Covid restrictions force Tuatara’s exit

AUCKLAND: The Auckland Tuatara have withdrawn from the Australian Baseball League season due to concerns about Covid19 restrictions.

New Zealand’s only professional baseball club, the Tuatara have decided not to spend another season in Australia to compete in the competition, instead informing the league on Wednesday of their decision to opt out.

In their inaugural season, the Tuatara spent most of the campaign based abroad as their home base at North Harbour Stadium was not ready for baseball.

However, last year they had the luxury of playing half the season on home soil, and made an impressive run into the playoffs before falling to eventual competition winners Melbourne in a bestofthree series.

There have been suggestions the decision will not sit well with the ABL, which could revoke the team’s licence.

It is believed the ABL would be within its rights to do so.

The Tuatara are not the only team to quit the 202021 season, GeelongKorea also yesterday confirming its decision to opt out.

Tuatara chairman Noel Davies said the club exhausted every potential angle to get a season played but the impact of Covid19 has just been too big a hurdle to overcome.

‘‘Our hands were tied thanks to the Covid19 outbreak and the restrictions and limitations caused by it,’’ Davies said.

‘‘The travel restrictions, additional costs associated with travel, quarantine costs, player availability, lack of commercial sponsorship in Covid19 times and the ongoing risk with committing to costs that cannot be recovered if we proceed any further formed the basis of the board’s decision.’’ —