Update re: COVID-19 and 2020 University Baseball

As many may be aware now, due to the recent COVID-19 restrictions put into place by the NSW State Government, and on advice of Baseball NSW, the Sydney Winter Baseball League (SWBL) season has been cancelled for 2020, ruling out usual competition play for our 1st, 2nd and 3rd Grade squads. In addition, the Pacific Coast Baseball League has also been cancelled, meaning our 4th Grade squad will also not play.

While the possibility of a tournament-style competition has not been ruled out, there are no current plans in place. With restrictions set to ease over the coming weeks, and as per Baseball NSW’s announcement on 1/5/20, this may change; SUBC will make an announcement if any play is deemed possible during the winter season. The Unisport Div. 1 Baseball tournament for student athletes has also been postponed indefinitely until further notice.

Regarding our trial process and results, the Club in consultation with the coaching staff would like to thank every person who trialed. As a Club, we felt given the abrupt halt in the grading process (insufficient player data) and the small chance that we will register teams this season, we will not be naming either a Grade squad or a PCBL squad. We encourage all who trialed to keep up to date with all announcements made on our website and social media and hope to see you all again next year.

These are challenging times for us all. The MLB is yet to name a starting date for the 2020 season; MLB umpires are being asked to take 35% pay cuts and stadiums, which should be bustling with fans sit eerily quiet. We are all missing our Cynics jerseys, singing the club song, Tatonka, and above all, baseball. We hope to see you all on or around the diamond very soon.

SUBC Executive Committee