By Ed Payne | April 30, 2020 at 3:49 PM EDT – Updated May 1 at 8:57 AM
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Gray News) – For the first time in its history, the Little League World Series is being canceled, organizers said Thursday.
“This is a heartbreaking decision for everyone at Little League International, but more so for those millions of Little Leaguers who have dreamt of one day playing in one of our seven World Series events,” said Little League President and CEO Stephen Keener. But “it will not be possible to proceed with our tournaments as we’ve hosted them for nearly 75 years.”
This summer would have been the 74th playing of the tournament. The Little League World Series has been held every August since 1947.
“Delivering this news comes with a very heavy heart,” said Hugh Tanner, Chairman of the Little League International Board of Directors.” We have never had to cancel our World Series tournaments, but, right now, as our world comes together, we must do everything we can to help stem the spread of this deadly virus.”
The decision was made after consulting with government, sports and health officials around the world. Some 6,500 community-based Little League programs in 84 countries are involved in the global competition.
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