Local baseball, softball leagues announce tentative plans

June 6, 2020 | 12:05 am

Updated June 6, 2020 | 1:20 am

Local youth baseball and softball leagues are working diligently to host a 2020 season in the midst of a pandemic, and they’ve announced various plans on when they plan to resume practices and games.

League-specific dates and information are listed below, while all youth sports must follow a strict set of guidelines and restrictions issued by the state.

Practices can begin June 15 but must be limited to 10 players and one coach for two weeks. Scrimmages and games can resume June 29. 

Labeled as low-touch outdoor sports, baseball and softball are limited to 50 spectators, and travel outside the “local community” is strictly prohibited. Utilizing publicly owned venues, both city and county organizations must adhere to the same restrictions.

Some of the more imminent restrictions and responses from leagues are as follows:

  • Social distancing strongly enforced
  • Masks are NOT required for players nor spectators but encouraged when unable to social distance appropriately
  • Officials, coaches, and volunteers/workers are required to wear a mask
  • Bleachers removed, the use of a chair is encouraged
  • Umpires positioned behind the pitcher 
  • No team water coolers – should use clearly marked individual bottles
  • No gum or sunflower seeds
  • Regular cleaning and sanitizing of facilities
  • Dugouts limited to two players at a time

Several leagues already had teams and schedules organized prior to the pandemic and are hopeful that they can keep those the same. 

Owensboro Southern Little League: Southern plays all of their contests at Southern Park on South Griffith Avenue and features leagues for individuals between the ages of 4 and 12. Unlike other leagues who are starting on June 15, they elected to begin practices on July 15 with games beginning on Aug. 10, followed by a postseason tournament on Sept. 28. 

“Postponing seemed logical so we would have more time to prepare for the changes,” said league president Jonathan Patton. “We intend on hosting a full season and we think the late start date allows for better weather and the possibility of some restrictions being lifted.”

Surveys of interest were distributed to current families to ensure that they still intend on playing. Pending responses, Southern will resort to their long waiting list of interested families to fill any voids. Refunds are available to any families wishing to withdraw from the league. 

Owensboro Eastern Cal Ripken: Eastern calls Chautauqua Park home, and they look to start Major League practices on June 15, while Minor and Rookie leagues are set to begin practice on June 22. The start of T-ball practice is yet to be determined. Eastern serves players between the ages of 3 and 12. 

They have already conducted a draft and created teams. Refund requests are reviewed on an individual basis and can be sent to [email protected]

Owensboro Western Cal Ripken: Serving children between the ages of 3 and 12, they look to begin Major division practices on June 15 with all other divisions beginning on June 21. 

Games are set to begin for Major, Minor and Rookie divisions on July 6, while a T-ball jamboree on July 11 will spark the beginning of their season. Individuals wishing to withdraw from the league are asked to contact Mike Watson at 270-993-7933 or Rosa Reyna at 270-903-9016.

Daviess County Little League: Daviess County Little Leagues utilizes parks across the county to conduct league play. They offer services ranging from 3-year-old T-ball to 20-and-under softball.

They estimate starting Major League, Minor League and Fast Pitch Softball practices on June 22 with games beginning on July 6. T-ball and Rookie League is set to start practicing June 29 with games beginning on July 20. End-of-season tournaments are tentatively scheduled for Aug. 10 and Aug. 21. Slow Pitch Softball is postponed until the fall.

Owensboro Daviess County Babe Ruth League: OCDC creates playing opportunities for individuals between the ages of 12 and 16. Though teams are in place, the league is going to extend its registration deadline to June 15. 

Practices are set to commence on June 15 with games beginning on July 6, followed by a postseason tournament in September. 

Owensboro Catholic League Summer Sports: The Catholic league offers baseball and softball for players between the ages of four and 13. They boast a six-field facility located behind St. Pius X on U.S. 60. 

They elected to start fresh with a new registration process for the 2020 season that will remain open through the end of June. Practices are set to begin in July while games will run from late July through September. 

June 6, 2020 | 12:05 am

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