Spring sports in Connecticut are slated to roll on, full steam ahead. One year after the entire campaign got wiped out by decisions surrounding the unknowns of the coronavirus, the plan is for all of the state’s teams to play full seasons with conference and state playoffs.

The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) announced on March 10 an approved spring sports plan that features no masks for outdoor competition and the approval of boys’ lacrosse, which was the lone sport considered high risk by the Connecticut State Department of Public Health.

There will be an alteration to the strategy of boys’ lacrosse face-offs that decreases contact and face-off time. This mimics a setup implemented by the National Collegiate Athletic Conference, with players no longer being allowed to put a knee on the ground when setting up for the draw.

As was the case in the fall for girls’ volleyball, boys’ volleyball — also an indoor sport — will require mask-wearing during competition.

Athletes and coaches will be required to wear masks when entering athletic fields and while on the sidelines.

Several rules are in place in an effort to avoid spread of germs, such as no spitting, seeds, or gum — popular with softball and baseball players — along with limitations of team representatives for pregame meetings with officials, spacing of athletes on benches (which teams are to disinfect), and no postgame handshakes.

The first practice date for all teams is Saturday, March 27; baseball pitchers and catchers may begin March 20. Competitions may begin as early as April 10, and teams will be permitted to play full 16- to 20-game schedules, depending on the sport.

If all goes as planned, this will be the first traditional season since fall 2019, after the 2019-2020 winter season was cut short in the state playoffs for some squads, 2020 spring seasons were canceled, and the fall 2020 and current winter slates saw delayed starts, shorter seasons, and no state playoffs.

Newtown High School Athletic Director Matt Memoli pointed out that all teams will qualify for South-West Conference tournaments, just like in the fall and winter. The idea there is to ensure teams that may miss out on contests canceled due to coronavirus protocol have as many opportunities to play as much as possible, regardless of wins and losses. Although anything can happen, Memoli is optimistic.

“Not to get too excited or ahead of ourselves, but it sounds like it’s going to be a go,” Memoli said.