MARION (WSIL) -- The Southern Illinois Miners have suspended their 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Miners are part of the Frontier League. On Wednesday, the league posted a statement that the 2020 championship season had been suspended "due to the ongoing gathering and travel restrictions in many of our locations."
"We all want to play Frontier League baseball in 2020," stated Rich Sauget, Sr., President of the Frontier League. "However, with the continuing limitations on social gatherings in our markets plus travel restrictions impacting our Canadian teams we had to make the tough decision that without availability to play in many of our 14 ballparks that a 2020 championship season was no longer realistic."
Miners COO and Field Manager Mike Pinto also issued a statement.
"As disappointed as we are to not have a baseball season in Marion for the first time in 14 years, we also feel for all our players, fans, host families and game-day employees who have called Rent One Park their summer home. We very much wanted to play baseball in 2020, and we had built what we thought would be another outstanding, championship-caliber team. Our dedicated staff of full-time employees had worked hard all off-season to create new memorable experiences for all our fans. Our summer employees were also excited to work with us for another season, and we were committed to providing something for everyone at the ballpark.
"However, protocols provided by the CDC along with strict travel guidelines have shown us it would be impossible to guarantee the safety of players, coaching staffs, umpires, host families, employees and fans during this unprecedented health crisis. We just do not have the capability to put our players in a 'bubble.' Furthermore, our business relies on the gathering of people. Unfortunately, the gathering restrictions, social distancing requirements, and strict travel guidelines from the government make the economics of trying to operate this season an impossible task, and make having a Miners season in 2020 infeasible," continued Pinto.
Pinto also thanked Miners' fans, sponsors and host families for their support.
Read his full statement on the .
The Frontier League was founded for the 1993 season and features 14 clubs. The league describes itself as the "largest and longest running independent professional baseball league."
