This past April, the Little League World Series was forced to cancel its seven World Series and Region Tournaments for the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time in the organization’s nearly 75-year history that any tournament was canceled, including the 10 to 12 age group that competes in South Williamsburg, PA.
Despite the disappointment that came with this past season, Little League is optimistic for the 2021 season. The organization plans to hold all seven World Series events and region tournaments, including at the historic South Williamsburg location. Player safety is the most paramount concern for Little League and guidelines are in place to ensure the safety of all those who attend games. Players and coaches must observe six feet of distance between themselves while in the dugout. No personal equipment will be permitted in the dugout but instead should be spaced accordingly outside the dugout. Equipment will not be shared between players and will be disinfected after each use. To ensure player safety on the field of play, umpires will be required to wear a mask and will rotate baseballs every two innings. Perhaps, the biggest changes will come to standard baseball etiquette and customs. During the 2021 season, post-game handshakes will not be allowed. Baseball players are accustomed to chewing gum and sunflower seeds; however, neither of these iconic snacks will be permitted this coming season. While COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the previous little league season, Little League hopes to provide a safe and fun environment for players and fans at the 2021 World Series events. “Coming up with a plan for COVID-19 is not easy,” Dean Warlitner, President of Harrisonburg Little League, said. “We will have to abide by all federal, state, and local rules for the best way to ensure player and spectator safety.” HLLA will have its First Pitch meeting Jan. 19, 2021 at the Horizon's Edge Sports Complex. Follow the Facebook and Instagram pages to stay up to date on HLLA's upcoming season.
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DisclaimerHLLA Story is an official blog site of the Harrisonburg Little League Association. All content is managed by Bluestone Communications, a student-run public relations agency at James Madison University. Please contact Isaac Woo ([email protected]), faculty director of Bluestone Communications, if you have any questions about the blog or the stories. Archives
April 2021
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