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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (July 24, 2020)
PAGE A8, KEIZERTIMES, JULY 24, 2020 McNary athletic workouts continue with restrictions Phone & Video Conferencing Available 503-371-9636 Protecting You and the Ones You Love A B Kathy Belcher Attorney at Law McGinty Belcher & Hamilton, Attorneys 694 High Street NE, Salem • mcginty-belcher.com Estate Planning • Elder Law • Probate Social Security • Wills & Trusts Asset Protection • Medical Directives Guardian & Conservatorships C D KEIZERTIMES/Matt Rawlings A: Kylie Nepstad works on her crossover dribble. B: Bethany Villegas lines up a shot. C: Nate Allen locks in on a fastball during batting practice. D: J.T. Walsh runs down the line after a single to left fi eld during a scrimmage. BY MATT RAWLINGS Of the Keizertimes Earlier this month, the McNary girls’ basketball team and baseball team returned to district facilities to begin workouts. Even though each pro- gram is under intense restric- tions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both teams are ex- cited to be able to return to some form of athletic action. “Even with all the weird things, our girls are just glad to be back together. It beats working out by yourself,” said Elizabeth Doran, the Mc- Nary girls’ basketball coach. McNary baseball coach Larry Keeker added: “Kids were excited to be there. It has been really nice to see ev- eryone. A lot of our guys ha- ven’t been able to do much of anything baseball related over the summer.” The Salem-Keizer School District prohibits indoor bas- ketball workouts, so the Mc- Nary girls’ team spent last week practicing at the out- door courts at Forest Ridge Elementary. Although Doran sched- uled six workouts last week, each player was only allowed to come to two. The work- outs were each an hour long and featured between six to eight McNary players in two and August, so she admitted that this summer hasn’t af- different pods. The workouts all featured fected her team as much as stations involving individual it has some of the fall sports skill work regarding agility, squads. However, Doran also shooting and ball-handling. said that through this process, she is having OSAA phase to learn a dif- two guidance ferent way to allows sharing “ If two guys coach. of equipment play catch, that As a for- within pods, mer Division but Doran ball is going I basketball elected to play into a bucket to player, Dor- it extra safe by an is used to having each be disinfected. showing play- player bring If we’re hitting ers what she their own balls wants them and disinfect ground balls to do, rath- them regularly. er than just “I just don’t and pop fl ies, telling them. want to take once the play Now she is re- the risk of lying solely on sharing equip- is made, the verbal instruc- ment at this ball is put into tion. point,” Doran the bucket. “It’s defi - said. nitely forced Players are Once the ball is me to change also required to socially dis- touched, it goes the way I coach,” Doran tance during to be cleaned.” said. the workout, Wo r k o u t s although they — Larry Keeker are expected do not have McNary baseball coach to run until to wear masks mid-August. — as a coach, The McNary baseball Doran is required to wear team, on the other hand, has one at all times. Doran usually has her play- been working out two to ers participate in skill devel- three times per week since opment training during July early July. About 14 kids showed up to the fi rst work- out, but according to Keeker, there were close to 30 kids showing up to workouts last week. Keeker and his coaching staff wear masks throughout the entirety of the workout and encourage their players to do the same. Hand sanitiz- er is readily available at multi- ple spots during the workout. The disinfecting of equip- ment, mainly baseballs, is happening constantly at these workouts. Each time a ball is used, it cannot be used again until it is cleaned and sani- tized. Keeker says that they go through hundreds of baseballs per workout. “If two guys play catch, that ball is going into a buck- et to be disinfected. If we’re hitting ground balls and pop fl ies, once the play is made, the ball is put into the bucket. Once a ball is touched, it goes to be cleaned,” Keeker said. Despite the restrictions, the McNary team has been able to do hitting and fi elding drills at separate stations and even hold a live scrimmage with a pitching machine. “It’s not terrible. Yes, it’s challenging, but it’s better than nothing,” Keeker said. 503.390.5222 CreeksideVetKeizer.com 113 McNary Estates Dr N, Suite B Next to Don Suklis State Farm Insurance Free Consultation NO FEE UNTIL WE WIN • Personal Injuries • Wrongful Death Richard Walsh • Auto Accidents 503-304-4886 174 Shore Pointe Pl N, Suite 201, Keizer puzzle answers COVID-19 has created a greater need for donations to the Keizer Community Food Bank Please consider donating food or fi nancial help. Come in & receive a FREE Light Check & Bulb Replacement 3353 Silverton Road NE Salem ◆ 503-363-1990 See BEFORE & AFTER photos at jacksonsautobody.com Give Us Your Keys, & You’ll be Pleased!
