Parents question Plano Sports Authority’s decision to continue league games as coronavirus spreads

A growing petition on change.org is asking the Plano Sports Authority to consider delaying or suspending their league programs in light of the coronavirus situation in North Texas.

As of late Sunday evening, the petition had more than 1,100 signatures.

“My name is Monica Pilcher and I am the proud mother of two girls in Plano, TX,” the post accompanying the petition states. “We have been active members in the PSA community where I have held various volunteer positions in multiple sports. I am concerned over PSA’s decision to not accommodate the social distancing that is being called for by the CDC and various other world health organizations. Many surrounding youth sport organizations have decided to delay or suspend their seasons but PSA has not.”

On Sunday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that gatherings of 50 people or more should be canceled or postponed throughout the country for the next eight weeks.

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The Plano Sports Authority is a nonprofit group that provides recreational sports leagues for students in Plano ISD and surrounding areas.

Pilcher said in the post that parents have been asked to practice proper handwashing, keep sick children home and limit the amount of people in attendance to sporting events.

She said part of parents’ concern is that children could transmit COVID-19 to less-resilient family members at home.

“We are asking PSA to do the right thing and follow the lead of the NBA, NHL, MLB, and other sports organizations and delay the seasons,” the post reads. “It seems that the current plan is to play as usual and whoever decides to show up, shows up.”

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She clarified in a comment that she is not seeking a refund, but would like the season to be suspended.

Pilcher said the group sent an email about increasing cleaning and sanitizing of game balls, the stands and high-use areas. The email said there are thermometers to check players’ temperatures and advised spectators to spread out in the stands and parents to wash their children’s hands before and after games.

A request for comment from the Plano Sports Authority was not immediately returned Sunday night.