Baseball Sask. “strategically planning” upcoming season with multiple models of shortened seasons

There’s still a lot up in the air in terms of baseball in Saskatchewan this summer.

Baseball Saskatchewan, the governing body for the sport in the province, continues to update its website with the latest information throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization’s president, Bert Kauf said he remains optimistic, but multiple models of how the season may be played are giving the indication that anything is possible at this point.

“We’re strategically planning,” Kauf told 650 CKOM Wednesday.

“There are different models being put together for a shortened season, provincial play – especially at the higher calibre.”

In the meantime, Kauf said the organization released coaching drills on its website to ensure athletes can continue to practice their skills through the pandemic.

“We can always hope we can get out to the field,” he said. “Keep practicing at home, stay in shape, and then when we get going, it won’t be such a slow time trying to practice. We’ll get right into games.”

Kauf explained that the organization is taking much of its direction currently from Sask. Sport, along with Baseball Canada.

The executive has started weekly meetings with baseball associations across Canada, with the best-case scenario remaining a July start.

“We’re hoping the sooner the better. If everybody follows all the rules, flattening that curve to get back into the game,” Kauf said.

In preparation for the 2020 season, the organization has gone digital to deliver both coaching and umpiring clinics, Kauf said.

He explained that the added online clinics will give them a head start when baseball can return to fields across Saskatchewan this summer.

One aspect of baseball this summer that Kauf wasn’t optimistic about, was the potential of playing the highest level of baseball in the nation.

“It’s not looking very good for the national championships.”

He indicated that current modelling may end the annual championships, but provincials and westerns look to be more promising at this point in the COVID-19 pandemic.