MWBL – COVID-19 Update 25/03/2020 from the MWBL President
The continued updates from Government departments, sporting bodies and health departments is having a major impact on the 2020 season.
The Melbourne Winter Baseball League board has met and determined our current course of action. We have been working hand in hand with Baseball Victoria and the other Winter Associations, to ensure we can come to the best outcome across the board.
Please note, this course of action, like the situation, is extremely fluid, and is subject to the best advice provided by our governing bodies, and the health departments.
We are trying to ensure we provide a safe and sustainable league to play in for the 2020 season, but above all else, our primary objective is to ensure the safety of our players, volunteers, clubs and communities.
No doubt most of your clubs have received information from the local councils today (or previously), advising there will be NO access to council sporting club facilities. This should be adhered to strictly in the current climate, as should all the instructions from the Government and BV.
Season Start Delay
The 2020 season will be delayed. Our aim is to take the field on 1st June 2020 for pre-season trainings, with a start of the season on 13th June 2020.
This start date is based on the restrictions on training / gatherings being removed by the end of May, by Baseball Australia, and the local councils allowing access to sporting facilities by this time.
We are attempting to provide clubs enough time to start up following the shutdown of facilities, and trainings, provide enough time for players to train and prepare for the season, and the be able to get on the field.
To accommodate this delayed start to the season, the league is reviewing options to fixturing, that will allow us to potentially provide as many rounds as possible.
These measures include (but are not limited to):
2 game final series (reduced from 3 games)
Later finishing time (Grand Final to potentially be scheduled for 19th September 2020).
Extra games during school holidays that previously were not scheduled.
Baseball Victoria has agreed in principle to a delay of the Summer Season, to assist in the Winter Associations being able to create as full a season as possible in these difficult times.
Nothing is set in stone yet. We will be meeting with the clubs as more information comes to hand, to present recommendations and make decisions on how we should proceed.
Season Abandonment Dates
No one likes to talk about the possibilities of abandoning a season. However, this year, the threat needs to be considered.
The board has discussed that if we do not have clearance to train and use facilities by July 1st, 2020, we will need to consider abandoning the season. This is something we will need to ratify with the clubs at an upcoming meeting. The reasoning we have determined this date, is that having games on the field by the 11th of July SHOULD allow us to have a full 9 rounds, providing the majority of the competition a full round of games against opponents. If the restrictions do push much past this point in time, we will need to determine options in conjunction with BV and the other Winter Associations.
As this time approaches, (hopefully we will be on the field already), the MWBL will review options to take the field in other ways, to provide people a method of getting on the field.
Club Delegates Meetings
From here on, all Delegates meetings, both Junior and Senior will be scheduled via online / phone in conference meetings.
This will allow planning to continue, while we abide the Government restrictions on gather people in one location.
Details of how to attend these meetings will be sent out to the club delegates, Secretaries and Presidents.
We will be reaching out shortly to discuss our plan of action, and request feedback to some items, to allow us to discuss this in a considered manor.
Next Update
We are meeting as a group of Winter Associations weekly with Baseball Victoria. They have a direct line into Sports Australia and the government which allows us to get the most up to date information prepared for our meetings.
We will endeavour to provide clubs and members updates as we get information, but do need to also respect the wishes of Baseball Victoria if they request, we delay information updates while we fully consider what the impact of the new details are.
We are all in the same boat, wishing this wasn’t happening, and that we could get on with life as we know it.
Unfortunately, the current environment is one that we need to take extremely seriously. We need to plan for the best and the worst, and then make changes as information comes to hand.
The MWBL Board is attempting to keep up to date, and process this information, allowing us to update plans, and communicate with clubs and players.
I would like to invite all the Presidents, Secretaries and Delegates to a meeting with the MWBL Board on Wednesday April 1st 7:30pm to discuss the current situation and answer any questions or concerns you may have. This meeting will be strictly dial in via video conference or phone call, as per the current government guidelines.
Separate to that, if you have any questions about our plans, or would like to provide any ideas, please feel free to email me, at
president@mwbl.com.auOn behalf of Slade Squire
President MWBL
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