American sports leagues struggling with how to restart after the coronavirus crisis might find some pointers in the return to neighborhood parks and fields of youth soccer and Little League.
Medical and sports authorities say the kids’ leagues are likely to return before the pros because community-based sports are better suited to improvise, incorporate new rules and adjust to the necessary rules regarding social distancing.
“Youth sports are inherently more adaptable,” said Lauren Sauer, director of operations with the Johns Hopkins office of critical event preparedness and response.
She told participants in an online panel discussion of youth sports this week that neighborhood leagues have advantages the big leagues lack.