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PALMER — Alaska Baseball League officials remain hopeful for a 2020 season, despite COVID-19 pandemic concerns.
ABL general managers are now pitching for opening day on June 29, Mat-Su Miners general manager Pete Christopher said.
“My gut tells me we’ll play unless something drastic happens,” Christopher said.
Christopher said the ABL hopes to make a final call by May 15, or May 21 at the latest.
With the 2020 summer collegiate season canceled due to the pandemic, Christopher said college coaches are eager for the opportunity to find playing time for their players.
“Everybody’s got to get at-bats, innings pitched,” Christopher said.
The Miners have been arguably the most successful ABL organization in recent memory, with six league titles since 2004. Christopher said the Miners are not focused on another championship.
“It’s a developmental thing now,” Christopher said. “We need to help the kids get ready for fall ball.”
League officials voted to bump the roster limit from 26 to 32 players. The ABL has put together a 36-game schedule with no playoffs.
The Miners typically draw athletes from elite Division I programs across the United States. Other summer collegiate leagues, such as the famed Cape Cod League, have already canceled their season.
Christopher said the ABL will consult with Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Adam Crum. The league will also take certain precautions, Christopher said. Players will be screened.
But current state mandates could make it difficult to put together a season. Out of state travelers who enter Alaska are required by the state to quarantine for 14 days, which would be about half of the ABL’s proposed season. Currently gatherings of more than 20 are not allowed.
Christopher said, ultimately, the fate of the 2020 ABL season will be decided by the calls made by Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz.
Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at editor@frontiersman.com.
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