(UPDATE, 5:38 PM, May 29, 2020) – Hear from West Virginia Miners manager Tim Epling as he shares his thoughts on the Prospect League’s decision to cancel the 2020 season. Epling is optimistic that Epling Stadium will be able to host additional baseball-related activities later this summer.
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WOAY – The Prospect League announced Friday that its 2020 season has been canceled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, Prospect League commissioner Dennis Bastien said, “The Prospect League is not alone in the baseball world in the difficult decision that we had to make…..As we hung on to hope for a shortened season, the reality of our responsibility to the teams of people who make our season possible could not be met in the manner we felt necessary. It is a heartbreaking time for team owners as they feel the weight of this loss for their players, their fans and their communities. This was an exceptionally difficult decision made in an unprecedented time.”
The West Virginia Miners have been members of the Prospect League since 2010, playing home games at Linda K. Epling Stadium in Beckley. They won league championships in 2012, 2013, and 2016.
Back in March, the league had announced there were no planned changes to its season, but in April made the decision to postpone the start of the season until July 1. Their original Opening Day would’ve occurred on Thursday, May 28.
