MESSAGE FROM TLL PRESIDENT REGARDING COVID-19
UPDATE: MAY 22, 2020
Dear Little League Families,
The past two months have certainly changed almost every aspect of our lives and interrupted our daily routines and activities. For most of us, this has meant staying home so that we can stay healthy. And for those in our community who are essential to all of us staying healthy - our healthcare workers, grocery store employees, and public servants - I want to say thank you for all that you have done for us.
I would like you all to know that our Board of Directors is looking out for the best interest of our children and community during this unsettling time. Tireless efforts have been made since January to ensure a successful Little League experience for our young athletes and families this year. We are hanging on to hope that there will be a 2020 season.
We have begun to see plans to open back up certain activities around our state so it's now an appropriate time to turn our attention to the players and members of Trumbull Little League. This email reflects recent decisions from Little League International, the Town of Trumbull Parks Department and the volunteers of Trumbull Little League Board of Directors. I wanted to provide an update on the current season and share our plan for hopefully playing softball and baseball this summer.
With the state’s decision that students are not going to be returning to school this academic year, we will not be having any softball and baseball activities until the end of the school calendar. We are cautiously optimistic that we will be able to play ball starting in late June. We would then play a summer season with games starting in July.
The district still anticipates a season that would include All Stars advancing to the state championship level, but not beyond, since Little League International has canceled regional and World Series tournaments. You can see the complete message from CEO Stephen Keener here. Mr. Keener's message leaves the decision for local League play and post-season play to the local districts and leagues, in accordance with state and local officials' guidance.
Our Board of Directors agreed that if we can play softball and baseball this summer, we will do so. Many of us would be content to start play on July 1 under the summer sun. We will, of course, follow all applicable State and local guidelines in determining whether we are able to play. We are hopeful to get a season started sooner than later; however, we will await patiently word from the Governor’s and First Selectman’s offices. The re-start remains a very fluid situation, and we will provide updates as it develops.
We've learned from the Town of Trumbull Parks department that our home field, Unity Park, is expected to remain closed through June 20, coinciding with the end of the academic school year. What this means for TLL players and members is that the earliest we could resume practices is June 21. However, any season we can host which would start after June 20, is contingent on the Town of Trumbull releasing baseball and softball fields to us by then, and they will not (are not able to) commit to field availability at this time.
We are hopeful that you will stick with us during this time and join us for the summer season, however we know some of you may not want to play over the summer, or cannot do so. You and your player will be missed, and we look forward to seeing you for a hopeful Fall Ball Season - or again in Spring 2021. If choosing withdraw from the current season, we hope you'd consider applying your player registration fee, if able to do so, as a donation to the League. If that's not your choice, we will of course be refunding your Spring registration fees.
That said, the TLL board has decided to offer the following three options for your current 2020 spring registration:
1. Active Account: Keep your current 2020 spring/summer registration active in anticipation of a season starting.
2. Donation: Withdraw from the 2020 spring/summer registration, but offer all or part of your registration as a donation to Trumbull Little League (IRS Tax forms available upon request). Donations are greatly appreciated so that we can keep up with new safety measures that are certain to be added and to cover expenses we’ve incurred in preparation for the upcoming season.
3. Full Refund: Withdraw from the 2020 spring/summer season and receive a refund. In order to request a refund for the Spring fees paid, we’d ask that you email us via private message to [email protected]*
*This does not apply to refunds requested prior to this email. Those have already been processed.
All NEW requests should follow the above direction.
Note: Once your child has withdrawn, they will be removed from the 2020 spring/summer database and if you decide at a later time to re-enroll, your child(ren) will be added to a waitlist.
Once we receive approval from the State and Town of Trumbull and determine what our summer season could look like, we will send details of the in-season plans.
In conclusion, we hope that you and your families are safe and healthy. While we are grateful that our membership has been patient, we fully understand that the “unknowns” may be frustrating. Thank you for contributing to the Trumbull community by participating in Little League softball and baseball. We look forward to seeing you at the ballpark!
Stay healthy,
Greg McDonald, President
Trumbull Little League