By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The National Baseball Congress has announced a portion of its games will be at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson. Reno County Health Department Director Nick Baldetti is satisfied at this point that they are doing all they can to make those games safe.
"I've been working really closely with NBC and obviously advocating for the prudent public health measures," Baldetti said. "The benefit of the NBC World Series is that it's outdoors, coupled with social distancing, mask wearing within the facility. Additionally, the last conversation that we had, my understanding is they were installing temporary seating, potentially along the first base and third base lines to spread out, as well as some tent overhangs. I'm confident in terms of all the steps. The NBC is taking it very seriously."
There have been a handful of outdoor graduation ceremonies and other outdoor events in recent weeks, including the Patriots Parade in Hutchinson.
"I'm much more confident with outdoor events than I am with indoor events," Baldetti said. "Obviously, the caveat to any outdoor event is that there's adherence to social distancing and hygiene practices and then if the six foot social distancing can't be adhered to, an application of mask use. There's a much stronger confidence for outdoor events than there is for indoor events."
The Kansas State High School Activities Association has yet to give schools guidance regarding fall sports. That was originally due last week, but now they are waiting to see if Governor Laura Kelly's Executive Order keeping schools closed until after Labor Day makes it past the State Board of Education before releasing that guidance.