Why Alcoa and William Blount played a softball game Monday despite coronavirus concerns

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MARYVILLE — The fans trickled in one after one after one Monday evening. They sat in the stands around William Blount's softball field, shoulder-to-shoulder. 

A crowd of around 150 watched Alcoa beat William Blount 10-8 in the only sporting event in the Knoxville area — and one of the few still being played across the state because of concerns over the coronavirus. 

"I don't subscribe to fear," William Blount athletic director Scott Cupp said. "There's people having fun."

Cupp wanted to have the game because "kids only get to be kids once." He didn't think about limiting the attendance or forcing spectators to sit far away from each other. 

"If they want to social distance, there's plenty of places to do so," Cupp said. "I understand the preventative measures. But it's a recommendation. It'd be different if we had people who were infected."

There had been 73 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state as of Tuesday afternoon. But there had been no confirmed cases in Blount County.

"There's nothing going on in the sports world," said Maryville native Jason Ward, 44. "This is it."

Blount County Schools, which includes William Blount, announced Monday they would close Wednesday until March 31, with field trips, school events, athletic practices and games cancelled beginning Wednesday.

Alcoa City Schools also announced they would close until March 31, which included athletic events and games. 

But Brian Bell, director of Alcoa City Schools, gave the Lady Tornadoes permission to play against William Blount on Monday after Alcoa's original game against Scott was cancelled because Scott's field was too wet. 

Both teams took preventative measures. They didn't shake hands after the game. They bumped elbows. They kept hand sanitizer in the dugouts.

There's a chance this was the last game for either team this season. The TSSAA Board of Control did approve a measure to hold Spring Fling, even if it means moving it from May 19-22 to early June. 

But if schools systems remain closed that likely means athletic events and practices won't take place. 

"It's been really hard to wrap my mind around it," said Alcoa senior outfielder SieAnna Cameron, a Carson-Newman signee. "I don't want (the season) to be taken away from something we have no control over."

Cameron is one of two seniors on the team, along with outfielder Cierra Hudson. Last season she helped lead Alcoa to the state tournament for the first time since 2006. And after Alcoa was eliminated, she kept thinking about this season. 

Alcoa still hasn't played a home game, and there's a possibility of no senior night and no state tournament run. 

"It would just be heartbreak," said Alcoa softball coach Sarah Bailey, a former Lady Vols All-American. "But being heartbroken over a game is necessary when it's a public health issue."