2020 MLB Little League Classic Presented by GEICO Also
Canceled; Event Will Return in 2021
After a thorough assessment of the impact the devastating
COVID-19 pandemic has had on 6,500 community-based Little League® programs in
84 countries and based upon the direction of governmental and public health
authorities, and in consultation with medical professionals and our Board of
Directors, Little League International has made the difficult and
disappointing decision to cancel its seven World Series tournaments and their
respective regional qualifying events.
“This is a heartbreaking decision for everyone at Little
League International, but more so for those millions of Little Leaguers who
have dreamt of one day playing in one of our seven World Series events,” said
Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “After exhausting all
possible options, we came to the conclusion that because of the significant
public health uncertainty that will still exist several months from now, and
with direction from Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr.
Rachel Levine, as well as senior public health officials and government leaders
from locations where our other six World Series are held, as well as the their
qualifying regional tournaments, it will not be possible to proceed with our
tournaments as we’ve hosted them for nearly 75 years.”
As we assessed the feasibility of including these tournament
opportunities as part of that resumption of play, a number of factors went into
the decision to cancel the World Series and Regional Tournaments, including:
The inability to play qualifying tournaments in many of our
U.S. and International regions, coupled with direction from federal officials
regarding the complexity of international travel restrictions and immigration
requirements.
An indication from teams from around the globe that they
will be unable to participate or travel to these tournaments.
The testing and mitigation protocols that would need to be
in place at these significant public events should an individual participating
or attending an event be diagnosed with COVID-19.
The cancellation includes the 82 regional qualifying
tournaments and their respective seven World Series events:
Little League Baseball – South Williamsport, Pa.
Little League Softball® – Greenville, N.C.
Intermediate (50/70) Baseball – Livermore, Calif.
Junior League Baseball – Taylor, Mich.
Junior League Softball – Kirkland, Wash.
Senior League Baseball – Easley, S.C.
Senior League Softball –Sussex County, Del.
As 2021 was originally supposed to be the playing of the
75th Little League Baseball World Series, that celebration will now take place
in 2022. More information about World Series locations and future dates can be
found at www.LittleLeague.org.
As a result of this decision, the 2020 MLB Little League
Classic presented by GEICO, originally scheduled for August 23 between the
Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles, has also been canceled. Major League
Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association have already
committed to returning to Williamsport for the 2021 MLB Little League Classic
next August.
“Delivering this news comes with a very heavy heart. We have
never had to cancel our World Series tournaments, but, right now, as our world
comes together, we must do everything we can to help stem the spread of this
deadly virus,” said Hugh E. Tanner, Little League International Board of
Directors Chairman. “While we take this pause from the World Series and
Regional Tournaments this summer, we are committed to working with our
volunteers and staff to continue to provide an unparalleled youth sports
experience to all children and be back stronger than ever in 2021.”
To assist the local Little League programs as they continue
to assess their local operations, Little League International will be crediting
all chartered programs with the affiliation fees paid for their chartered teams
in 2020, which totals approximately $1.2 million in support to local leagues.
These funds will be credited through Little League’s Data Center and be
available for local leagues to use on current balances, future affiliation and
insurance fees, tournament enrollment, and other Little League-related expenses.
As each state and community will have different guidance for
resuming organized youth sports, Little League International strongly
encourages volunteers to confirm with their local and state health officials
that it is safe to do so before resuming Little League activity after May 11.
These playing opportunities could include not only regular season activities,
but opportunities for local district, and, perhaps, state all-star tournament
play to provide players, especially those moving up to a new age division in
2021, a tournament experience, if possible and safe.
