KINGSVILLE, Texas — Kingsville’s Youth Pony Baseball and Softball League announced it was canceling the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The cancelation was announced Monday because of limits on the size of gatherings and the continued threat of a new surge of COVID-19.
“It was in the best interest of everyone and for our sake to do what we felt parents wanted us to do. I think it was the right decision,” said Director of Parks and Recreation Susan Ivy.
With more than 500 kids registered, the city was excited about the upcoming season. President Aaron Vela said canceling the 2020 season was a difficult decision for the League to make.
“It is tough because you don’t want to be the bad guy in this situation, you want them to play. We wanted them to play, the League wanted to have a season, a successful season. In the best interest of the players, parents, and the staff on the board of the League, we just had to suspend it to help prevent anybody from further getting sick or any type of situation like that,” said Kingsville Parks Youth Baseball and Softball League President Aaron Vela.
This cancelation of the season also ended a long summer tradition in Kingsville.
“It is pretty tough because this is what most kids look forward to, most parents look forward to. It has been going on since most of these coaches have been playing as a kid themselves. They grew up playing, and now they are coaching, watching their kids, their grandkids play, and this year not being able to play, it is tough to swallow that they are not going to have a season when it’s a tradition year after year people have been playing,” said Vela.
With youth summer baseball and softball leagues shutting down across the state, many are already starting to plan for next spring starting with registration in December.