut short,” said David Gustafson, Erika’s dad. “You wonder if it is necessary. Maybe we can play without spectators so we can be safe and still have a season.”

This story was originally published March 14, 2020 at 4:00 AM.