Regina Red Sox Announce No Baseball for the 2021 Season REGINA RED SOX March 25Th,2021

Regina Red Sox Announce No Baseball for the 2021 Season REGINA RED SOX March 25th,2021

For Immediate Release

As of March, 25th, the following describes the situation facing the WCBL for the 2021 season:

The WCBL has submitted a return to play plan to Saskatchewan Health. The league requested a gradual increase in attendance throughout the season, up to 100% capacity for July 1st. As of right now, Saskatchewan Health is enforcing a maximum of 25% capacity for the upcoming season.

Player and staff testing protocols will need to be in place at an estimated cost of $40,000 per team, as well as quarantine costs amounting to $2,000 per player. Interprovincial travel continues to be restricted, and the US/Canada border remains closed at this time. The WCBL is exploring options for an “All Canadian League” in Alberta, which would also be subject to quarantine, testing, and border restrictions, presenting a challenge for the league. The Saskatchewan franchises have made the decision to defer the resumption of operations until 2022.

Anyone who has any concerns with season tickets can email Sharon Clarke at [email protected] and sponsorship concerns can be sent to Gary Brotzel at

[email protected].

As you can see, there are many obstacles to overcome to proceed with a 2021 season, all with significant financial impacts both the individual teams and the league as a whole.

We hope you understand that this situation continues to be fluid, with the hopes of having a definitive decision on the 2021 season in early April, once the next announcement of US/Canada border restrictions are made public and more information on vaccination progress from Saskatchewan Health becomes available. Further communication will be sent out by the Regina Red Sox at that time.

Sincerely,

Gary Brotzel

306-536-8792

Team President

Western Canadian Baseball League 2021 Season to Proceed

March 25th, 2021

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -

For the first time in Western Canadian Baseball League history, all players will be from Canada!

“The long standing league, with a history dating back over 80 years, is excited to put this unique product on the field this summer for Canadian players,” League President commented on this major development.

After ongoing discussions and a meeting earlier this week, governors agreed this move would be a real opportunity to showcase how much the game has grown and developed in training top-notch baseball players and students in Canada. The league has also announced that non-Canadian players that had been recruited have been informed that it is unlikely that we will be able to resolve border issues in time for the 2021 season and have allowed those players to seek playing opportunities elsewhere.

“While we’re extremely disappointed that we won’t be seeing US and other foreign players as we would in a normal season, we are confident that the quality of Canadian athletes who play this great game at an extremely- high, competitive level will perform for their respective teams. In addition, we felt it vital to let our significant number of foreign players that the window and opportunity to get them to our 2021 clubs is becoming too tight and we want them to have the opportunity to adjust their plans given the current health restrictions in Canada” WCBL President Kevin Kvame added.

The league has also announced that the 2021 season will not feature all eleven of its member franchises. The Okotoks Dawgs (2 teams), Lethbridge Bulls, Sylvan Lake Gulls and Edmonton Prospects have committed teams consisting of Canadian talent. The Fort McMurray Giants and Medicine Hat Mavericks continue to discuss the options available to them and will decide in the coming weeks. And unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, border issues and the uncertainty of any changes, the Swift Current 57’s, Regina Red Sox, Weyburn Beavers, Moose Jaw Miller Express and Brooks Bombers have regrettably made the difficult and heartbreaking decision to wait until 2022 to return to the field. “Just like 2020, the WCBL is aware of the logistical differences between communities in the league and those logistics may result in some franchises having to make the difficult decision to accept an emergency leave of absence,” Kvame said. “However, we also feel it is important to provide a platform for our strong Canadian talent that needs to continue to develop this summer and, as such, we have assembled key franchises who can pull off this endeavour.”

Kvame also noted that the decisions have been made in the best interests of players, coaches, staff, officials and fans. He adds the teams are eager to bring baseball back to each community as quickly and safely as possible, with government and health authority consent, as baseball is a part of the fabric of our communities and it’s vital to provide a safe outlet for our world-class athletes.

“The franchises and teams that have committed to this unique 2021 season realize the challenges ahead,” Kvame said. “Fan capacities are uncertain and will likely be very limited to start. However, we’re also optimistic that our message about baseball being a naturally socially-distanced game in an outdoor setting will take root and make for positive communities for those choosing to participate this summer.”

As for those teams who couldn’t take part, he’s optimistic they will continue to be stewards of the sport in their respective communities and will try to remain as involved as possible.

“I can tell you that no rock was left unturned by those teams that opted out,” Kvame added. “They have met, brainstormed, considered roster changes, and looked for funding that could have made it possible. But instead they will become, for one unforeseen season, fans and followers of the baseball teams who will take the field.”

The WCBL expects to release an updated schedule, details on the 2021 season, ticketing plans based on health authorities and additional information near the end of April.

For information on the above, please contact Kevin Kvame, WCBL President, at [email protected] or by phone at 403-320-2025.

The WCBL will be hosting a zoom Press Conference at 11:30 am on Thursday March 25 to provide an opportunity for media who wish to ask questions or seek further information. Please reach out for the link to the meeting.