Australia’s four 2020 Little League national championships have been postponed following the introduction of further restrictions to slow the spread of coronavirus over the weekend.
Baseball Australia made the decision to postpone the Little League, Intermediate League, Junior League and Senior League national championships after the Federal Government yesterday announced restrictions on nonessential interstate travel would be implemented.
Chief executive Cam Vale told baseball.com.au yesterday’s announcement left Baseball Australia with no other option than to postpone the four championships. “We will do all we can to reschedule the four events but that will not be possible until the ban on non-essential travel lifts,” he said.
“Baseball Australia has been in regular discussion with Little League International and the impact on Australia’s involvement in the four World Series events will be determined on Little League International’s decision on the World Series and all future direction from the Federal Government on international travel.”
Vale said he felt for the baseball family and everyone impacted, but it was important the sport played its role during an unprecedented situation. “We are very grateful of the work through the past season of all participants, volunteers, clubs, charter and state associations,” he said.
“We understand this decision will come with sadness but baseball in Australia must play its part in reducing the risk of COVID-19 being spread further through the community.”
The postponement of the four Little League national events comes after Baseball Australia last week announced the 2020 Australian Women’s and Youth Women’s Baseball Championships slated for next month had been postponed.
Original Story from baseball.com.au
Consistent with Baseball Queensland’s (BQ) decision to postpone all Queensland Baseball activity from Wednesday, 18 March 2020 until Wednesday, 8 April 2020, the GBL Competition Committee has advised Baseball Queensland that the GBL summer baseball competition should now conclude prior to the finals series commencing.
Considering the advice received to date, the precautions taken by Baseball Queensland and time required for athletes to prepare after the resumption of regular activities the GBL Committee has assessed that few opportunities exist to reschedule games.
Therefore pursuant to the following By-Laws 5.20.8 (for senior competition); 6.19.9 (for Masters) and 7.19.6 (for juniors), the GBL Competition Committee congratulates the following teams for winning their respective Division Premiership by virtue of finishing on top of their Division ladder. View the graphic below for the Division Premiers.
Winners of the various GBL awards will be announced in due course over the next week or so.
The GBL Competition Committee would like to thank and congratulate all GBL Clubs on a very successful summer season where our sport has continued to grow. The GBL Competition Committee would also like to thank the hard-working Club Committees, Presidents and Secretaries. We also appreciate the BQ Board and the BQ staff for their support and assistance.
The GBL Competition Committee would also like to acknowledge Glen Long, our GBL Competition Administrator for all his hard work and commitment to our sport.
Baseball Queensland would like to thank the GBL Competition Committee members who continue to demonstrate their passion and commitment to making our sport better every season.
Baseball Queensland is more grateful than ever for the dedicated commitment of our community. We acknowledge your sacrifices and share your passions for our great game.
Like you, we look forward to getting back to playing, administering, coaching, umpiring, scoring, groundskeeping for, and watching the game we all love.
Baseball Queensland, in this unprecedented and unique situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, is taking a lead from international and national sporting codes to postpone all Queensland Baseball activity from Wednesday, 18 March 2020 until Wednesday, 8 April 2020.
Decisions in relation to the health and safety of our baseball community have been given careful consideration. Following consultations with the federal and state government, Sport Australia and Baseball Australia and our state and territory baseball counterparts, we are postponing our non-essential static gatherings as a precautionary action to assist in stopping the spread of this virus to the most vulnerable members of our communities.
Baseball Queensland and all our member clubs and associations will cease, for 21 days, all training, club activities and team meetings, as well as events, tournaments and competitions.
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Baseball Queensland, in consultation with Baseball Australia and the Queensland State Government, is providing these COVID-19 Facts:
- WASH hands often with soap and running water, for at least 20 seconds. DRY with a paper towel or hand dryer.
- TRY not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
- COVER your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow.
- ISOLATE yourself at home if you feel sick. If you take medication, ensure you have adequate supplies.
- PHONE your GP first if you need medical attention. They will tell you what to do.
- CONTINUE healthy habits: exercise, drink water, get plenty of sleep.
- DON’T wear a facemask if you are well.
- SHAKING HANDS is optional – at Baseball this weekend, we fist bump!
If you are concerned, call the Coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398 (24 hours)
The following is a statement outlining Baseball Australia’s position relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 across Australia, and key pieces of information that stakeholders across the country need to be informed of as of the 13th of March 2020.
We want to reassure our baseball community that we are in regular consultation with the key departments of Government, both Federal and State, and are monitoring the public health situation and any possible impacts as a result of COVID-19 (also known as ‘coronavirus’).
