HOLYOKE – The New England Collegiate Baseball League, which includes the region’s Holyoke-based Valley Blue Sox, has canceled the 2020 summer collegiate baseball season.
According to NECBL officials, this decision made by its board of directors, which is comprised of 13 member teams and officers, was reached after a careful and thoughtful review of the guidance from federal, state and local officials, the leadership of the host communities, and recommendations from the CDC and medical community.
The conclusion was that canceling the 2020 season was necessary for the health, safety and well-being of the league’s players, coaches, umpires, volunteers, fans and host families,
“We understand that this decision will result in hardship and disappointment to our student-athletes who have already lost their college spring baseball season,” the league stated on its web site. “For this reason, it breaks our hearts and runs counter to our competitive instincts and spirit. However, our first priority and obligation must always be the health and well-being of our players and our community. We promise to use this time out, and all of our resources, to make our 2021 season something truly special for our players, coaches and fans.”
“We are part of the communities that host our member teams. We encourage our teams, as organizations, individually and working with their volunteers, to support community first responders and their local business sponsors, many of whom are restaurants that are going through difficult financial times. To show our appreciation to our host communities and supporters, we will dedicate Opening Day 2021 in each of our venues to thank, honor and support community organizations and first responders who serve on the front lines of combating COVID-19.”
The NECBL is a wood bat college summer league that fields teams in all six New England states. Partially funded by Major League Baseball, the NECBL started play in 1994 and celebrated its 25th-year anniversary season last summer.
More than 150 NECBL ball players have gone on to play in the Major Leagues with nearly 100 alumni being drafted in each of the last 10 MLB drafts. – Courtesy of Valley Blue Sox/NECBL
