Written for The Argo by Nick Trifiletti

Stockton Baseball recently kicked off its first practice of the Fall season after testing players for COVID-19 to ensure the safety of both the team and the Stockton community.

While players have long awaited their return to the field, the new season has introduced a set of guidelines for practices to operate successfully. Some of these include wearing masks and socially distancing while practicing, along with constant temperature checks and monthly COVID-19 swab tests.

The Stockton Athletics Department uses molecular swab tests to discover any positive cases. “It’s a relief to find out the results of the COVID tests to see if anyone on the team possibly contracted the virus.,” said infielder Frank Bellezza. “This way, we can get together cautiously and still get our work done.”

A few days after the tests, results showed that not one team member had contracted the virus. The first practice was the first time players and staff worked together since March 2020.

The team plans to keep following protocols so they can continue to practice without risking the health of other players or campus community members.