A couple of days into preseason practices, Michael Palmieri read a notice from USA Softball regarding COVID-19. The national organization had recommended the elimination of pre-game handshakes with umpires and post-game handshakes between teams.

“It seemed a bit bizarre,” said the Barnegat High School coach. “But that’s when I knew this was getting serious.”

Within a week’s time, every high school in New Jersey was ordered to close its doors to students and most staff and make the shift to remote…