Empty MLB Ballparks to Pipe in Video Game Crowd Noise

Big league players will still hear the roar of the crowd even though the stands will be empty when the baseball season opens next week.  Taking a cue from two European soccer leagues, Major League Baseball will play crowd noise from its official video game through ballpark sound systems during games.  Read more here.

MiLB Shelves Season

PRESS RELEASE – Major League Baseball™ (MLB™) has informed Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) that it will not be providing its affiliated Minor League teams with players for the 2020 season. As a result, there will not be a Minor League Baseball season in 2020.

Atlantic League Clubs Announce Updated 2020 Plans

PRESS RELEASE – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball today announced that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several member clubs have not gained necessary approval from governmental and health officials to open their ballparks to a capacity level sufficient for participation. As a result, the 2020 schedule for each team has been opened up, with clubs permitted to seek new solutions for this season that conform to their current governmental guidelines in order to get ballparks opened and begin play.

Five NWL Teams Will Begin Play July 1 in Regional ‘Minnesota-Iowa Pod’

PRESS RELEASE – Another “pod” of Northwoods League teams comprised of the Willmar Stingers, Mankato MoonDogs, Rochester Honkers, St. Cloud Rox and the Waterloo Bucks will return for play this summer starting July 1. The season for this pod will last until August 20th with the team holding the best winning percentage being declared the winner.

The NWL and Kingfish Announce Plans for 2020 Season

PRESS RELEASE – The Northwoods League and the Kenosha Kingfish are happy to announce that the Kingfish will be taking the field this summer in front of fans at Simmons Field.

Six Northwoods League Teams Will Begin Play July 1 in Regional ‘Wisconsin-Illinois Pod’

PRESS RELEASE – Another “pod” of Northwoods League teams comprised of the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders, the Green Bay Booyah, the La Crosse Loggers, the Rockford Rivets, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, and the Wisconsin Woodchucks will return for play this summer starting July 1st.

West Coast League Cancels 2020 Season

PRESS RELEASE – This week the West Coast League’s board of directors voted to cancel its 2020 summer collegiate season, due to pandemic-related safety guidelines and travel restrictions across Washington and Oregon. Concurrently, league members Cowlitz, Port Angeles, Ridgefield, Walla Walla, and Yakima Valley are cancelling their respective seasons.

Prospect League Cancels 2020 Season

PRESS RELEASE – Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting government regulations, the Prospect League has made the heartbreaking determination to cancel the 2020 season. The decision was based on the varying guidelines for safety, protection and limits on public gatherings and travel across the five states that are home to Prospect League teams.

MINK League Cancels 2020 Season

PRESS RELEASE – Under the recommendation of MINK League Commissioner Ron Rodriguez, the league has elected to cancel the 2020 season. This decision was made due to the ongoing nationwide COVID-19 pandemic and the many uncertainties that still remain. The league prioritizes player, staff, and guest safety above all other factors.

Milkmen Announce Milky Way Drive-In at Ballpark Commons, Movies Begin May 22

PRESS RELEASE – The Milwaukee Milkmen announced today a partnership with Franklin Tourism and Studio Gear to bring back a vintage movie-going experience via the brand-new Milky Way Drive-In at Ballpark Commons located in Franklin, WI.

Minor League Baseball Facing Crisis Never Imagined

A Sports Illustrated survey of minor league organizations, sent to all teams in late April, shows just how desperate the situation has become. The responses of 68 clubs—in addition to interviews with executives representing 21 of those teams—make clear that the minor leagues are facing a crisis that could destroy professional baseball in cities across the country.  Read more here.  This could apply to independent professional and summer collegiate clubs as well.

Mallards Transforming Duck Pond Into Drive-In Theater Starting May 20

PRESS RELEASE – Take me out to the…movies? That’s right! The Madison Mallards have announced that the Duck Pond is transforming into the Duck Pond Drive-In Theater! Drive-In Theaters were just given the approval to open this week and the Duck Pond Drive-In will be the first to open in Dane County.

“Nopening Day” Today for St. Paul Saints

PRESS RELEASE – In an alternate universe the St. Paul Saints sixth season at CHS Field opens with all the pomp and circumstance of a home opener, a sold out crowd watching a banner raising ceremony, getting another look at the 2019 championship trophy, and a chance to put a tidy bow on their title run by honoring last season’s team. With the season postponed until July, the Saints are setting up for the most unique start to a season in franchise history with the first, and hopefully only, Nopening Day.

Summer Collegiate Seasons Canceled or Postponed, Tracker Available

Once the spring season was officially canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic and the dust began to settle on the Division I Council’s decisions about eligibility, aid and roster limits, eyes at the college level turned to summer ball as the next domino that could potentially fall.  Read more and view tracker here.

