MLB, MiLB Announce Official Cancellation Of 2020 Season
Jun 30, 2020, 2:42 PM | Updated: Jul 1, 2020, 4:32 pm
Smith's Ballpark in Salt Lake City is pictured on Tuesday, April 7, 2020. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Major League Baseball informed Minor League Baseball in a statement that it will not provide MiLB any players for the 2020 MiLB season and as a result the MiLB season has officially been canceled.
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News of Minor League Baseball’s cancellation comes after multiple reports in recent days said that the league would shelve the 2020 season.
On Monday, June 29, The Athletic reported that a MiLB announcement was set to take place on Tuesday, June 30.
“I think in the next 24 hours we’re going to find out what we’ve known for a month and a half now,” one minor league owner told Athletic on Monday.
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 30, 2020
Locals MiLB Clubs Affected
The 2020 season cancellation impacts minor league teams in the state of Utah including the Salt Lake Bees, Ogden Raptors, and Orem Owlz.
Salt Lake Bees
“While the Salt Lake Bees are disheartened for our community by the cancellation of the 2020 season, we understand today’s decision and believe public health and safety certainly take precedence during the coronavirus pandemic,” Bees president Marc Amicone said in a statement. “Minor league baseball has been part of summertime in Salt Lake City for more than a century, and we will miss the opportunity to gather at Smith’s Ballpark for America’s pastime in one of baseball’s most beautiful settings. We thank our fans and partners for their continued loyalty and appreciate the players, coaches and staff for their dedication to the franchise. Our Triple-A affiliation with the Los Angeles Angels and membership in the Pacific Coast League have a strong legacy and we greatly anticipate future baseball seasons in Salt Lake City. In the meantime, please follow public health guidelines to fortify the safe return of sports.”
Ogden Raptors
“We are so disappointed that the 2020 season will not be played, but we remain committed to providing a first class atmosphere while ensuring people’s safety and health when visiting Lindquist Field, the “Best Ballpark View in the World”. As always, we will continue to support our Ogden community and look forward to Raptors Baseball returning in 2021,” Raptors president Dave Baggott said in a statement.
No MiLB in 2020
Reports of a canceled MiLB season first surfaced in April after more than a month of no live sports.
After conflicting reports, MiBL released a statement saying no such decision had been made.
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 29, 2020
Major League Baseball along with the majority of the sporting world delayed its season on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Since the postponement of play, many minor league clubs have found other ways to utilize their facilities as noted by Baseball America.
“The Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Salem-Keizer Volcanoes have turned their ballparks into Airbnb properties for fans to rent out overnight. Others have begun hosting in-park restaurants, farmers markets, drive-in movies and anything else teams can dream up to get a few drops of revenue in an otherwise arid season.” – Baseball America
