March 19, 2024

Little League Baseball on Hold - Until at least May 11th

Posted

Today, was supposed to be opening day for Major League Baseball. With the world paralyzed by the current pandemic the sound of a baseball bat hitting a ball is eerily missing today. This, of course, has stalled play in Little League baseball. East Providence's three leagues - Rumford, Riverside and Central are being shut out until at least May 11th. At that time Little League headquarters will make a further decision. Below is a statement issued by LL Baseball:

"The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is rapidly changing the way that we, as global citizens, think, act, gather, learn, and live our daily lives. And, yes, that also means how we play Little League.

With the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Little League International Board of Directors and staff is now strongly advising all its local Little League programs to suspend/delay their Little League seasons through no earlier than Monday, May 11. We implore you to follow this recommendation and suspend all Little League activities through no earlier than May 11.

We recognize that this is the heart of the traditional Little League season, and we share in the great disappointment that many are feeling surrounding this additional pause in the 2020 season. However, it is our hope that by doing this, we will all play a small, but important part in flattening the curve in the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

We will continue to consult with appropriate medical advisors, government health officials and our volunteer leaders around the world, and we are committed to doing the best we can for the safety and well-being of our players, families, volunteers, and fans.

As this situation evolves, Little League International is committed to sharing the best guidance possible for all of our 6,500 leagues in more than 84 countries. It is our sincere hope that we can find ways to bring everyone back to the Little League fields this season, whether that’s later this spring or throughout the summer.

Currently, Little League International is working through all possible scenarios for the 2020 Little League International Tournament and tournament eligibility for our leagues and players in our various divisions of play."~ Little League HQ

East Providence High School Athletic Director and former High School Baseball Head Coach, noted baseball guru, and lover of those NY Yankees - Rep. Gregg Amore, posted this on social media today:

"Today was scheduled to be opening day but ballparks across America will be empty and dark. Baseball's opening day has always been the first sign of spring and the gateway into the warm sunny days of summer. It is a day that is filled with hope and pageantry. Field of Dreams character Terrence Mann eloquently captured baseball's place in the American consciousness with these words.

"And they'll walk out to the bleachers, and sit in shirt-sleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game, and it'll be as if they'd dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick, they'll have to brush them away from their faces.

The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It's been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time.
This field, this game -- it's a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again".

"The boys of summer, like America, will be back, and it will be a reminder of normalcy and rebirth ...and baseball will mark the time." - Gregg Amore -

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

Share!
Truly local news delivered to every home in town