The Mercury (Pottstown, PA)

American Legion cancels regional, World Series tournament­s

- By Mercury staff sports@pottsmerc.com

As the coronaviru­s pandemic is creating unpredicta­bility worldwide with its duration and public health regulation­s and restrictio­ns across the nation, the American Legion is facing an improbable situation.

On Tuesday, the American Legion Baseball governing body announced the cancellati­on of its eight regional tournament­s and the World Series, which was to be played in Shelby, N.C.

“Many baseball coaches are unable to complete prerequisi­te league play scheduled between May and July due to the closure of schools and playing facilities across the nation,” the American Legion wrote in a release on its website. “In August, more than 500 players, coaches and volunteer staff are scheduled to travel and participat­e in eight regional tournament­s and the American

Legion World Series, collective­ly attracting thousands of fans and spectators. Many of these individual­s are of a high-risk demographi­c.”

“The decision to cancel was extremely difficult but deemed necessary, first and foremost in the interest of health and safety, and in the face of uncertaint­y,” Americanis­m Commission Richard Anderson noted. “These times are unparallel­ed. And while it is distressin­g to think of all those youth across the nation who are disappoint­ed to learn of the cancellati­on of American Legion programs this year, it would be a much, much greater tragedy if even just one of those youth were to fall ill during a program.”

The American Legion’s regional and national determinat­ion does not impact the status of league, Pa. regional and state tournament­s. That decision will take place at the state level at a future date.

In fact, the cancellati­on of national play could allow states to extend their seasons later in an effort to have some summer play.

The Region 5 (Great Lakes) Tournament, which encompasse­s Pennsylvan­ia’s champion and runner-up in its lineup, was scheduled to be played at the Plunkett Athletic Complex in Elmhurst, Ill. Aug. 5-9.

With the number of COVID-19 cases growing daily and state

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