Swine flu ruining sports all over Texas

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/29/SP1O17BIP8.DTL

The move suspends the baseball and softball seasons and eliminates the regional track championships that were to start Friday, said Charles Breithaupt, executive director of the University Interscholastic League. He said league officials acted on the recommendation of public health officials.

School officials say 53,000 students are out of school due to concern over the virus, and dozens of schools were closed.

In Bridgeview, Ill., A few fans wore surgical masks and hand sanitizers were installed around Toyota Park as thousands watched the Chicago Fire play an exhibition against Mexico's Club America, whose players received medical clearance before traveling.

Meantime in Mexico, the Nationwide Tour has postponed the Mexico Open golf tournament May 21-24 until later in the year and the nation's soccer games will remain only for players.

All 176 professional matches this weekend will be played behind closed doors, with fans staying home to avoid the outbreak suspected of causing at least 160 deaths in Mexico. At least six top-division matches - normally only on pay-per-view - will be available on free TV channels.

Mexican officials are suggesting clubs will lose about $2 million in ticket sales.