The American Legion World Series and all eight regional tournaments have been canceled for 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, The American Legion announced Tuesday, April 7.
"These times are unparalleled," said Richard Anderson, chairman of the American Legion's Americanism Commission. "And while it is distressing to think of all those youth across the nation who are disappointed to learn of the cancellation of American Legion programs this year, it would be a much, much greater tragedy if even just one of those youth were to fall ill during a program."
The American Legion also cited that more than 500 players, coaches and volunteer staff would be traveling in August for the regional tournaments and the World Series, while attracting thousands of fans.
"Many of these individuals are of a high-risk demographic," the news release stated.
Fargo Post 2 advanced to the American Legion World Series championship game last summer. North Dakota canceled its American Legion season earlier this month, but then decided to revisit that decisions on April 20.
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Todd Rheault is the vice president of West Fargo Baseball that also includes the West Fargo Patriots Legion team. He recently said if the World Series and regional tournament are canceled that doesn't necessarily mean North Dakota can't have a season.
“That doesn’t mean each respective state can’t have a regular season and a state tournament,” Rheault said last week. “If COVID-19 is still a part of it, we’re going to take every precaution. … But once all those guidelines would be lifted and we feel it’s safe, we would try to find a way for these kids to play baseball.”
