KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Kalamazoo Growlers baseball team announced Wednesday that its July 8 game will be postponed after a meeting with the Kalamazoo County Health Department and Sheriff’s office.
In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, officials explained that the Growlers and the Kalamazoo Mac Daddies were informed not to play earlier in the day.
Officials say the team was notified that if the team played under the premise of Executive Order 2020-133, “Restarting professional sports,” that professional players are safe to play baseball if 6 feet distancing was maintained to the extent compatible with the sporting activity.
Because the teams are composed of college athletes, the teams do not qualify for the professional sports exception unless their players were paid, which would forfeit their college eligibility.
If the team played under the premise that the players were amateur athletes, the same sport of baseball that is safe to play for professional athletes under Order 2020-133 is not permissible for amateur athletes because they must maintain six feet distance from one another “at all times” during such activities, pursuant to Executive Order 2020-110.
Officials say the teams maintain the following health restrictions under the COVID-19 pandemic:
- All players are tested for COVID-19 upon their arrival.
- Players, coaches, umpires and staff take a health screening and daily temperature check.
- Bronson Sports Medicine trainers are on site every game and practice and team doctors are advising the team on safety precautions.
- Equipment is designated for each player and wiped down throughout the game.
- Staff, players and coaches are required to wear masks when not actively participating in the game.
- Players are maintaining 6 feet distance in dugouts, bullpens, national anthems, and all other areas pre-game and post-game to the maximum extent possible.
Additionally, only 100 attendees were allowed to be inside the 4,000+ person stadium, or 2.5% of its total capacity.
“The Growlers hope to have more clarity as to the timing and reasoning behind this abrupt decision after receiving prior approvals as of June 29th,” officials said. “The Growlers have consulted its legal counsel, Willis Law, which is currently addressing this matter with the County and Attorney General.”
Anyone that has tickets for games missed will have tickets for future games later this summer and Growlers representatives will be contacting those ticket holders with updates.
Games later this week could be postponed as well, and the team will have future updates as the team is notified.
