Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the North Dakota American Legion took some precautionary measures. A Twitter post from the North Dakota Legion’s official account on Thursday night confirmed the cancellation of the North Dakota American Legion baseball for the season.

The NDHSAA has placed a suspension on high school sports, but has not officially canceled spring athletic seasons. Because the Legion season was not scheduled to start until June, the cancellation sent shockwaves across Twitter.

“The lack of information available at the moment doesn’t make this seem like it’s truly final,” Minot Vistas head coach Pat Arnston said.

Because this is a fluid situation, Legion coaches are discussing future plans. In Fargo Post 2’s Twitter post on Friday afternoon, Fargo Post 2 Chairman Corey Thompson addressed the cancellation.

“It is the opinion of Fargo Post 2 baseball club that it is far too soon for a decision of that magnitude,” Thompson said in the statement. “As a result, we are actively working to create a schedule for our young men to play baseball as soon as it is safe to do so. We are working with other clubs in the state to devise a plan. Obviously, the COVID-19 virus will dictate the timeline.”

The future remains uncertain, but Arnston has stayed in contact with his players over the past few days.

“We’ve tried to communicate to our guys to keep getting ready in whatever capacity they can,” Arnston said. “Just in case there’s an open window to play some sort of baseball, no matter how organized it is. Just so we can give them something resembling a baseball season this summer.”

At 9 p.m. on Friday, the North Dakota American Legion’s Twitter account sent out another post about the cancellation. The Legion stated that the decision to cancel the baseball season will be revisited on April 20.

American Legion Post 42 donates to DCB baseball program

BOTTINEAU — The Dakota College at Bottineau baseball program received a $1,000 donation from American Legion Post 42.

American Legion members nationwide became involved with baseball within their respective communities after World War II to provide a great experience for kids. The Bottineau community continues to thrive with American Legion Baseball because of Harley Getzlaff, nicknamed “Mr. Baseball” because of his love for the game.

Getzlaff, along with past Legion member Lloyd Alwalt, were extremely instrumental in American Legion Baseball for many years until Alwalt passed away.

Today, numerous senior citizens will comment about playing baseball where the present-day Bottineau County Veterans Memorial Hall is now located.

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