DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa High School Athletic Association’s 2020 State Basketball Tournament will play Friday’s games with spectator restrictions due to increasing concern of the spread and impact of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The consolations and finals set for Friday, March 13 at Wells Fargo Arena will be played as currently scheduled. The IHSAA will provide additional updates to this strategy should they be necessary. Thursday’s games will continue as scheduled and are currently without spectator restriction.

The IHSAA has coordinated with health officials, state and local government, and Iowa Events Center throughout this week’s event, with updated guidance requiring these measures.

Only team members, game officials, essential tournament workers, Iowa Events Center staff, limited credentialed media, and select school spectators (see below) will be allowed inside the facility. Those spectators will be asked to leave the facility once their game is complete.

Other spectators and previously scheduled award recipients and visitors will not be permitted.

The IHSAA acknowledges these updates are inconvenient and unprecedented. The understanding of member schools and communities is sincerely appreciated.

The remaining games will be available to view through the Iowa High School Sports Network’s coverage. The IHSSN has television coverage for semifinals and finals, free live streaming, and a free downloadable app to view the games. Visit ihssn.com/basketball or ihssn.com/live for viewing information.

The IHSAA staff will also provide frequent updates on the games through its website and social media platforms.

Spectators who purchased tickets in advance of Friday’s games at Wells Fargo Arena will be refunded at the point of purchase.

The IHSAA will continue working with health officials to determine adjustments or preventative measures for the upcoming spring sports seasons. Updates will be provided as they become available.

Team & Family Spectator Information

Each of Friday’s participating schools will be allowed up to 100 total entrants, free of charge.  The 100 total include the official team traveling party. The IHSAA recommends these entrants are immediate family members of your traveling party.

Participating schools are required to submit a list of names for those attending.

School administrators should send those lists in one document to ttharp@iahsaa.org before their games and bring printed copies upon check-in. Spectators will be checked in as a group 30 minutes prior to tipoff at the north entrance of Wells Fargo Arena.

ST. LOUIS, Mo., March 12, 2020 – Following the official statement from Major League Baseball this afternoon, the St. Louis Cardinals are making contingency plans and proactively monitoring the Coronavirus situation.

This afternoon, Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. announced the cancellation of Spring Training games for all 30 Clubs, along with at least a two-week delay to the start of 2020 Opening Day.

“From the beginning of this uncertain, global pandemic, we have emphasized the safety of our fans, players and staff,” said Bill DeWitt Jr., Chairman and CEO. “We are supportive of the decision by MLB, which allows us additional time to navigate this evolving situation and prioritize the safety of everyone.”

One of those guidelines involves the creation of an internal task force, which the Cardinals have already established. The task force includes stakeholders from across the organization—including representatives from Baseball Operations, Ticket Sales and Marketing, Corporate Sales, Communications, Special Events and Merchandising, Finance and Administration and Human Resources.

The internal task force, led by Vice President of Stadium Operations, Matt Gifford, will implement guidelines from the league, review updates from local and state health departments and communicate important messages on behalf of the Club.

“This developing situation is, and has always been fluid,” said John Mozeliak, President of Baseball Operations. “At this time, spring training camps in Jupiter remain open for player workouts and training, but our practice fields and facility will be closed to the public.”

Mozeliak added, “We have been communicating as much as we can with our players, fans, and employees up to this point, and are taking direction from the MLB Commissioner’s Office while we analyze our next steps from all angles.”

“We anticipate fans will have questions about their ticket purchases for those first two weeks, as well as for future games,” said Joe Strohm, Vice President of Ticket Sales. “At this time, we are still working through our approach to handling ticketing issues, and will be communicating the details to fans soon.”

Following a call with the 30 Clubs, and after consultation with the Major League Baseball Players Association, Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. today announced that MLB has decided to suspend Spring Training games and to delay the start of the 2020 regular season by at least two weeks due to the national emergency created by the coronavirus pandemic.  This action is being taken in the interests of the safety and well-being of our players, Clubs and our millions of loyal fans.

MLB will continue to evaluate ongoing events leading up to the start of the season.  Guidance related to daily operations and workouts will be relayed to Clubs in the coming days.  As of 4:00 p.m. (ET) today, forthcoming Spring Training games have been cancelled, and 2020 World Baseball Classic Qualifier games in Tucson, Arizona have been postponed indefinitely.

MLB and the Clubs have been preparing a variety of contingency plans regarding the 2020 regular season schedule.  MLB will announce the effects on the schedule at an appropriate time and will remain flexible as events warrant, with the hope of resuming normal operations as soon as possible.

Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our players, employees and fans.  MLB will continue to undertake the precautions and best practices recommended by public health experts.  We send our best wishes to all individuals and communities that have been impacted by coronavirus.