Summer leagues update

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep its grasp on American life, summer baseball leagues around the country have to make decisions on how to go about their 2020 seasons. 

Two weeks ago the Valley Baseball League became the first collegiate summer league to cancel its season. I figured that this would kick off a domino effect of other leagues making the same decision, but so far there hasn't been much news, which is a good thing.

Unfortunately, though, the Golden State Collegiate Baseball League in California made the decision to axe its 2020 season yesterday. As far as I know it joins the Valley League as the only two to cancel their seasons so far, but it's likely that more will follow in their footsteps as we get closer to the summer.

​The Northwoods League, which operates in the Midwest, released a statement yesterday regarding its contingency plans for the upcoming season. The league says it has been closely monitoring the developments of the pandemic and has been looking at numerous scenarios so that it can play baseball when it is safe to do so. 

However, due to Wisconsin's stay-at-home order being extended through May 26, the same day the Northwoods League was scheduled to begin play, the league's season will now be delayed. 

The league is still looking at multiple scenarios and trying to figure out how to best to about its season. 

According to a tweet from WFRV's Kyle Malzhan, Dick Radatz, Jr., Chairman of the Northwoods League, said "If they're not playing, I don't see how we're going to be playing," referring to Major League and Minor League Baseball. 

Interesting quote from the Chairman of the Northwoods League, Dick Radatz Jr: “If they’re (MLB/MiLB) not playing, I don’t see how we’re going to be playing.”

CC: @CollegeSummerBB @KendallRogers @aaronfitt pic.twitter.com/YZpok68Qms

— Kyle Malzhan (@KyleMalzhan) April 17, 2020

There's still a little over a month before most summers leagues are scheduled to begin play, and anything could happen in that month. The situation in the U.S. could get better, or we could see social distancing restrictions extended further. All we can do now is continue to stay home, wash your hands and hope that we have summer baseball. 

If you have any updates on summer baseball leagues in your area, please reach out to me through the contact form on my website. I'd love to tell your story.