Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Fort Dodge Coach Tyler Winter discuss a play with Dayson Clayton during a practice on Monday inside Dodger Stadium.

As expected, the 2020 athletic season will look much different for local fans supporting their Dodgers and Gaels this fall.

School is back in session this week, but the COVID-19 global pandemic hasn’t relented. Rules and regulations have been established to try and best mitigate both risk and spread of the virus as spectators gather to watch local football, volleyball, girls swimming, boys golf and cross country teams in action at facilities across the state.

Fort Dodge and St. Edmond have localized some of the decisions on crowd behavior and social distancing. For Dodger home football games, fans are “strongly encouraged” to wear face coverings for protection against the novel coronavirus.

“We are really hoping our fans take their responsibility seriously and respect others who are at Dodger Stadium on Friday nights with potentially thousands of others,” FDSH athletic and activities director Kevin Astor said. “We want them to do the right thing. Our student-athletes and members of other activities who are scheduled to perform have worked hard and been careful about getting ready for (the first week of the season) with caution.

“We will do our best to make sure (those in attendance) are socially distancing and being mindful of both the situation and circumstances.”

Fort Dodge is scheduled to open its ’20 campaign this Friday at home against Ames. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Astor added there are no plans to restrict seating capacity at this time.

“We will have additional portable bleachers set up to help social distancing practices,” Astor said. “The goal is to spread out as much as possible and keep people together who are from the same household.

“We would really appreciate Dodger fans’ cooperation and understanding.”

Astor did confirm that a live stream will be available this season for Fort Dodge’s four home contests. The website and cost will be finalized later this week.

Face coverings are required for Gael backers at Dodger Stadium. St. Edmond’s first home contest is Friday, Sept. 4, versus Clarion-Goldfield/Dows.

New St. Edmond activities director Zach Steinhoff made an official announcement on Monday, activating a rule for mandatory face covers at all extracurricular events.

“For the health and safety of all participants, coaches, officials and spectators, St. Edmond Catholic School will be requiring all spectators at events to wear a face covering,” Steinhoff said in a statement. “We strongly encourage individuals to practice social distancing of six feet or more and to sit within family units.

Furthermore, we will not be allowing spectators to sit in the first two rows of the bleachers for indoor events. At this time, we are not limiting crowd sizes at indoor or outdoor events, as we believe our facilities are able to safely accommodate for the number of individuals in attendance. Our gymnasium will be arranged to have away fans seated on the north-side bleachers (in the Gael gym) and home fans seated on the south-side bleachers.”

The Central Iowa Metro League released its rules and regulations for all levels of volleyball, girls swimming, cross country and boys golf as well. Fort Dodge Senior High must adhere to the terms and conditions.

Fans will be required to wear a protective face covering at all CIML volleyball matches. Seating in host gyms will be limited.

At girls swimming meets, face coverings are mandatory. In addition, “because of limited space and seating for the CIML swimming pools, there will be no visiting spectators allowed this year,” the press release said. “Space will be reserved for the swim teams, coaches and meet workers.”

Home spectator capacity for meets will be “a local control decision.”

Cross country and golf are requiring face coverings “when spectators are unable to socially distance themselves from others.”