Crushers season delayed

Season was to begin May 14, but coronavirus pandemic puts things on hold

The Lake Erie Crushers will get a late start to the season with the Frontier League announcing April 1 an official delay until further notice.

The 2020 season was scheduled to begin May 14.

But due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the league will continue monitoring the situation and announce a start date at the appropriate time.

“The safety of our fans, players and team employees is our highest priority at this time,” said League Commissioner Bill

Lee. “We are committed to doing everything in our power to play baseball in 2020, and will continue to track the pandemic as well as federal, state and local social distancing requirements in all of our markets.”

Avon’s Sprenger Stadium located at 2009 Baseball Blvd. was set to host the Frontier League’s annual tryout camp and draft April 27-28, which also was delayed.

“It is our goal to hold our tryout camp, spring training and start our season as soon as possible,” Lee said.

“Our Board of Directors is meeting weekly to monitor and

“The safety of our fans, players and team employees is our highest priority at this time.”

— Frontier League Commissioner Bill Lee

discuss the situation, and we will provide updates as the pandemic progresses.

“We ask all of our fans, players and staff members to follow the recommendations of federal, state and their local health officials in hopes of slowing the spread of this virus.”

Crushers President and Co-Owner Tom Kramig said the team is continuing to monitor the situation.

“Obviously, this situation is going to impact the Crushers financially, just as it is impacting thousands of businesses nationwide,” Kramig said. “Our staff is currently working from home, and we are monitoring the situation in hopes of playing baseball sometime this summer.”

The city of Avon-owned Sprenger Stadium was scheduled to host the NCAA’s Mid-American Conference baseball tournament in May.

On March 12, MAC Commissioner

Jon Steinbrecher in consultation with the MAC Council of Presidents and Council of Directors of Athletics announced the cancellation of the tournament along with other spring sports.

Debuting in 1993, the Frontier League is the largest and longest-running of the modern independent leagues and features teams stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River and from the Ohio River to the St. Lawrence Seaway.