The Peninsula Oilers Baseball Club announced on Thursday that the Oilers will not participate in the 2020 Alaska Baseball League–if there is a 2020 ABL season.
The Peninsula Oilers are the first team in the ABL to announce their intentions; following meetings with board members, conversations with Oilers staff and weighing considerations regarding the Coronavirus’s effects on all concerned.
Mike Tice, President of the Peninsula Oilers Baseball Club…
“At the Peninsula Oilers Baseball Club, nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our customers, employees, and the community we serve.
As the US and many other countries continue to battle the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), we cannot ask players, coaches and staff members to travel up to Alaska.
We will not ask our sponsors and host families for financial support at this time when they have their own employees, customers and families to support.
We have closed our bingo hall and sent our employees home. We will notify our players and coaches that we will not field a team for the 2020 season. Again, please understand that we are making this decision with the health and well-being of our fans, our customers, our families, our team and our community in mind.”
The Alaska Baseball League consists of five, independent teams which are collectively joined, but exist as autonomous organizations. Rosters consist of college-eligible players and with the postponement of collegiate spring sports (including baseball); more, major changes can be expected for the 2020 Alaska Baseball League season.
