For the first time since World War II, there will be no Cape Cod Baseball League games this summer -- and no Wareham Gatemen games at Spillane Field.

The League’s Executive Committee voted to cancel the season after determining that it would be impossible to guarantee the safety of players, coaches, umpires, host families, volunteers, and fans this summer. 

“The bottom line was the risk was too great for the reward,” said Glen Hannington, the Wareham Gatemen’s Senior Vice President.

Hannington said that the league’s leadership and officials from the league’s ten teams have had a number of meetings over the past several weeks, and initially considered hosting a shortened season that would begin on July 1. But they came to the decision that even a delayed season was too risky.

“You know, how do you social distance in a dugout?” Hannington asked.

The league is composed of players and interns from around the country who stay in the private homes of host families, many of whom were concerned about the health risks of inviting a player to live with them. 

Additionally, all the teams use fields on town and school property, and it is unclear whether those facilities will be open to the public at all this summer.
Hannington described the decision as “very disappointing” but a necessary sacrifice, and noted that many leagues across the country look to the Cape Cod Baseball League as the standard-bearer -- making a timely decision even more important.

Two major events were scheduled for the Gatemen this summer, and Hannington hopes they will be rescheduled for next year. Wareham was set to host the league’s all-star game, as well as a game against the Israeli Olympic team.