Local Little Leagues can do little but hope season isn't lost to coronavirus outbreak

Picture clouds of dust behind a tractor dragging the infield.

The smell of freshly cut outfield grass.

A perfectly lined batter’s box and baselines.

Half a dozen coaches crowding the diamond, offering instruction, encouragement or correction.

Cheers from parents, grandparents and siblings in crowded bleachers.

In the middle of it all are Little Leaguers — young and promising baseball and softball players, full of excitement, energy and potential … if they get a chance to play.

The Little League International board of directors for baseball and softball has recommended organizations nationwide suspend play until at least May 11.

The coronavirus pandemic has decimated the world of sports, from the professional level down to the ballfields of Western Pennsylvania.

Many youth baseball and softball leagues had hoped to hold opening day ceremonies in early April, but those plans have been dashed by quarantines and social distancing.

“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,” wrote Little League president Stephen Keener in a letter to volunteer coaches and board members.

What this means is Little Leaguers could be playing into the dog days of summer or, possibly, not at all.

Play ball?

District administrators and league presidents spend weeks setting up schedules, making rosters and coordinating practice time. The pandemic has thrown organizers a curveball, forcing plans to be scrapped and contingencies to be considered.

West Point Little League president Tom Rennie said their directors and board members have been working through options to maximize play into the summer, but they are relying on guidance from Little League International before finalizing anything.

“The board, our directors and myself have been working on plans for timing our drafts, practices and games,” he said, citing lights on the league’s majors field, “but we are in a holding pattern due to the unknown timing of our season.”

Deadlines

The Little League World Series is scheduled for Aug. 20-30 in Williamsport. That means eligible teams must adhere to a strict schedule to get in all-star tournaments, notably section, district and state competition that typically begins in late June, though that timeline could be altered.

There are more than 6,500 leagues in 84 countries. Many of those leagues participate in the annual Little League International Tournament.

Some organizations are considering forgoing the all-star events and just planning regular-season competition deep into the summer months.

“Creative scheduling opportunity abounds if players remain available,” said Joe Walkovich, who oversees six leagues and around 1,500 players in District 7 in Armstrong and Indiana counties.

“If leagues forgo participation in the official Little League Tournament, then the regular season could end with a district championship that would likely be completed by the end of July.”

Washed out?

Sports fans already have watched as the NCAA basketball tournament was canceled. They see the possibility of a similar fate for the NHL and NBA seasons.

So could the Little League spring season be wiped out?

“You have to do what you have to do. No coach wants to put the players in harm’s way,” said Doug Talmadge, administrator for District 26, which includes 12 leagues in parts of the A-K Valley and Westmoreland County.

While league administrators are hoping it doesn’t come to that, they are optimistic things could be back to normal in time for fall ball.

“While we certainly hope that is not the case, it is a real possibility,” said Rennie, who said there are more than 500 players in West Point’s baseball, softball and Challenger programs.

“Our league has a built a very competitive fall baseball season at our facility across all our divisions. Our girls softball continues to play in to the fall as well, in another area league. I would think at some point there will be softball and baseball played at our complex.”

What’s next?

Local organizations are taking a wait-and-see approach, staying in contact with Little League International via district administrators.

The governing body is relying on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and guiding member leagues based on recommendations that are in the best interest of the health and well being of all involved.

After originally recommending an April 6 start date, last week the timeline moved to May 11. That day also is tentative.

“The biggest struggle for us right now is simply not knowing the timing of it all,” Rennie said. “We have the resources to get things up and running in a hurry for the leagues.

“We have a lot of experienced coaches, directors, parent volunteers that are ready help in any way once we are given the OK to start. The only question is when?”