NECBL Announces Cancellation of 2020 Season

PRESS RELEASE – The New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) has announced that its board of directors, comprised of executives from its 13 member teams and officers, have voted to cancel the 2020 summer collegiate baseball season.

Expedition League Postpones Start of 2020 Season

PRESS RELEASE – The Expedition League has been closely monitoring the developments regarding COVID-19 and the corresponding directives from Federal, State and Local governmental authorities. While none of the four great states where Expedition League teams play – North Dakota,

Little League Cancels 2020 World Series and Region Tournaments

Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Little League International has made the difficult and disappointing decision to cancel its World Series and Region Tournaments for first time in organization history.  Read more here.

Coastal Plain League Announces Season Delayed Until July 1

PRESS RELEASE – The Coastal Plain League and its 15 franchises released the following official statement on Wednesday, April 29th in regards to their upcoming 2020 season.

Realigned MLB Could Begin Play by July 2

Major League Baseball officials have become cautiously optimistic this week that the season will start in late June, and no later than July 2, playing at least 100 regular-season games, according to three executives with knowledge of the talks. They requested anonymity because the plan is still under consideration.  Read more and view possible realignment here.

Goldpanners Cancel Season, Midnight Sun Game

The Alaska Goldpanners (Summer Collegiate) have canceled their 2020 season due to coronavirus, marking the first summer since 1960 without Goldpanner baseball in Fairbanks (AK).  The 115th annual Midnight Sun Game, a baseball game played the night of the summer solstice without the use of artificial light, also has been canceled.  Read more here.

Cardboard Fans Cheer On CPBL Teams in Taiwan

Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) has resumed its 2020 season with cardboard cutouts of spectators in the stands to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.  Read more here.

Despite COVID-19, Construction Continues on MLB Field of Dreams

Major League Baseball has yet to determine whether there will be a season because of the spread of the coronavirus across the U.S. But construction continues on the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville (IA) where a game is still scheduled to be played between the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox on August 13.  Read more here.

Cape Cod League Votes to Cancel 2020 Season

PRESS RELEASE – The Cape Cod Baseball League Executive Committee has voted unanimously to cancel the 2020 Cape Cod Baseball League season. The decision was based on the health concerns and safety needs of all involved. Following CDC guidelines and medical recommendations, the league determined it would be impossible to guarantee the safety of players, coaches, umpires, host families, volunteers and fans during this unprecedented health crisis.

Considering Texas as a Mid-American Hub to Start MLB Season

North Texas has more to offer than just the new Rangers ballpark should MLB decide to start the pandemic-delayed 2020 baseball season with teams grouped together in different regions.  Read more here.

Bellingham Bells Cancel Season, West Coast League Prepares to Play

KBO to Start Playing May 5

The South Korean baseball league announced it will start its delayed season on May 5, and wasted no time getting preseason games going.  The teams will play initially without fans.  Read more here.

Get Your Ballpark Food Fix

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are offering their fans Ballpark Dinners To-Go on Tuesday, April 28.  Fans may order dinner online through the team’s website and pickup their order any time between 4:30pm and 6:30pm on that day.  Read more here.  The Clinton LumberKings are offering curbside ballpark food pickup too.  Read more here.  Click here for Order Form.

American Association Postpones Start of 2020 Season

The Board of Directors of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball has postponed the start of the 2020 regular season, which was scheduled for May 19.

Uncertainty Surrounds MiLB’s Season

While most everyone involved in MiLB is cautiously optimistic publicly, the reality is it is going to be quite difficult for any MiLB team to play at all this year. In off-the-record discussions with people all around the game, there is a near-universal acknowledgement that there are a massive amount of hurdles that have to be overcome to make any MiLB season happen.  Read more here.

Sorry, We’re Back!

Many of you may have been wondering where we have been over the past month or more.  We’re sorry we have left you hanging.  Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has substantially impacted us from a time commitment and focus standpoint.  You should know that this is a site driven solely by volunteer hours, which have been impacted by significant outside obligations and commitments during this crisis.  We’re doing out best to get back up and running.  Please stay safe and healthy!

MiLB Statement Regarding Delay of 2020 Season

PRESS RELEASE – Minor League Baseball (MiLB) issued the following statement today:

“In light of the current coronavirus outbreak, and after consultation with medical professionals and our partners at Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball will delay the start of the 2020 Championship Season. We will continue to monitor the developments and will announce additional information about the 2020 season at a later date. We will work with Major League Baseball and our community partners to resume play as soon as it is safe to do so. The health and safety of Minor League Baseball fans, players and executives is our top priority, and our thoughts are with those around the world who have been affected by this outbreak.”

MLB Suspends Operations in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Major League Baseball has decided to “suspend baseball operations indefinitely” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Read more here.