In more than 80 years of Little League, there has never been a season like this one.

As we have navigated this unprecedented pandemic, we have all had to make some very hard decisions that have kept us from playing baseball and softball and supporting the children in our community. On behalf of the Little League International Board of Directors and our entire staff, we thank all of our Little League volunteers, District Administrators, league officials, coaches, and parents, for your patience, leadership, and understanding.

The season has changed, and many of our Little League communities around the world continue to feel the tremendous impact of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. Yet, in some areas, volunteers are able to work on a local plan for returning to the field and providing a Little League experience for their players. As certain states and municipalities begin their phased approaches to reopening, it is highly encouraged that each league and district adheres to the guidelines set forth by their respective state and local government and health officials in terms of public gatherings, organized youth sports, and sporting events when determining when it is safe to return to Little League activities after May 11. Leagues should contact their state and local health authority and other municipalities for guidance prior to resuming any Little League activities. For a listing of state health departments, visit CDC.gov.

To assist our volunteers, we have compiled the 2020 Season Resumption Guide (LittleLeague.org/SeasonResumption). We will be sharing this with our leagues later today and continue to promote this resource through our email and social media platforms in the following weeks. In this resource, you’ll find guidance that will help leagues return to the field with information on team adjustments, interleague play, combined teams, tournament opportunities, updated rules and regulations that will be implemented for the 2020 season, communications tools, and more.

2020 SEASON RESUMPTION GUIDE

We have also completely updated our Frequently Asked Questions with many important resources on resuming play, charter fee refunds, tournament opportunities, insurance, and much more. We encourage you to review those resources.

When we do return to the fields, it’ll be more important than ever to think about those things off-the-field that make the Little League experience special – teaching life lessons; being kind and gracious to umpires, coaches, and opposing teams; and supporting your community.

The safety and well-being of all our families, friends, and participants is always paramount, and today, is more important than ever. As we announced yesterday, we are extremely saddened that we have had to cancel our World Series and Region Tournaments for 2020, and while we won’t have these events and opportunities to look forward to this summer, we hope that, if safe and appropriate, your league can find a way back to the field this summer and fall.

We will be back and stronger than ever in 2021. We will rally around our communities, welcome all of life’s challenges, and leave a legacy of time spent together at Little League fields around the world. We are all in this together. We are one team, one Little League.

Thank you again for your patience, dedication, and understanding.

Sincerely,

Stephen D. Keener
Little League President and CEO