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WINTER SPORTS CANCELED IN RICHMOND, ARLINGTON
On Tuesday, Richmond Public Schools joined Arlington County in cancelling winter high school sports. Citing COVID-19 concerns, Superintendent Jason Kamras said, “I believe it’s our only option to fully honor our commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of our students, families and staff.”
SPORTS WWW.FAUQUIER.COM
Fauquier Times | November 11, 2020
ACTION! HERE COME THE CAMERAS High schools gear up to livestream sports events
Local high school events in gyms and stadiums will be livestreamed on the National Federation of State High School Association’s network this season, offering a solution to watching games during the pandemic when crowds are restricted to 250. Cameras already exist at gyms and stadiums in Prince William County and are being installed at Fauquier County’s three high schools.
By Peter Brewington and Fred Hodge Times Staff Writers
The streaming of live high school sports events became a trendy idea several years ago with many schools installing cameras and making the option available. Now, in the time of COVID-19, it could be the answer to watching games safely. In Prince William County, high-quality digital cameras were installed at high school fields and gyms within the last two years. Fauquier County is putting them in its three high schools right now. said Kettle Run activities director Paul Frye. “My Games will be streamed on the National Feder- kids’ parents get to watch them play when we’re ation of State High School Associations’ network, at home,” he said, noting Liberty and Fauquier are available on all devices. A yearly plan to view games discussing following the same policy to only let costs subscribers less than $6 a month. the home team’s fans attend. In Fauquier County, the installation of the Pixel“I believe that’s the easiest way to handle this,” lot-brand digital cameras in the gyms and stadiums Frye said, adding allowing the athletes to return costs $2,500 per school. The central office will as- to competition is the prime focus. “We’re not here sist with the installation. so Mom and Dad can watch them play. We’re here “This is a great use of technology in a pandem- so the kids can play.” ic,” said Major Warner, Fauquier County’s associate In Prince William County, online ticketing is besuperintendent for instruction. ing looked at as a way to regu“What it eliminates is the ‘Who late the interest. “The allotments gets the 40 tickets?’ Here is an present positives and negatives,” option for you to watch from said Unity Reed’s Turner. the comfort and safety of your In Fauquier County, school home. This is part of what I see administrators are excited to as the new reality for the foreuse the new cameras, believing seeable future.” in the technology and the need. Unity Reed activities direcThe camera is fully autontor Kevin Turner said a Pixelomous and covers the entire lot camera has been in place An auto-tracking feature allows playing surface in a panoramabove the press box at his Pixellot cameras to cover the entire ic view. It automatically folschool for a year, but it has not playing surface in a panoramic view lows the play, and is said to been used. “It definitely pro- and automatically follow plays. produce a quality production. vides another option,” he said, The system is synched with adding, “I’m not sure it’s a change that’s a welcome the scoreboards to display the games’ scores and change. In reality, folks want to see their kids play times at the bottom of the screen. in person.” Games are streamed through collaboration With high school sports set to resume next between the National Federation of State High month, administrators are struggling with how to School Associations and PlayOn! Sports of Atdeal with limits of 250 people — including play- lanta. The service has operated since 2013. More ers and coaches — at events. In Fauquier County, than 300,000 contests were streamed last year. administrators are contemplating allowing spec- Subscribers may watch any available game at a participating school in the country. tators only from the home school at events. Fauquier High AD Mark Ott said there is a “It would be tough for me to tell Fauquier they’ve got 50 tickets and we’ve got 50 tickets,” five-year contract to join the network. After three
COURTESY PHOTOS
years, the schools will get a share of the revenue generated by subscriptions. Monthly subscriptions are $10.99 for viewers and may be canceled at any time. A yearly rate of $69.99 ($5.83 monthly) also is available. “I think this is going to be a great thing,” Ott said. “It’s going to benefit people out of state or area who never get to see their grandkids or family members play.” Once completed each contest will be archived and available for view at any time. Ott said schools also may sell up to three ads that will scroll at the bottom of the screen during the contest. Each school will input schedules and start times into the NFHS’ system. After calibration, broadcasting begins automatically. Ott received an email Friday requesting an appointment to install the digital Pixellot Prime cameras at Fauquier. One camera will be in the gymnasium to cover basketball, volleyball, wrestling and cheer competitions. The second will be in the football stadium to stream football, lacrosse, field hockey and soccer. Track meets also will be available, except at Liberty because the Eagle track lies outside of the stadium. Unity Reed’s Turner said the thought behind streaming was to beam games to relatives in other areas, and his parents have not used it locally. “It was originally installed for folks with family members not nearby. If you lived in Phoenix or New York you could watch a kid play basketball or volleyball. Some schools have taken advantage of it, but none of our parents have,” Turner said. Due to major gym construction, Unity Reed’s gym camera is currently disabled. “I’m not sure if it will be repaired for our schedule, but if it is, yes, we can livestream,” he said.
Pandemic rules will really change lacrosse All sports affected, some more than others By Fred Hodge
Special to the Times
With winter sports set to start next month, coaches are weighing in on pandemic-related rules restrictions that will force noticeable changes. In short, some sports might look a little strange, especially lacrosse. In boys lacrosse, faceoffs are being eliminated. After a goal, the team scored upon gets possession at midfield. Body checks now are prohibited
and battles for loose balls will draw a quick whistle with the ball awarded on an alternating basis. The girls draw, the equivalent of the boys faceoff, also has been suspended. “When trying to find the logic in some of the recommendations, I am at a complete loss,” said Fauquier High girls lacrosse coach Ken McInnis in an email. McInnis wonders why boys lacrosse is being altered so much when there are no adjustments limiting contact in football. “At this point, since they appear to be playing by girls rules why are pads and a helmet
necessary?” McInnis asked. “Obtaining possession and going on offense and attacking the goal is what the game is all about,” he stressed. “You win 70 percent of the draws, you have much better odds of winning the game.” The Virginia High School League issued a 39-page document with new restrictions for every sport. General guidelines call for the elimination of pre-game and postgame handshakes. Emphasis also is on social distancing on sidelines and See NEW RULES, page 18
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Lacrosse is the most prominent VHSL sport affected by pandemic rules modifications with faceoffs and draws being eliminated.