(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall

long summer ahead

Riggers disappointed but understanding of cancelled season

May 11, 2020 | 1:56 PM

It’s going to be a very long summer for members of the Red Deer Riggers after Baseball Alberta officially announced the cancellation of all in-person events through Sept. 1.

Team President and shortstop Jaret Chatwood says it’s obviously disappointing news with the season being set to start later this month, but the team knows it’s for the greater good.

“It’s hard knowing we won’t be able to play ball, and hang out with our buddies this year, but we understand why baseball is on the back-burner in terms of the health of everyone around the province and country, so this is just what we have to do,” he laments.

Scaled-down camps or one-on-one training for younger minor ball players is still on the table, but it’s too soon to say what will be allowed, he notes.

At the very least, however, there’s something big on the horizon to look forward to.

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“Everyone’s ecstatic to still be able to host a national tournament,” Chatwood says of the 2021 Baseball Canada Men’s National Championships, announced last fall. It will be the first time in 27 years the tournament is held in Alberta.

“Who knows what that will look like next summer? It’s out of our control, but to showcase our talent, city, facilities, and everything we’re about, we’re really excited about that.”

Baseball Alberta is currently developing return-to-train protocols to allow for the resumption of in-person baseball activities once it is deemed safe to do so.