By: Mike Glesinger
While the Major League Baseball season remains on hold, The Alliance First National Spartans, Junior and Senior legion teams are hoping to play a full season this summer. Earlier this week , American Legion Baseball Chairman, Richard Anderson, released the following statement:
"American Legion Baseball’s highest priority is the health, well-being and safety of all our participants, families, volunteers and fans. Currently the National American Legion Baseball schedule remains in place per dates approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC); however, the schedule is subject to the respective state restrictions where the Regional and World Series tournaments are scheduled. It remains the goal of the Americanism Commission to hold our Regional and World Series tournaments this summer if possible.
Your National American Legion Baseball Committee continues monitoring COVID-19 developments through Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the COVID-19 updates from National Commander James W. "Bill" Oxford at legion.org. We are committed to communicating with you on a consistent basis and provide you with additional information as it becomes available.
We realize this pandemic results in all of us taking concerted steps and making important decisions regarding the 2020 baseball season. For now, we ask you to review the guidelines, restrictions and regulations established by local, state and federal governments to ensure doing whatever is required for the safety and well-being of everyone involved. The more prepared we are moving into this 2020 program season, the better we are in the face of all possible contingencies.
As this point, based on known school districts, local, state and federal restrictions and regulations, the American Legion Baseball Committee strongly encourages and recommends that departments suspend all baseball activities (team meetings, tryouts, practices, etc.) until all restrictions have been lifted.
Locally, Spartans General Manager Marty Dean says "as of March 27, 2020, The Alliance First National Spartans are planning to play this summer as allowed....We will stay within the guidlines that have been set forth by the CDC, Governor, City of Alliance and the American Legion."
"We are still planning our enchilada fundraiser, and when supplies are restocked and restrictions have been lifted, we will be making the enchiladas at a date still to be determined and get them to our supporters. "
"Players are selling the Bull pen raffle tickets, which double as a family season pass and we plan to hold the raffle even if the season is not played"
"Remember this is a time to support our local businesses as they provide much needed support in our communities for youth activities. Please buy local to support those who support us."
The First National Spartans are scheduled to open their season on May 15-16-17, hosting a Junior Tournament at Bower-Shankland Field. The Junior and Senior Spartans are scheduled to host Westco, May 19. The 2020 season schedule in available at www.alliancespartans.com.