Due to the spread of the Coronavirus and for the safety of all of our players, coaches, fans and volunteers the National Headquarters has cancelled the 2020 American Legion Baseball Regionals, World Series and Department Tournaments for the 2020 Season.  Therefore we are cancelling the 2020 American Legion Baseball season in Washington State. If you purchased insurance for this season you can get a refund by contacting the Insurance Company, their phone number should be on your policy. National Headquarters will refund any fees they charged you as well. It is important that all teams adhere to the Washington State shutdown of the 2020 season and not play any games or tournaments representing the American Legion. The Washington State Baseball Commission will be discussing options over the next month and feel free to contact your local Commissioner for your ideas and thoughts.

Don Hays, Chairman

WA State American Legion Baseball

chairman@wastatealb.org

WALB family.

Chairman Don Hays continues to be in continuous contact with officials at the National level regarding plans for American Legion baseball in the summer of 2020.

To date, there has been NO decision made regarding the cancellation or the suspension of the season at a National level.  National continues to monitor the overall progress of Corona Virus in the United States and has cancelled some near-term events in April.  Nothing related to baseball.

With that said, we all recognize that the state of Washington is the “epicenter” of the virus outbreak.  The WALB commission recommends that teams consider the direction from Governor Inslee, Washington State Department of Health and the CDC and at a minimum practice “social distancing” and restrict individuals in the “high-risk” category during any pending tryouts or team meetings.

We are committed to everyone’s safety and will work with the necessary authorities to reach a decision regarding the 2020 season as soon as practical.

Finally, any team wishing to withdraw from any WALB sanctioned league or tournament can do so at any time with no penalties.

Yours in Legion Baseball

WALB Commission

American Legion Baseball’s highest priority is the health, well-being and safety of all our participants, families, volunteers and fans. Currently the National American Legion Baseball schedule remains in place per dates approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC); however, the schedule is subject to the respective state restrictions where the Regional and World Series tournaments are scheduled. It remains the goal of the Americanism Commission to hold our Regional and World Series tournaments this summer if possible. 

Your National American Legion Baseball Committee continues monitoring COVID-19 developments through Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the  COVID-19 updates from National Commander James W. "Bill" Oxford at legion.org.  We are committed to communicating with you on a consistent basis and provide you with additional information as it becomes available.

We realize this pandemic results in all of us taking concerted steps and making important decisions regarding the 2020 baseball season.  For now, we ask you to review the guidelines, restrictions and regulations established by local, state and federal governments to ensure doing whatever is required for the safety and well-being of everyone involved. The more prepared we are moving into this 2020 program season, the better we are in the face of all possible contingencies.

As this point, based on known school districts, local, state and federal restrictions and regulations, the Americanism Baseball Committee strongly encourages and recommends that departments suspend all baseball activities (team meetings, tryouts, practices, etc.) until all restrictions have been lifted.  This recommendation has the endorsement of the national Americanism Commission.