Playing on: These youth sports leagues are keeping their seasons, despite the governor’s recommendation

UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Despite the new guidance from the state and Gov. Tom Wolf’s recommendation to delay youth sports until 2021, some sports leagues say they plan to play on.

Loyalhanna United Soccer Club kicks off its fall season in just a couple of weeks after canceling the spring season because of the pandemic.

“They want to come back to play. Obviously, there are other activities they can do besides sports, but for many kids in our local community, this is something that’s a priority for a lot of these kids,” said Vincent Pimpinella, a coach for Loyalhanna United Soccer Club.

Despite the governor’s recommendation to hold off on sports until 2021, Loyalhanna United is moving forward with its season.

The league follows the discretion of Pennsylvania West Soccer Association, which is a member of United States soccer Association.

So far, neither governing body has scrapped the season.

“We follow their standards and as their standards change we step back and as their standards change in the opposite direction, we step forward,” Pimpinella said.

Loyalhanna United says the decision coming down from the PIAA could potentially influence their season, and even though numbers are only at about 60% of where they were in the spring, there's enough space and players to keep up with social distancing and staggering game times.

“We are planning on operating both of our in-house program, our Sunday travel program and our men’s team,” Pimpinella said.

Loyalhanna United isn’t the only local organization keeping its schedule. Mountain Fellowship Center in Fayette County voted to continue with its upcoming season.

In a statement, the board of directors said the nonprofit organization can’t qualify for any COVID-19 relief funds. “If Community Center does not continue to operate at 50% capacity, the organization runs the imminent risk of permanently closing its doors despite the increased activity and needed renovations over the last several years,” the statement read.

The registration deadline for Loyalhanna United Soccer Club is Friday, and its season kicks off in mid-September.

Channel 11 checked around to see what other sports leagues have decided to play despite the state’s recommendation.

Leagues that have decided to go ahead with play, as of today:

• Allegheny Youth Football League
• Beaver County Youth Football League
• Pittsburgh Diocesan League
• South Hills Youth Football League
• United Youth Football League
• North Hills Youth Football League

Leagues that canceled:

• Big East Youth Football League
• Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League
• Tri-State Youth Football League
• Big East Football League
• Parkway Football League

There are 53 youth leagues in the state. So far, we know that 26 are playing, 24 have canceled and three are undecided

PIAA board to discuss fate of fall high school sports Friday after Gov. Wolf’s announcement

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