Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage
The coronavirus outbreak has hit the sports world hard.
Major League Baseball announced on Thursday that all Spring Training games will be suspended and will delay the start of the 2020 season by at least two weeks. Minor League Baseball followed in delaying its start of the year with no set date for return.
The Reno Aces, Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, were scheduled to open the season against the reigning Pacific Coast League champion Sacramento River Cats on April 9 at Greater Nevada Field.
MiLB released the following statement addressing the coronavirus.
“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.”
Along with professional baseball, the Mountain West Conference announced on Thursday that all spring sports will be suspended due to the coronavirus.
The Mountain West Conference released the following statement on Thursday.
“Given the current status of COVID-19, the Mountain West Board of Directors has suspended all spring sport competitions indefinitely. The health and well-being of student-athletes, as well as the campus and general communities, is of utmost priority,” the statement read. “Therefore, the Board has determined the most prudent course of action is to align with the recommendations of public health care and government officials to help limit the spread of the virus.”
The suspension of spring sports puts Nevada’s baseball, softball, men’s golf, women’s golf, track and field, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, and women’s swim and dive teams on hold for the 2020 season.
Nevada’s spring sports suspensions follows the canceling of the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
The College Basketball Invitational Tournament was cancelled on Wednesday due to the Coronavirus, which seemed to be the Wolf Pack’s most likely postseason destination.
Professional and collegiate sports will be put on hold for the time being. Tahoe Onstage will provide updates as more information becomes available.
— Isaiah Burrows
