As COVID-19 cases rise, Morgantown is hosting Mo ‘Town Mayhem, an 84-team softball tournament, this weekend.
The tournament is organized through USA Softball and will be played at a variety of fields including White Park, Cheat Lake Fields, Granville Park, St. Francis Central Catholic School, Westover and the Appalachain Community Center in Smithfield, Pennsylvania, according to the tournament website.
Tournament Director Josh Warner told The Dominion Post it was a bad time and he didn’t have the time to talk on Friday.
Team names indicate teams are coming from Pittsburgh, Erie County, Pennsylvania., Gilmer County and Wheeling.
County Commissioner Tom Bloom said he understands the tournament has been working with the Governor’s office as part of its low contact sports initiative but wasn’t aware of the tournament until Thursday.
“Unfortunately, county commissions are last to find out what’s going on,” Bloom said. “We really need state and local government to work together. Clearly, we’ve not been talking.”
While disappointed the county commission wasn’t consulted, Bloom is not opposed to the tournament. He said a middle ground needs to be found between shutting everything down again and being fully open.
He encouraged everyone to wear a mask and said he’s in favor of consequence for people who don’t but can’t implement any.
“We need to go all-in or not do anything,” Bloom said. “Clearly the path we’re taking right now is very disillusioning and disappointing and county commissioners.”
In Friday’s COVID-19 press briefing, Gov. Jim Justice mentioned he’s considering shutting down Mon County’s bars and restaurants again. Bloom wondered how all those teams would get fed if that happened.
Dr. Lee Smith, of the Monongalia County Health Department, emailed the tournament director and registered sanitarians reached out to each ballpark to come up with a plan, Public Information Officer Mary Wade Burnside said.
According to an email sent by BOPARC, starting on Thursday all activities risk cancellation if participants do not follow guidelines from the MCHD.
The guidelines include face coverings, a four person limit in dugouts, guidance on where other players should sit, no bleacher seating and social distancing requirements in spectator areas.
The email stated the MCHD will be monitoring activities.
At least one area business is excited about the tournament.
The Hampton Inn & Suites at Morgantown University Town Centre started booking for this tournament in February and has seen very few cancellations, according to Director of Sales Tori Kozak.
“It survived the pandemic and people are still traveling,” Kozak said.
She said the past few months have been rough and the influx of business is exciting. The hotel, with 115 rooms, is expecting to sell out this weekend.
