North Cook News

Will Little League baseball and softball teams play this summer?

No one is certain, according to Illinois Little League state coordinator Phil Rizzo. He said it might not happen this summer, or it might start much later than usual. There are more than 10,000 young softball and baseball players eager to get on a field and play.

“We’re still trying to get them out on the field,” Rizzo told North Cook News on Tuesday.

State Little League coordinator Phil Rizzo with his grandson Dominic. | Submitted

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a plan Tuesday to Restore Illinois. The plan calls for dividing the state into four regions, southern, central, north-central and northeast Illinois.

Each must pass through five phases before they can fully reopen. Most of the state currently is in Phase 2, a slight reduction of restrictions.

Most Little League seasons run mid-April through mid-June. 

Pritzker’s approach guarantees nothing as far as reopening venues for medium sized crowds at this point. In fact, the June 26 timeline he set for reopening restaurants and bars in some parts of the state has led some to believe the chances of hosting outdoor sporting events are slim. The phase in plan for Illinois is not specific enough it has parents concerned the little league season will have little choice but to be canceled.

Until that Phase 4 - which would allow for gatherings of 50 or more - a Little League game could not be played and, even arguably afterward, if social distancing rules are enforced. The start date of Phase 4 is not known. 

Pritzker’s recent comments make the probability of a season unlikelier with every day of the shutdown. Rizzo studied the comments Tuesday night and said it left him with mixed emotions.

Phase 3 can’t be reached until May 29. Rizzo said he thinks that date is when teams can, if their region has advanced to that level, start practicing.

He doesn’t see games starting until July 1 at the earliest, possibly later.

“It’s encouraging and discouraging,” Rizzo said of the governor’s proposal. “I think the good part of the announcement is it gives us the idea of a timeline.”

He said the season usually starts in April and wraps up in June as all-star squads are formed and advance to tournament competition. But since Little League International has canceled its regional and world championships, states can set the schedule as they see fit.

Many Illinois leagues play into the fall.

“We’re not going to call it fall ball this year,” Rizzo said. “We might not start until August. It’s a struggle. Kids and parents alike are a little bit disappointed we’re not on the field right now.”

But he said there are many things a lot more important than a summer on the diamonds. The COVID-19 pandemic has killed more than 67,000 Americans, and Illinois had its deadliest day Tuesday, announcing 176 deaths, bringing the state total to 2,838 fatalities.

Little League International President and CEO Stephen D. Keener announced on April 30 that the iconic youth sports organization, with 6,500 community-based programs in 84 countries, would not hold regional tourneys or its seven World Series events. The Little League World Series for players 10-12, had been held every year since 1947.

“This is a heartbreaking decision for everyone at Little League International, but more so for those millions of Little Leaguers who have dreamt of one day playing in one of our seven World Series events,” Keener said. “After exhausting all possible options, we came to the conclusion that because of the significant public health uncertainty that will still exist several months from now, and with direction from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine, as well as senior public health officials and government leaders from locations where our other six World Series are held, as well as their qualifying regional tournaments, it will not be possible to proceed with our tournaments as we’ve hosted them for nearly 75 years.”

Rizzo shared that news with Illinois Little League District 13. In addition to his state role, he is the director of District 13.

Rizzo, 61, has been around Little League most of his life. He played second base and a little bit of outfield as a kid.

“I wasn’t that good but I played,” he said.

Then Rizzo coached his children, grandchildren and other young players for more than a decade, while also serving as a league official. In 2001 he became a district administrator, and a decade ago, he was named state coordinator.

“I’ve been involved in Little League for 31 years,” Rizzo said.

He loves to help youngsters play and learn to compete, to spend time with friends and make new ones.

“Actually, what I like is to bring the kids together and see them smile,” he said. “Seeing the joy in them and seeing them out there having fun.”

He hopes that happens this year. It will be a different season with limits on parents and fans at the game. Rizzo took part in a Zoom meeting with state coordinators from the central part of the country and they discussed the changes that must be made.

Masks will be worn. Players likely won’t be in dugouts and, instead, will line up along fences. Bats will be wiped down and balls sanitized on a regular basis.

Umpires will be stationed behind pitchers, as they were in the early days of the game, to maintain 6 feet of distancing. Catchers will set up a couple feet deeper than usual.

The inning may start with runners on base, and with 1-1 counts on batters to speed games up. It still will be baseball and softball, but with accommodations to increase safety.

Concession stands may not open. League organizers will be especially careful with the Challenger Division, which allows kids of different abilities to play softball and baseball.

The details and final plans are still being worked out, and there is a chance no games will be played. No one knows.

“It’ll be different than any other season we’ve ever had before,” Rizzo said.