Edwardsburg Little League playing sandlot games
EDWARDSBURG — The Edwardsburg Little League season has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that does not mean there will not be games played on its fields this summer.
Jason Welsch, league president, announced that it will host sandlot baseball for boys ages 7 to 16 years old beginning on June 23.
The 7-8 and 8-10 divisions will play on Monday nights, while divisions 10-12 and 13-16 will play on Wednesday nights. Each night the divisions will play doubleheaders with games at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
There is no cost to play in the games.
The Edwardsburg Little League Board will not be policing the park, according to Welsch. They may make suggestions, but it will be up to parents to control their children and their choices. No bathrooms will be available, but Joy’s Johns will be present at the park.
There will also be no concessions, so parents and players should provide their own snacks and beverages. The league asked that all bottles and wrappers be deposed of in receptacles. No sunflower seeds will be allowed.
“An adult must be present in the park for each child,” Welsch said. “No drop-offs unless you have arranged with a parent staying to watch your child and be responsible for them. Any kid can play sandlot ball at our park this year. The must go to the ELL website and register for free, however, so we know they are playing. If you have already registered to play this season, you are good to go. Visit the site at ell.sportsngin.com.”
Welsch added that players (when able) will be picking teams, making rules and being their own umpires.
“This builds teamwork and character,” he said. “For the younger kids, adults please help keep them safe and somewhat organized, but give them some autonomy whenever possible. If using a pitching machine, a parent must feed the machine.”
Board members will be on hand all four days, but will need parent volunteers to assist with the initial practices, field safety, game management and equipment sanitizing.