Dear LES OLS LL players, parents and coaches,
First we hope you and your families are doing well and staying safe. We know this has been a very challenging time for all of us. Many of you are wondering how and when we will resume our little league activities. Please note that the league board is continuously monitoring and assessing the situation. We are also following the guidelines from Little League Inc., which we share with you below. We ask for your patience until we have determined the best path forward. Stay Safe!
LES-OLS Little League
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***FROM LITTLE LEAGUE INC. We’ve shortened this letter. March 2020***
Little League Open Letter to Parents
Dear Little League® Families and Volunteers,
Over the past few days we have announced our recommendation to refrain from Little League-related activities until May 11.
As this situation evolves, Little League International is committed to sharing the best guidance possible for all its leagues.
First, it is our sincere hope that we can find ways to bring everyone back to the Little League fields this season, whether that’s later this spring, throughout the summer, or into the fall. This year’s Little League season won’t be the traditional one that we’ve held for more than 80 years, but this is about more than just a Little League season.
We are closely consulting with appropriate medical advisers and our volunteer leaders around the world, and we are committed to doing the best thing for the safety and well-being of all our players, families, volunteers, and fans. As soon as our public health authorities say it’s safe to gather again, we are committed to working with our leagues to helping them get those playing opportunities underway when appropriate.
At this time, Little League International is also working through all possible scenarios for the 2020 Little League International Tournament, including our seven Little League World Series tournaments, and tournament eligibility for our leagues and players.
The Little League experience is a rite of passage for so many children, and we know that this is frustrating and sad, especially for those players in their 12-year-old season. We sincerely hope that everyone gets an opportunity to play this year, and we’ll work hard to make that happen as soon as we can.
Most importantly, we ask you for your patience.
Your Little League program’s leadership is working hard to understand how the Coronavirus is going to impact them locally. We know that many leagues have been working hard to prepare to provide a great Little League experience for the families of their community and have already ordered equipment, jerseys, and other associated items for the season. We are urging all parents and families to be patient as we work with their local Little League programs throughout this ever-evolving situation.
There are countless suggestions and resources available, and we urge you to follow the information available through World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), your state’s public health department, and other county and/or local authorities including precedents set by area school districts and government agencies.
This is bigger than Little League, and if we work together, it is our hope that by suspending/delaying our Little League seasons, we will all play a small, but important part in flattening the curve in the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Thank you all for your support, understanding, and patience.
Sincerely,
Stephen D. Keener
Little League President and CEO