March 12th, 2020 – 6:30 PM
Kevin Karel : RRP Sports Director-
Minor League Baseball in conjunction with Major League Baseball announced on Thursday that the start
of the 2020 Season will be delayed due to concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The
delay means the previously scheduled Opener for the Rome Braves on April 9th versus the Hagerstown
Suns at State Mutual Stadium is postponed indefinitely.
MLB announced earlier in the day an abrupt end to spring training exhibition games in Florida and
Arizona and said the start of the major league season would be delayed by at least two weeks. The
Atlanta Braves had been scheduled to open the 2020 regular season against the Diamondbacks on
March 26 th at Chase Field in Phoenix.
In a press release Thursday afternoon Minor League Baseball stated “In light of the current coronavirus
outbreak, and after consultation with medical professionals and our partners at Major League Baseball,
Minor League Baseball will delay the start of the 2020 Championship Season. We will continue to
monitor the developments and will announce additional information about the 2020 season at a later
date. We will work with Major League Baseball and our community partners to resume play as soon as it
is safe to do so.
The health and safety of Minor League Baseball fans, players and executives is our top
priority, and our thoughts are with those around the world who have been affected by this outbreak.”
MLB and Minor League Baseball joined other professional leagues including Major League Soccer, the
NBA and NHL in suspending their seasons. The 2020 Division 1 NCAA Tournament and Final Four, which
had been scheduled to be played in Atlanta, were also cancelled on Thursday.