We begin here: If you are a parent of a fall sports high school athlete here in our corner of the world, you'll need a coping mechanism for what you are about to read.

Here's one from the archives: The night Bob Brackett was coaching football at Griswold High and his team won, but played poorly. Bob told reporters, "well, it beats a sharp pencil in the eye."

So there. The recently released spectator rules and expectations for fall sports within the Eastern Connecticut Conference beat a sharp pencil in the eye.

Will you get to see your kid play? Yes. Not every game live, though. I know. You've gone to bed with happier thoughts. But from where league and school officials were a month ago — no spectators at all — the news could be worse.

Generally speaking, ECC schools will allow two spectators per player for all home outdoor games. Spectators will not be allowed at road games. Example: When the season opens next week, defending state champion Stonington plays a boys' soccer game at Ledyard. No Stonington fans will be allowed on premises, per league rule. Also, you'll note the "outdoor" distinction. Neither volleyball nor swimming, because they are contested indoors, will have spectators this fall, per league rule.

Individual schools have some rules that vary. Examples: New London will allow only seniors to have the two-spectator thing at football, but will permit two spectators per player in other sports, according to athletic director Phil Orbe. Montville will allow one spectator per football player, but two for athletes in other sports, athletic director Marc Romano said Thursday.

Athletic officials at each school will notify parents and guardians of each athlete of more specific details if they haven't already.

As an example, here are Ledyard High School's guidelines, as issued by assistant principal/athletic director Jim Buonocore. This is pretty much what ECC schools will follow:

• LHS spectators are not allowed to attend "away" outdoor contests. Only essential personnel will travel with the team to opposing sites.

● LHS will allow two (2) adult spectators for each student-athlete for an outdoor "home" contest. The student-athlete must be on the game roster for that contest for the adult spectator to attend.

● Spectators must present the designated LHS athletic department issued pass at the ticket gate in order to attend the athletic event. Your son/daughter will bring home two (2) passes designated for his/her athletic offering which will be used for entry at home games only.

● LHS event staff will be checking in adults at each game. If you do not have the appropriate pass, you will be denied access to the event.

● Spectators must wear a proper face covering at all times when attending an LHS athletic event. Shirts and jackets will not be allowed as a face covering. Spectators must socially distance while in attendance at all athletic contests (six feet).

● Children/Siblings over the age of two will count as a spectator on site.

● Should a fellow spectator not be following our league and school expectations, please do not confront the person. Simply find an on-site school official.

● At the conclusion of each contest, spectators are to leave the facility immediately, without interacting with the coaches or student-athletes.

● There is no building access for any spectators. Porta-Johns are available on campus grounds for usage.

"We want to provide the safest possible environment for our student-athletes, coaches, and essential game personnel for all sporting events," Buonocore said. "The ECC strives to meet all requirements and guidelines set forth by the state of Connecticut and the CIAC emphasizing those two priorities: safety and the continued ability to have a fall athletic season. We will continue to make decisions that protect the health and safety of all student-athletes, coaches, officials, and essential game personnel."

Most (all?) ECC schools are equipped with cameras tied to the NFHS Network. Games will be live-streamed via the NFHS Network for a fee, allowing parents to watch their kids play away games.

We here at The Day and GameDay will be live-streaming games throughout October and into November (without a fee, by the way). Plus, you get the pithy commentary from GameDay voices Casey O'Neill, Keith O'Brien and a number of guest commentators we invite.

We will do our best.

Here's hoping you do, too. Remember: Your opinions about COVID, how it may or may not be transmitted, the value (or lack thereof) of masks and all the aforementioned guidelines are irrelevant. Those are the rules for the fall. You may not like them, but then, it beats a sharp pencil in the eye. It could be worse. It sure was a month ago.

So let's set a good example for the kids.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro