The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Crushers, league in holding pattern
The Frontier League and the Lake Erie Crushers are in a holding pattern because of the novel coronavirus.
The Frontier League released a statement March 12 that reads, “The leadership of the Frontier League is following the events associated with the coronavirus very closely. The virus spread and impact is currently changing daily. The sports industry is responding in a variety of ways and is being tracked daily.
“The Frontier League season is set to start regular-season games in mid-May. League officials will be assessing federal, state, and local governmental rules and regulations associated with the virus. We will also be reviewing the actions and recommendations of other professional baseball leagues. At the appropriate time, we will provide updates on the upcoming season. Safety of our fans, staff, and players is the first priority for our league management and owners.”
Crushers President and CEO Tom Kramig said that his team is moving forward.
“Most of the staff is working from home and we are reaching out to our clients to keep them in the loop as to the status of the 2020 season,” Kramig said in an email to The Morning Journal. “We will continue to do so as the situation continues to develop.”
Frontier League spring training opens April 30. The Crushers’ team web site has their first regularseason home game scheduled for June 6 against Florence. Kramig said his players have been preparing for the season.
“From what I have seen online, most are working out at home,” Kramig said.
The Crushers are also set to host the 28th annual Frontier League Tryout Camp and Draft on April 27 and 28 at Crushers Stadium in Avon. Kramig said that the tryout camp is on as scheduled and nothing has changed.
All 14 of the Frontier
League teams will attend the event. The camp will have position drills, batting practice and bullpen sessions on April 27 for players to showcase their talent. The following day, inter-squad games will be held prior to the draft, which follows the conclusion of the games.
Lake Erie will have a new manager in the dugout this season as former manager Cam Roth was hired by the Detroit Tigers in December. The 2019 Frontier League Manager of the Year will work in the Tigers’ minor-league system. He compiled a 197-187 record since taking over as manager halfway through the 2016 season.
The Crushers hired Dan Rohn as their new manager in January. He previously managed the Frontier League’s Traverse City Beach Bums from 2014 to 2018, and won the Frontier League championship in 2015.
The Crushers made fulland half-season ticket plans as well as mini-plans available for purchase in December. Kramig said single-game tickets will go on sale to the public on March 25.