Another piece of Americana has been sidelined by the coronavirus:
the Little League World Series. Little League International
dating back to 1939, it had canceled the annual event.
“This is a heartbreaking decision for everyone at Little League International,”
League President and CEO Stephen D. Keener said in a
press release.
The league had exhausted all possibilities after consulting with
medical professionals and taking into account government and public
health authorities, Keener added, before deciding to cancel what has
However, it doesn’t mean that there will be no Little League baseball
or softball this summer. Little League International issued season
resumption guidelines, leaving it up to the individual states to follow
for activities, depending on each state’s individual situation.
there can be a limited season.
“Right now, our policy for Little League is that there is nothing before
May 11, pending on state and local requirements,” said Carmine
Conti, the New Jersey Little League president. “We are going to leave
things to the individual localities, give them control.”
The presidents of the Little Leagues in District 19 – which includes
32 JUNE 2020 | TheJournalNJ.com
Middletown, Lincroft, Tinton Falls, Colts Neck and Two River,
among others – had a conference call with District Representative
Bud Coates. They discussed plans for a season should the
state open recreation activities in the summer. Coates reported
that a limited season (July into August) ending up with a
District Tournament was among the options and that he was
“optimistic” there could be baseball and softball this summer.
2020 season possible.
“We’re loosening things,” Conti said. “It’s all about the
season and allowing them to do their seasons. If a town wants
to have a longer season, we’ll allow it. If a town A wants to send
players to another league, Town B, we’ll grant the waver.”
The Tinton Falls Little League is one of the area leagues
longing for a season.
“TFLL is still hopeful and working toward conducting a
season this summer,” the league said on its website. “It goes
without saying that this can only happen with the approval of
coaches and families are our top priority.”
Making plans for a season, should the state give approval,
is one thing, but how much interest the players have may be
generally done by the end of June, save the all-star teams that
participate in the District Tournaments. Many families have
vacations and other plans that could interfere with a summer
Little League campaign.
It’s the leagues like Tinton Falls, Colts Neck and Middle-
-
son. Two River isn’t as fortunate, and as a result, it has had to
reluctantly cancel its 2020 season. Two River President Chuck
Jones explained that because his league used multipurpose
The Lincroft league also canceled all games.
“The board agreed that if the state did not open schools,
the Two River Little League would regrettably cancel the 2020
season,” said Jones.
With Gov. Phil Murphy announcing school closures for the
remainder of the academic year, any wishes for a 2020 season
ended. The one caveat would be a compelling directive from
the state to open recreation activities in June. The league had
planned a June 13 start to its season had schools been open.
Jones doesn’t want the players to forget the sport.
“I want the kids to get out and play some baseball and
softball in their backyards for the love and spirit of the game,”
he said.
Two River Little League plans to hold clinics during July to
Baseball dugouts are empty now because of statewide restrictions on recreation activities. Local Little provide a baseball and softball outlet for the players.
Leagues are making plans to play baseball and softball should restrictions be lifted.
/TheJournalNJ.com