Windermere Little League cancels fall season

The Windermere Little League has canceled its fall 2020 season.

In a Facebook post Thursday, Aug. 13, the league's board of directors wrote: "The WLL Board of Directors have been working hard with (Orange) County Parks and Recreation leadership and local health professionals to determine whether we would be able to offer a formal fall season. We have held off as long as we could in making a final decision, but to be fair to our member families and allow for them to plan for their children’s recreational sports plans for the fall season, we are left with no choice but to notify you that we are unable to move forward with a fall 2020 season.

Unfortunately, at the current time, the county Parks and Recreation Division remains in Phase 1 of its re-opening plan," the board members said."They had hoped to advance to Phase 2 in July, but with the increase in COVID-19 cases across the state, the transition was indefinitely delayed. In Phase 1, the league is unable to play games and is only eligible for limited practice slots at the complex. With no available timeframe to move to Phase 2, and given the amount of time it takes for us to register players and start a season, we no longer feel like we have enough time to execute a successful fall season.

"The WLL board is as disappointed as all of our member families," they wrote. "There is nothing more than any of us would like but to have the boys and girls playing baseball and softball on our fields. WLL will continue to monitor the Parks & Recreation field availability and the overall COVID-19 case situation in our area; and if and when we are able to play any baseball or softball, we will attempt to offer a 'Sandlot-style' offering for whatever period of time we can this fall." 

Winter Garden Little League also has canceled its fall season.

However, because Dr. Phillips Little League does not play on fields managed by Orange County, it will host its fall season. Fall registration closes at 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, with practices beginning the week of Sept. 8. Opening Day is scheduled for 9 am.. Saturday, Sept. 19.