Holding court
PENN TWP — Butler Country Club youth tennis has taken on a new look — by necessity.
Whitney Snyder is director of the program, which housed 51 kids ages 8-18 last year. This season's program opened on Memorial Day and has 46 youths participating.
“That's pretty amazing, considering the circumstances,” Snyder said.
Snyder's program has always emphasized social interaction among the kids and repetitive, close-knit instruction to the younger ones.
Under the current health guidelines, adjustments have been made there.
“We need to be smart, safe and respect what's going on,” Snyder said.
The BCC youth tennis program's normal environment has kids walking in and out of the clubhouse, sitting around and talking to each other. This summer, only staff members are permitted in the clubhouse.
Anyone who does enter the clubhouse must wear a mask. Players on the court are not required to wear masks.
“The kids won't be in there watching TV and eating Twizzlers, enjoying each other's company, when they're not playing,” Snyder said.
Social distancing is taking place off the court. Snyder has divided his instruction time into three one-hour sessions “to limit the numbers we have there at one time.”
Players must wash their hands or use hand sanitizers before and after every match. Shaking hands is not permitted. Equipment cannot be shared and players must bring their own water bottles.
The scorecards — located beside the net on each court — are not being used as multiple hands would be touching them.
Snyder said the toughest rule to enforce involves tennis ball usage. Youths are not permitted to touch the ball.
“We aren't having serves right now,” Snyder said. “When a volley is over, a staff member or one of the coaches picks up the ball. With kids on every court and balls flying around, it's difficult to police that.
“We aren't playing any actual matches. Now that the county is moving into the green phase, those rules may be relaxed a little bit.”
Snyder said when two adult club members come to play a match, they must bring two cans of tennis balls each. Each player serves one of the balls he or she brought. The other player never touches it.
“The rules sound strict, but they are safety guidelines and enable people to still come out and enjoy tennis,” Snyder said. “I'm grateful to the country club that we can even have a youth program this summer.”
That program will not include playing against other clubs via a travel team this summer.
“That part is disappointing because I've always been aggressive in promoting socialization with youths,” Snyder said. “Playing against swim clubs, YMCA teams, community teams ... It's a real melting pot and it's sad our kids won't be having that experience.”
The would-be 25th annual West Penn Junior Inter-Club Mixed Doubles Championships is scheduled for June 25, but will most likely be canceled. It could be postponed until later in the summer.
“We won't have any events like that here in June,” Snyder said. “It's sad, but that's just where we're at right now.”
