See how this week in sports would have unfolded in a world without the coronavirus
After more than two months of absence because of the coronavirus pandemic, sports are slowly starting to return in the United States.
NASCAR held a Cup Series race in Darlington, S.C., on Sunday and will stage three more races this week — an Xfinity Series contest on Tuesday and two more Cup Series races on Wednesday and Sunday.
Horse racing returned to Kentucky over the weekend with the delayed start of Churchill Downs’ Spring Meet, although no spectators are allowed at the track. The meet will run through June 27 with racing held Thursdays through Sundays. This Saturday’s featured race is a Kentucky Derby prep, the Grade 3, $150,000 Matt Winn Stakes.
The return of racing, both on the pavement and the dirt, is certainly welcome. But there was plenty else on tap this week in the sports world that has been canceled or postponed because of COVID-19, including NBA and NHL playoff games.
Heading into the 10th full week without most sports, here’s a look at some of what fans will be missing:
Monday
Kentucky high school baseball and softball district tournaments were scheduled to begin, along with the 11th Region tennis tournament.
Tuesday
The NBA Draft Lottery would have been held in Chicago on the same day the draft combine was set to begin. As of yet, neither has been rescheduled.
The SEC baseball tournament would have kicked off in Hoover, Ala., while the OVC baseball tournament got underway in Marion, Ill.
The Cincinnati Reds would have played the first of a two-game series at Cleveland, while the Lexington Legends would have opened a three-game series with the Lakewood BlueClaws at Whitaker Bank Ballpark on 25-cent hot dog night.
Wednesday
Kentucky high school track and field regionals would have begun on Wednesday and run through Saturday.
Thursday
The Senior PGA Championship, now canceled, was scheduled to tee off for its first round in Benton Harbor, Mich.
Postseason play in college softball would have heated up with the beginning of play in the NCAA Tournament super regionals.
Friday
The Reds would have kicked off a seven-game home stand, opening a four-game series with the San Diego Padres at Great American Ball Park. The Legends were scheduled to begin a three-game series against the West Virginia Power and would have honored the late Jared Lorenzen by giving away statues of the former University of Kentucky quarterback.
In women’s college golf, the NCAA Division I Championship would have teed off in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Saturday
After completing the second game of their series with the Power, the Legends would have hosted a fireworks show at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.
Sunday
The 104th Indianapolis 500 would have been run on Sunday. It has been rescheduled for Aug. 23. Fortunately for motorsports fans, NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 is still set to run at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina at 6 p.m. and will be televised on Fox.
In tennis, the French Open would have gotten underway. It has been rescheduled for Sept. 20-Oct. 4.
The SEC and OVC baseball tournaments would have concluded, along with the Senior PGA Championship.
