It would mean everything to Zela Chahbazian if this season, she could once again turn to her parents and grandparents in the stands while swinging her bat in the on-deck circle, preparing to take her next at-bat for Chapman’s softball team.

But when she looks to the bleachers of El Camino Real Park this spring, will senior infielder Chahbazian see the smiling faces of her family — or just a few stray leaves fluttering in the wind?

“California (Department of) Public Health … states only essential personnel can be at sporting events,” said Jennifer Dubow, executive director of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). “And we are not in a position to override California policy.”

California officials announced March 5 that theme parks, sports arenas and stadiums could be allowed to open at a limited capacity April 1 if their respective counties met the qualifications for the red tier of the COVID-19 county watchlist. Orange county currently meets that criteria, as the Orange County COVID-19 dashboard displays six new daily cases per 100,000 residents. Venues falling under that criteria would be able to hold events in a stadium at 20% capacity.

Dubow said that ruling may not have any impact on whether Chapman can host fans at its spring games, noting guidelines for intercollegiate athletics state a change in tier wouldn’t necessarily allow for spectators. While she has her doubts, Terry Boesel, Chapman’s athletic director, believes Chapman will let fans back into the stands once Orange County shifts into the red tier, which took place March 14.

“If we get to (the red tier), we’ll be able to have 20% capacity at our venues as well,” Boesel said. “Anything we’re able to do is based off of that four-tier system.”

Contrary to Dubow’s statement, Boesel says Chapman works off of California’s county guidelines, meaning there may be fans in the stands soon enough. 

The new tier allows under Newsom’s guidelines, according to Boesel, for women’s water polo, softball, baseball and women’s lacrosse to open their seasons with fans in the stands at limited capacity — the first Chapman home game in those sports is scheduled for April 2.

That’s welcome news to many players, like Chahbazian, who are used to seeing their families witness their performance on the field.

“They came to my first (college) game,” Chahbazian said. “It would mean everything for them to be there and watch, since they’ve been supporting me for my entire softball career.”

If case rates rise and the return of fans is delayed, Chapman’s athletic department has invested thousands of dollars into new cameras and equipment to improve the streaming quality of its games. That’s something that excites Scott Laverty, head coach of the baseball team, who credits Boesel and the athletic department for creating a new fan experience.

While Chahbazian says she would probably have to teach her parents and grandparents how to use the live streaming service, she knows that whether they’ll be cheering her on through the muffle of a mask at El Camino Real Park or through the computer from their living room sofa, they’ll be right with her along the way.

“That physical support means a lot, but I know they’re supporting me emotionally from home,” Chahbazian said.