Prairie State Wire

There’s big news for Little League: It’s time to play ball again.

The 2021 season will be held, according to Little League Central Region Coordinator Mason Stanley. 

All Little League International regional tournaments and the 2020 World Series for both softball and baseball were canceled, some leagues called off the entire 2020 season, while others played reduced schedules.

Illinois Little League State Coordinator Phil Rizzo told Prairie State Wire that baseball and softball will be played in 2021, confirming Stanley’s comments.

“You’re accurate that everything’s a 'go' in Little League,” Rizzo said.

Stanley said players, coaches, parents and fans are looking forward to the 2021 season. In 2019, more than 10,000 Little League baseball and softball players competed in Illinois. Although some played last season, others were forced to sit it out due to COVID-19 restrictions.

This year, Little League will return for players ages 9-12. Stanley said they are ready to return to their local fields, but league officials and parents also want to ensure they do so safely.

“Yes, definitely,” she told Prairie State Wire. “Definitely safety is the first priority in the list, but they are definitely excited.”

Stanley said some precautions will be put into place.

“It kind of is league-specific what they feel comfortable doing,” she said. “It'll be different for each state and they will have to follow the state-mandated guidelines.”

In 2020, when Illinois allowed youth sports to resume, Little League made several adaptations. Players, coaches and umpires wore masks, and players lined up along fences, not in dugouts to allow for social distancing. An umpire stood behind the pitcher, not the catcher, who also lined up deeper than previously.

Bats and balls were wiped down. Fans were not allowed to attend games, and concession stands were closed.

Kids still played baseball, but as Rizzo, 62, said, last season was unlike any other before. He is a Little League lifer, having played, coached and served on local and state boards for decades.

This year, the plan is to play a regular schedule. Stanley said the softball and baseball World Series are slated to be held.

“That is the plan as of right now,” she said.

Little League Baseball World Series president and CEO Stephen D. Keener said an official decision will be announced in May, but the plan is to play the season until champions are crowned.

“It is our intention and desire to provide a tournament season,” Keener told PennLive.