Blue Jays: Amateur cancellations continue to pile up

As we await a more specific timeline on the possibility of the Toronto Blue Jays season, a number of amateur baseball organizations have put the final nail in their proverbial coffin for the 2020 campaign.

With each passing day, the baseball community as a collective whole continues to hold out hope that the 2020 season will eventually see the light of day, even if that means playing in alternate locations without fans.

However, players involved with Baseball Canada and the Cape Cod Summer League will not be as fortunate as both organizations officially halted their seasons for 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic that has had a global effect on the sport.

The Blue Jays are probably more so affected by the Baseball Canada decision as the team is involved with the national program at various levels from the grassroots right on upward.

https://twitter.com/baseballcanada/status/1253349041888526336

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Baseball Canada President and former MLB pitcher Jason Dickson although disappointed acknowledged “we felt it was the best decision to make given that the health and welfare of our members is paramount in these uncertain times.”

The national program canceled all of their scheduled tournaments and programs including the upcoming Canada Cup and National championships.

The Cape Cod League also canceled its 2020 season that was scheduled to begin on June 13th. The 10-team league is a premiere landing spot for some of the top-ranked collegiate players to hone their craft versus throughout the summer. The wood bat league is also a great opportunity for scouts to get a look at their prospective draft picks versus top talent.

According to ESPN, the summer league has had over 300 MLB players come through their league including the likes of Chris Sale and Kris Bryant.

In 2018, Blue Jays prospect Alek Manoah played for the Chatham Anglers going 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA while fanning 48 in 33.1 innings of work for the Anglers. Spencer Torkelson was one of Manoah’s teammates that summer, the slugger is expected to be a top-two selection in the upcoming MLB draft.

Unfortunately, this will more than likely not be the last of the cancellations due to the pandemic. Stay safe friends and hopefully, we will see you at the ballpark sooner than later.