Coronavirus has put a hault to sporting events …. but there are still stories to tell

Coach Jeff Sears Laguna Beach team is off to an 8-1 start. (Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)

When we launched OC Sports Zone in July of 2018, our intent was to focus on the accomplishments of Orange County’s outstanding athletes.

We intend to keep doing that, even through this period of uncertainty due to concerns about the coronavirus. We take this story very seriously, which is why we’ve devoted the past three days to it and we will continue to report on developments as they affect OC athletics.

All of us are stunned at this week’s developments, the heartbreaking cancellations which have denied young athletes a chance at pursuing their dreams. We remember the people who are afflicted with his horrible virus and we salute all the medical people who are trying to help. We applaud the effort of school officials who are trying to do their best to keep everyone safe during this crisis.

We’re trying to process all that has happened and like you, we’re having a tough time dealing with this unprecedented crisis and trying to follow all the recommended guidelines to keep ourselves safe. All the sports we love and watch: the NBA, the NHL, the NCAA and Major League baseball have been taken away. Those are the events that always entertained us and help raise our morale during challenging times.

Now, high school sports has been postponed for at least two weeks, maybe longer, maybe much longer or not at all this year.

So, we need to change our focus and how we deliver sports news to you for a while.

We want to get back to doing what we love to do, report on sports. We won’t be out covering games for a while as a result of all the cancellations. We hope, for the athletes’ sakes, we get to cover the end of their spring seasons.

There are a lot of teams in Orange County who have been doing very well. We’re happy to provide a mid-season report with stat leaders and a quote from the coach. But it’s not limited to teams with winning records.

In fact, we’re open to most story ideas you have during this rather strange time. We’re all in this together.

We are so thrilled with our growth and appreciative of our readers and partners who support us. We need to continue to provide new content, even during trying times.

Please send a horizontal (see example above) picture to: timburt@ocsports.zone.com and include the names of the players on the team and the team record and some accomplishments.

We pledge to you we will make this a top priority. We hope OC families will be well during this uncertain time. As we have been since 2018, OC Sports Zone is here and will continue to be here for the communities we serve.

–Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com