Greenfield Minor League Baseball remains hopeful that players will still get a chance to hit the fields this summer.
GMLB’s Board of Directors met Thursday night, and came away still dedicated to playing some semblance of a 2020 season. League President Matt Zraunig said that would be contingent upon the state’s reopening plan remaining on schedule. Some youth sports can resume as part of Phase 2 of the four-phased system, while youth sports can resume games and tournaments with limited crowd sizes as part of Phase 3.
“We still plan on putting in the effort, however we are dependent on Phases 2 and 3 opening on time or reasonably close,” explained Zraunig.
Phase 2 has tentatively been set for June 8, with Phase 3 to follow about three weeks later.
“Keep in mind that we will have social distancing plans in place which will be posted when the time comes,” the league said in a statement released on Friday afternoon. “Also keep in mind that if Phase 2 is significantly delayed, there most likely will not be any type of season.”
If the timeline does hold, GMLB is hopeful it would be able to open up its season with games in time for Fourth of July weekend. The schedule is expected to last into August.
“We’ve had enough interest from throughout the league that we want to explore every chance to give these kids a season, under the circumstances,” Zraunig said. “Phase 2 will give us the opportunity to run practices with skills and drills. Phase 3 needs to be implemented in order for us to play games. If Phase 2 starts June 8, the Board will meet and create a schedule.”
Zraunig said 166 players participated in last year’s GMLB season, and that has been a typical enrollment size during his five years with the league. The league has reached out to potential players and their families to gauge interest for this summer.
“I think the league would be a little smaller than normal but we feel like the numbers would be good enough to place kids appropriately at different levels,” he offered.
The league offers four divisions of play — Rookies, Double A, Triple A and Majors. The season, which normally begins in April and runs into June, was delayed back on March 19 due to the coronavirus pandemic. At that same time, GMLB announced its contingency plan for the abbreviated season, choosing the Fourth of July weekend as a target date for games after a short preseason.
“Players, most likely by age, will be given a time and a field to report to,” the league said in its statement. “The schedule will be posted on Facebook and GMLB.org. Each field will have a check-in station. If a player is fully registered and paid, they simply check in and are all set. If a player is registered and not paid, they must pay $25 for the practice sessions. This amount will be applied to the $75 league fee if we do get to play games. Any player that is not registered will do so at this time and pay $25. Once it is determined that phase three will open and games will be played, the remaining $50 will be collected. Any player that has previously paid the full $75 fee, and phase three does not open in time, will be reimbursed $50 and only responsible for the practice sessions.”
The league has asked that players not sell raffle tickets as there will be no raffle this year. If players prepaid for the tickets, they will be reimbursed at a later date, or they can choose to donate that money to the league.
For more information, visit gmlb.org