No games this year
Minor League Baseball announces cancellation of the 2020 season
Across the country, small and mid-size towns received a blow on Tuesday, when Minor League Baseball announced the cancellation of the 2020 season.
While it was expected, some teams were still hopeful of a 60-game season.
But with big league clubs allowed to carry 60man rosters for the season, there simply weren’t going to be enough players to get a minor league season going, nor were the health and safety protocols ironed out.
“The International League (the oldest league in all of Minor League Baseball) traces its history back to 1884, and it is with deep regret that I confirm that for the first summer in 137 years the league will play no games in 2020,” International League president Randy Mobley said in a statement.
“Until just a few hours ago, the league and its 14 member teams continued to plan and prepare for the possibility of playing a 60-game, shortened season. Due to the many COVID-19 related challenges that would accompany staffing team rosters for a two-month season, Major League Baseball has now advised that they will not be providing players to the teams of Minor League Baseball in 2020.”
It’s a particularly tough pill to swallow for the Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket, which was set to host its 50th and final season of PawSox baseball before the team moves to Worcester.
Instead, McCoy Stadium will be the home to some Red Sox players on the taxi squad.
It’ll also continue to host “Dining on the Diamond,” where fans can reserve tables for dinner on the field during select summer nights.
The club will also explore other ways of using the 78-year old ballpark and still plans on opening the 2021 season at Worcester’s Polar Park.
“Naturally, as baseball fans, we are deeply disappointed to not have a summer of PawSox Baseball, especially in our 50th-anniversary season,” said club president Dr. Charles Steinberg. “Yet all of us recognize that the health, safety, and wellbeing of our players, fans, and entire community are paramount. But we will keep the faith; this may not be how the story ends.
“We continue to speak with the mayor of Pawtucket (Donald R. Grebien) and other public officials, about the uses this summer — and beyond — of McCoy Stadium. So many high school and college players have loved playing on this field through the years, and we will see if there is a way to continue to provide that opportunity. We have also loved welcoming so many Rhode Island families to enjoy Dining on the Diamond, and we will see if we can continue to offer that experience as well.”
Fans who have purchased tickets to Red Sox minor league games this season will have a variety of options.
Those with tickets to PawSox games will be contacted by the club and given a variety of options, including refunds.
Double-A Portland is offering fans a chance to mail their tickets back for a full refund or hold onto them and exchange them for tickets in 2021.
Single-A Salem will contact those who purchased tickets to discuss options.
And there will be no refunds offered to those with tickets for games in Lowell, but the team is offering 110% credit toward tickets in 2021.
The Red Sox begin official summer camp workouts on Friday at Fenway Park and hope to begin the MLB season on July 23 or 24.