Sorry, Legion baseball, no playoff 'carnival' this year

Thursday, April 23, 2020
The lights and rides of a nearby Phelps County Fair stood out along with McCook National Bank’s comeback win in 2018 over Gothenburg that clinched another Class B state tournament spot. No post-season tourneys will be played in 2020.
R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — There’s no sugar-coating the lousy taste of knowing area and state tournaments have been erased from Nebraska Legion baseball in 2020.

The Department of Nebraska Athletic Committee confirmed Wednesday that all post-season games are canceled due to COVID-19.

“Tough one to swallow,” McCook National Bank coach Jeff Holthus said this morning. “We still have hope to play some games, but the post-season is what these kids play for. Tough time right now.”

MNB will likely return several top players from a 28-16 team which knocked out Class B state tournament host Gering last summer.

However, many of those leaders also are entering their last season to play Legion baseball.

“I feel for the kids,” Holthus added. “Sports and friends. That’s a big thing that they know. We’ll see what happens.”

The state announcement this week also stated:

“It is the intention of the Department of Nebraska Athletic Committee to hold as much of a playing season that the situation allows, and to allow local communities or regional areas to conduct their own tournaments as they see fit, based on the current restrictions for that region/area.”

Teams are required to practice 14 days before opening games.

Yet all must wait until Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts announces a date when youth sports can resume.

The Nebraska Athletic Committee will then announce an opening practice date for teams.

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