The Tewksbury Youth Baseball Board of Directors would like to update our parents and players on the current status of the upcoming 2020 baseball season.

In addition to our typical preseason planning, we have been preparing around the current COVID-19 state of affairs. We have been thrust into a holding pattern along with the rest of the world waiting for this to play out, while also waiting for answers of reopening from our state and local government officials.

We want to remind everyone that the safety and health of our players, coaches, umpires, volunteers and families is of utmost importance to us, not only on the baseball fields and within our facilities, but also with you at home as we all deal with this COVID-19 situation.

Due to the continued concerns of the coronavirus, and in accordance with the guidance and direction of state and local government agencies, the TYB Board of Directors has continued to suspend all on-field baseball activities thru May 4, 2020, and will stay that course until we receive proper approval from state and local government agencies.

At our recent Board of Directors meeting, which was held on Monday, April 13, 2020, a review of all preseason activities in preparation of this upcoming season was reported. Details included:

* Divisions and Teams that are “draft leagues” have been established, with all eligible players having been placed on teams.

* All equipment and uniforms have been ordered, sorted and are ready for distribution to our coaches as soon as we are able to safely proceed with our season.

* The new lighting system that was voted on at last year’s town meeting has been installed, wired and is ready to go when we are able to safely proceed with our season.

* Our Umpire-In-Chief has compiled a database of interested umpires. Game assignments, along with minor farm level umpire training, are currently on hold until we can establish an official game schedule.

Also at this meeting, the TYB Board of Directors determined the following will take place for the upcoming 2020 baseball season:

* We are committed to playing a Regular Season for all of our players, assuming that we are allowed to play on our fields and facilities as dictated by the state and government agencies. Regular Season play for ALL TYB PLAYERS will be the league’s primary focus, with Cal Ripken Tournament play being the secondary focus. It is our mission to provide ALL TYB PLAYERS with a meaningful, beneficial and memorable baseball season in 2020.

* With the uncertainty of when we will be allowed back onto the fields and facilities, there is the real possibility of our Regular Season running later than usual (regular season typically ends mid-June) and then tournament play continues into and through the month of July.

As of today, our main focus is to prepare for a TYB 2020 Regular Season, as we all have planned, signed up and hoped for. Decisions regarding the cancellation of the season, or refunds, cannot be made at this time with the information that has been provided. Once a more concrete timetable has been provided from the state and local governments, we will then be able to have those discussions.

The TYB Board of Directors felt it was important to reach out to you now with this updated information. It is our hope that while you remain safe at home and social distancing, that your children are able to squeeze in some time to work on preparing for this upcoming baseball season by throwing, fielding and hitting (into a hitting net of course) in your yard or driveway.

If you need some ideas of how to work on baseball skills with your athlete, SportsEngine provides a helpful index of at-home training drills.

As soon as more information is made available to us through the Massachusetts and Tewksbury government delegations, in addition to the Cal Ripken State and National organizations, we will provide it to you for the upcoming 2020 season. With all the great things that have taken place during this offseason, we are all hopeful that we’re able to get back out there learning and playing baseball!

A final reminder that all Tewksbury fields and facilities — this includes our batting cages and fields at Livingston Street — are closed at this time. Please stay off of them, as this is the best thing you can do to help prevent the spread of this virus, which will hopefully allow us all to get back out there sooner rather than later.

Please stay safe, and any questions and concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to us at board@tewksburyyouthbaseball.org.

Thank you,

TYB Board of Directors