Coronavirus: Little League World Series canceled due to pandemic

Credit: RC/Getty Images

Credit: RC/Getty Images

Officials with Little League International have announced that the 2020 Little League World Series has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The annual championship happens each August in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

This is is the first time in the history of Little League International that the championship has been canceled.

Also impacted by the decision was the 2020 MLB Little League Classic, which was to be played Aug. 23 between the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles, as well as 82 regional qualifying tournaments and the following World Series events:

  • Little League Softball, Greenville, North Carolina
  • Intermediate (50/70) Baseball, Livermore, California
  • Junior League Baseball, Taylor, Michigan
  • Junior League Softball, Kirkland, Washington
  • Senior League Baseball, Easley, South Carolina
  • Senior League Softball, Sussex County, Delaware

“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,” Stephen Keener, Little League president and CEO, 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.”

Next year was supposed to be the 75th Little League Baseball World Series. That will now be celebrated in 2022.

The MLB Little League Classic will return in 2021.

For more information click here.

About the Author