MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Expected to start their 2020 season next week, the West Virginia Black Bears will instead have to wait to take the field.
In a news release Friday, the New York-Penn League announced that it was indefinitely delaying the start of the 2020 season due to COVID-19.
It was also announced that the New York-Penn League All-Star Game, scheduled for Aug. 18 in Lowell, Mass., was canceled.
“The League and its clubs will continue to monitor the situation and work with our Major League Baseball affiliates, while following the recommendations of public health officials and adhering to local reopening guidelines. As always, the health and safety of the New York-Penn League fans, players and staff members are our top priorities,” the league said in a statement.
West Virginia was scheduled to open its season June 18, hosting Mahoning Valley.
“First, let us say that we hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy through this challenging time in our lives,” general manager Matt Drayer said in a statement. “Unfortunately, at this moment, there remain far more questions than answers with regards to the start of the 2020 West Virginia Black Bears season. While we are eager to once again reunite with you at the ballpark, today the NY-Penn League officially announced that the start of our season will be delayed. As more information becomes available, we will provide you with any updates from the ballpark. Until then, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have or if you’d just like to take a break from everything and talk a little baseball! We also encourage you to continue to visit our official website as well as our twitter and facebook social media channels (@WVBlackBears) for updates we may have. We’re missing baseball as much as you are and until we can all return to the ballpark and enjoy a fun and exciting Black Bears game, please stay safe and stay tuned.”
