How has the Coronavirus affected the baseball landscape?

There is no doubt that there is plenty of uncertainty filling the air when it comes to the current Coronavirus situation. The world health community continues to monitor this situation closely. It's hard to predict exactly what will happen here in the United States. Prep Baseball Report will continue to follow the lead of the health community in our actions. This is bigger than baseball. 

Many baseball organizations throughout the country from youth/ HS levels to Pro baseball have either cancelled or suspended seasons for the rest of the year or until further notice. Many players throughout the country are questioning what their futures might be. There are also a lot of unknowns on what the rest of season or next year will look like. Our biggest piece of advice is to be patient, safe and responsible. This will get under control and baseball will be there. With that said, here is what the current situation looks like as it relates to the different levels of baseball. 

High School in Arizona

Two-week Suspension

• AIA voted to not cancel or postpone spring baseball season. However, the Governor's office put a two-week suspension of school and activities. Baseball season will resume on Monday, March 30th unless extended. 
• Individual schools will still have the ability to make their own plans for this matter.

Professional Baseball

Postponed

• Wait-and-see approach in accordance to CDC recommendations.
• No organized team activities

Division I

NCAA DI Spring Championships Cancelled

• Each conference has flexibility to make own decisions when it comes to suspending or cancelling seasons. Most NCAA DI Conferences have already cancelled activities for the rest of the academic year. 
• Dead Period for recruiting until at least April 15th. Phone calls and written communication is allowed during dead periods. 
• Committee has granted an additional season of eligibility. Details will be finalized at a later time.

Division II

NCAA DII Spring Championships Cancelled

• Each conference has flexibility to make own decisions when it comes to suspending or cancelling seasons. Most NCAA DII Conferences have already cancelled activities for the rest of the academic year. 
• Dead Period for recruiting until at least April 15th. Phone calls and written communication is allowed during dead periods. 
• Committee has granted an additional season of eligibility. Details will be finalized at a later time. 

Division III

NCAA DIII Spring Championships Cancelled

• Each conference has flexibility to make own decisions when it comes to suspending or cancelling seasons. Most NCAA DIII Conferences have already cancelled activities for the rest of the academic year. 
• Committee has granted an additional season/ semester of eligibility. Details will be finalized at a later time.

Junior College

All spring competition cancelled.

• Spring competition includes all practices, regular season, postseason, and national championship. 
• Student-athletes will not be charged a year of eligibility.
• NJCAA will explore the opportunity to expand the number of NLI's for 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years.

NAIA

Spring sports cancelled. 

• No student-athlete will be charged a year of competition. Any spring sport athlete who was enrolled full-time in 2020 will be awarded two additional semester terms of attendance or equivalent. 

 

Obviously, there have been many questions and unknowns out there when it comes to all of this information. Prep Baseball Report will do our best to post updated information when we receive it. We will also be here to offer help and guidance where we can. 

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