Little League Baseball on Hold; Keystone Teams Anxious to Get Going

LOCK HAVEN – Baseball is on hold at virtually every level across the United States, including youth baseball in Clinton County where the Keystone Little League has established itself as one of Pennsylvania’s premier programs over the last decade.

Little League baseball from its Williamsport world headquarters recently announced that all programs are suspended through May 11. That means the Keystone league is on hold at all levels, as league administrator Rich Lyons said, “Until we hear of changes.”

Lyons called the local suspension, “A positive hold with positive thoughts, hoping the season will begin in a few short weeks” after an all-clear is given.

Keystone has won three Pennsylvania state titles in the last nine years and has one Little League World Series appearance to its credit in that span. Lyons earlier had said plans were being formulated to recognize that 2011 World Series team during a league-wide opening event in April, but those plans have been put on hold.

Keystone is hoping the season can be salvaged as its 11-year-old team won the Pennsylvania championship a year ago and finished as runner-up in the Mid-Atlantic/New England championships.

Little League headquarters had announced the season suspension last week:

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is rapidly changing the way that we, as global citizens, think, act, gather, learn, and live our daily lives. And, yes, that also means how we play Little League.With the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Little League International Board of Directors and staff is now strongly advising all its local Little League programs to suspend/delay their Little League seasons through no earlier than Monday, May 11. We implore you to follow this recommendation and suspend all Little League activities through no earlier than May 11.

We recognize that this is the heart of the traditional Little League season, and we share in the great disappointment that many are feeling surrounding this additional pause in the 2020 season. However, it is our hope that by doing this, we will all play a small, but important part in flattening the curve in the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

We will continue to consult with appropriate medical advisors, government health officials and our volunteer leaders around the world, and we are committed to doing the best we can for the safety and well-being of our players, families, volunteers, and fans.

As this situation evolves, Little League International is committed to sharing the best guidance possible for all of our 6,500 leagues in more than 84 countries. It is our sincere hope that we can find ways to bring everyone back to the Little League fields this season, whether that’s later this spring or throughout the summer.