Coaches and Managers,

The League Directors met last week to review multiple scenarios on running the High School Fall Baseball League in a safe manner that promoted the health and well-being of everyone involved.  This includes each of you, as well as players, umpires, field managers, parents and fans.  As we went through the different scenarios and necessary protocols, and reached out to others within the baseball community for their views and assistance, it became very clear to us that the logistics of running the league, during a pandemic period, could not be effectively managed – at least, not managed in a manner that protected everyone in a manner that we were comfortable with.  As a result, we are cancelling the 2020 High School Fall Baseball season.

As Directors, this league has always been about the players, first and foremost.  They are the basis for all the decisions that we make, problems that we look to solve, and opportunities that we seek to provided. We thought that it was important to have an open letter to the players in the league, past and present, to understand the basis of our decision.  We are going to pursue printing the letter in the newspaper in order that the basis for the cancelling the league is known and not misrepresented as the messaging filters through the players.

In closing, while the decision to cancel the season was clear, the impact of that decision was difficult for all of us.  But, the correct decision was made and we stand by it.  I am extremely proud of the directors, and others that we contacted, on being leaders in the baseball community and having the fortitude to make tough decisions.  

Bill Bathel. Mark DiFranco and Dan Welch

Dear Players,

For 17 years, the High School Fall Baseball League has been there for you, and together we have experienced and reached several milestones.  Among these were:

• Expanding the league so more of you could play, and you could play a lot more teams.  We went from five teams per season to upwards of 30 teams, reaching into several your communities within western Massachusetts and Connecticut. 
• Engaging local colleges and universities with the league, primarily to support an all-star game to give you and your family a long-lasting memory.
• Establishing a league Hall of Fame (of sorts) that acknowledged iconic members of our local baseball community.  We recognized them in front of you at the all-star game or when holding playoffs to show the recipients our appreciation and to let them bask in the sun with you – the future of the game.
• Providing learning sessions for you and your parents with speakers that included educators, college and high school coaches, and even a couple of players and a coach from the major league ranks.  They spoke from the heart on their personal experiences, including what you could expect playing baseball in college or the major leagues.
• And, there were many more that you remember, but we may have forgotten.
  

These successes have occurred, in part, because we constantly put the your best interest first and foremost in our minds.  You essentially had a seat at the table with us, and were part of all the decisions that were made.  But, we can’t forget, there were so many others in our baseball family that looked out for your best interest too i.e., the coaches, umpires, school administrators, field managers, parents…and the list goes on.   But, with all that said, the league still focuses on you, the player – hands down.

We all recognize that we’re faced with a pandemic which is nothing short of “nasty” and it threatens all of our health and well-being.  This pandemic has disrupted our lives and touched upon everything we do, every day.  We all look for ways to make it the way it was, bringing back all those things we did just a few short months ago, including playing ball on the diamond.  We all know, that just can’t happen – not yet.  

Yesterday, the League Directors met to review all of the different ways to allow you to play in the league this year.  We discussed how to give this year’s players the same experience that players have had for the past 17 years.  While all that information was overwhelming, what made it easier is that we kept that one primary theme front and center, and that was you, the player – we had to keep your best interest at heart of all our conversations.  And with that in mind, the decision became very clear to us, we must cancel this season. 

As Directors, we understood that you and all the players need to get playing again -- playing ball.  But we could not, with a clear conscious, jeopardize your health or the health of your teammates – we have that much respect for you.  Certainly we considered each and every way to make conditions as safe as possible for you; certainly we considered the potential for exposure and infections that could trickle to your parents, siblings and friends.  Despite this, we could not, and will not, risk your health, not now while there is so much up in the air regarding the potential for long-term medical consequences of the virus, not to mention something even more tragic.  

While the decision to cancel the season became very clear to us as Directors, please know that the decision is very hurtful – we were once players too.  We understand that some of you will be sad, some of you will be mad, and others will want to show us “it’s not that bad”.   All we can ask is that each of you respect the decision we’ve made, knowing how much we value your health and well-being  

Mark, Dan and I wish you and your family all the best of health during this unprecedented time.  We look forward to seeing you next season, will make it better than ever – we  promise.  Please be safe.

Respectfully,

Bill Bathel             Mark DiFranco              Dan Welch

Bill Bathel, Chairman                                 Mark DiFranco, Director                                      Dan Welch, Managing Director