West Cook News

The boys and girls of summer are getting back on the field, as play has resumed in Illinois and across the Midwest for Little League International Baseball and Softball. 

“While the past few months have been an unprecedented situation, and we have seen some local leagues that unfortunately have had to postpone or cancel their spring seasons, many of our local Little League programs across the state are slowly returning to play or are working on plans to return once it is deemed safe and appropriate to do so by their state and local health officials,” Little League International Central Region Director Nina Johnson-Pitt told West Cook News.

Riverside Little League began play in early July, and Brookfield Little League started its season on Aug. 1. 

Little League International Central Region Director Nina Johnson-Pitt | Facebook

“Riverside Little League has been a big part of our community,” league president John Evans told the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark. “Obviously, player safety is our number-one priority and, early in the spring, we surveyed all of our families and asked them if they were interested in having baseball and softball this year. The vast majority of the responses were positive, so we decided to move forward.”

Brookfield Little League President Katie Nasti told the Landmark it was a good feeling to see the young players back in action.

“We’re happy to be moving forward,” Nasti said. “I think the hardest thing was the back and forth of not having an answer either way of whether we could play or not. Being able to go to the fields, drop off equipment and even moving boxes – it was a great feeling.”

For several weeks it seemed there would be no Little League games this year. The season typically opens in the spring and teams compete until early summer, when district tournaments are played as the first step to the famed Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

On April 30, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the country, Little League International announced it was cancelling 82 regional qualifying tournaments and seven World Series events. That meant no 2020 champions would be crowned in Little League Baseball, Little League Softball, Intermediate Baseball, Junior League Baseball, Junior League Softball, Senior League Baseball and Senior League Softball.

However, Little League said that individual states and local leagues could still play a modified season and hold district tourneys. Illinois Little League canceled state baseball and softball tournaments on May 16, but left the door open for local competition.

When Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a five-point plan to reopen the state on May 5, he prohibited most gatherings. Some predicted that would prevent youth sports teams from playing at all this summer.

However, Illinois Little League officials said they still hoped to play, with the schedule pushed back. Games could be held into the fall, they said.

Illinois Little League State Coordinator Phil Rizzo told West Cook News in May that he still thought they could play this year. There are more than 10,000 Little League baseball and softball players in the state, Rizzo said, and most wanted to compete.

Johnson-Pitt said she could not estimate how many leagues, teams and players are playing this summer.

“We are still assessing the overall impact this pandemic has had to our organization, and therefore do not have participation statistics available,” she said. “We remain thankful for the selfless commitment our million-plus volunteers have shown during this difficult time.”

Johnson-Pitt said efforts are being made to ensure safety for players, coaches and others involved.

“All our local leagues are highly encouraged to adhere to the specific 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,” she said. “To assist with their planning, Little League International has provided a Season Resumption Guide and a number of best practices to all of its leagues, while encouraging alternative methods of play such as the newly launched Little League Sandlot Fun Days Program to provide a memorable Little League experience once safe to do so.”

Cloth face coverings are recommended, and balls are changed every two innings. There is a limited number of fans, coaches and volunteers at games, and players and coaches practice social distancing in the dugouts and sidelines. There is no spitting, no handshakes, no high-fives or celebratory touching.

In addition, concessions are not available and water fountains are turned off. It’s all part of an effort to reduce the risk of infection. 

Statistics indicate that kids have less of a chance to get sick from COVID-19, but there still are risks for them. A Time Magazine report looked at why young people seem to be at far less risk from the coronavirus.

“'There could be a number of reasons that younger people are less likely to spread COVID-19,' says Justin Lessler, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health,” Time reported. “The virus may not replicate in children as much as it does in adults, meaning an infected child would have less viral material to pass on. Furthermore, because children generally have no or less severe symptoms, they may be less likely to spread the virus by coughing or sneezing, as a sick adult might.”