Minnesota American Legion Baseball cancels 2020 season

Minnesota American Legion Baseball will not have a 2020 season, league organizers said.

After consultation with state and legal advisers, the American Legion Department of Minnesota Executive Committee decided on Saturday a baseball season would be impossible while public gatherings are prohibited because of COVID-19.

“Safety has always been important in American Legion Baseball,” Randy Schaub, the director of Minnesota American Legion Baseball, said in a statement. “As much as we wanted to play this year, we cannot take chances with the players, coaches and fans we oversee.”

Last month the national-level organization canceled the American Legion Baseball World Series, which was scheduled for August.

According to a news release, there were 357 teams signed up for Minnesota American Legion Baseball in 2020 — the most out of any state in the national organization.

The Minnesota American Legion Baseball league dates back to 1923, and the state tournament had been held every year since 1926, when it was played in Mankato.