April 24, 2020

Official statement from Baseball B.C.

Attention: Baseball BC Membership (and affiliated clubs)

From: BC Amateur Baseball Association

Re: COVID – 19 UPDATE

In an attempt to try and keep the baseball community updated on the current indefinite suspension of in person baseball activities please see the below information.

Be reminded that the current suspension of in person baseball activities (issued on March 17) is still in place and will remain so until such time as provincial health officers deem it appropriate to return to activity. Until such time as that occurs we strongly encourage everyone to obey the rules of the BC Health Authority, and follow all physical distancing protocols currently in place.

CANADIAN AND WESTERN CANADA CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE

It was announced today by Baseball Canada and the Western Canada Baseball Association that all 2020 Championships have been cancelled due to the ongoing Covid 19 situation. While this is disappointing news to countless athletes and families, the uncertain landscape for hosts and participants alike have left very little choice but to accept this outcome and begin to look towards 2021 and beyond.

BASEBALL BC PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS UPDATE

With today’s cancellation of both National and Western Championships for 2020, Baseball BC has elected to make the hard decision to also cancel its Provincial Championships. We would like to thank all of the hosts in place for 2020 and invite each of you to host again in 2021 as we will be looking to give priority to any of you that remain interested in hosting a Baseball BC Championship.

2020 SEASON UPDATE

While today’s news contains several cancellations of events and opportunities, we would like to take the time to ensure that this in no means should suggest we are cancelling the season. While we are not able to give any particulars about possible return dates or even what baseball might need to look like in order to return to play, please let it be known that we are working hard behind the scenes trying to bring baseball back and are working with all relevant partners and agencies on scenarios and adaptations that can be considered at such time as we receive a green light to return to play.

RETURN TO PLAY PROTOCOLS WORKING GROUP

We have assembled a working group to identify return to play protocols should the rules for physical distancing http://www.bccdc.ca/Health-Info-Site/Documents/COVID19-Physical-distancing.pdf during events be relaxed and youth sports are permitted by the Provincial Health Officer.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR LOCAL BASEBALL ORGANIZATIONS

Provincial government community gaming grant program is accepting applications from all registered, not for profit sport clubs as normal. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/gambling-fundraising/gaming-grants/community-gaming-grants Baseball BC, as well, is advocating through a variety of resources, for our clubs who may face financial hardships to receive additional public funding. We also encourage clubs to follow the ViaSport sport club grant website https://www.viasport.ca/grants for opportunities to access other forms of funding should they be appropriate.

The board and volunteers of Baseball BC are committed to our players, coaches, umpires and administrators returning to play baseball when our government and sport leaders have said we are safe to do so. We remain cautiously optimistic that this can still happen this year, and so we will work to have plans in place that will allow this to happen while protecting our members and the public, to the best of our ability.

Please direct any questions you may have on this topic to Baseball BC Executive Director David Laing at 604-586-3312.