Chico State athletics was given the green light to start practicing this week

After a year of not being able to practice, baseball player for Chico State Willie LaJoie could hardly contain his excitement when stepping onto the field Tuesday.

Dani masten is live at the baseball stadiumÃdani how are students feeling about returning to the field?

I spoke with a baseball player here at chico state.

He could hardly contain his excitement.

Telling me what it was like to step back out onto the field.

Willie lajoie/student baseball athlete at chico state "the best way to put it is imagine missing an entire christmas one year and then that second christmas comes and it just times two."

Willie lajoie has been playing on the baseball team at chico state for almost two years.

"i wouldn't want to be anywhere else, honestly.

I've said that from the start."

When the pandemic hit lajoie couldn't stand the thought of not being able to do what he loves most.

Willie lajoie/student baseball athlete at chico state "we didn't know what to do, we didn't know what to think.

We didn't really believe it at first.

As time started to go on and it started becoming a reality and started hitting that i am not going to be able to play with these guys ever again."

But now it's all smiles and joy to be back on the field& willie lajoie/student baseball athlete at chico state "rolled right into practice just like it was when everything stopped.

It was euphoric."

Dani masten "many empty seats here at the nettleton stadium but in a couple of months we could see many people fill these seats."

Willie lajoie/student baseball athlete at chico state "hopefully, we will have a big turnout.

Hopefully, we see a couple of fans and hopefully, i see my friends up in the stands and give them a little wave."

The baseball team is following covid-19 precautions.

Wearing masks at all times, social distancing, teams at chico state are only allowed to practice in small groups.

They are allotted two 90- minute skill instruction sessions per week.

No competitions are allowed..

And all athletes and coaches are required to wear masks, participate in symptom tracking..

And surveillance testing.