This is the text of an email message from ZLL Board President Chad Antcliff which is being sent to all registered ZLL families regarding ZLL’s plans in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Good Afternoon ZLL Families,
I hope you and everyone in your family are healthy and safe. As we adjust to these uncertain times, we at Zionsville Little League greatly appreciate your continued support and patience. Since 1953, ZLL has been part of the fabric of life for many families in Zionsville. Countless youth have spent their springs playing baseball and softball with ZLL at Lions Park. It’s practically a rite of passage for a child in town to spend at least one spring playing ball. Our goal is always to provide our families a fun, motivating, safe, and supportive environment to learn the fundamentals of the game. The current environment forces us to re-evaluate every facet, big and small, of our player and family experience. The health and safety of our players, volunteers, and their families remain a priority for ZLL.
2020 was set to be an exciting spring for ZLL! We had over 900 players registered to participate. We added a Tee-Ball program, we planned major field improvements, and we envisioned other changes to elevate our player and family experience. Unfortunately, the Coronavirus pandemic has forced us to change our plans.
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you Zionsville Little League is postponing the 2020 Spring Season. The ZLL Board has not come to this decision lightly and discussed every scenario possible. We reviewed the information provided by Governor Holcomb last Friday and reviewed state/local health department guidelines. As a follow up to our review, we were advised by Little League International and the State of Indiana that ZLL could not begin practices until June 14th. With that information at hand, the board concluded it is in the best interest of our young people, families, and community to postpone our spring season.
The ZLL Board understands the value Zionsville families place on our programs and it is for that reason ZLL is planning to offer an extended Fall program for 2020. Our goal is to start the season in August and play into October, ending prior to ZCS Fall Break. As our state and local leadership guides us through the next several months, we will adjust our plans and provide our families with additional information.
Like many of you at home, we are taking this downtime to undertake significant improvements and projects at Lions Park. We are finishing many field improvements to Fields 2 and 3, which include new dugouts, new backstop fencing and playing surface improvements. We will be completing the installation of new bleachers on Fields 2 and 3, and we will be finishing planned concession upgrades. There are many other planned minor improvements which will be finished as well. All of which will make our player & family experience so much greater! And even though no baseball and softball will be taking place at the park this spring, ZLL has the financial obligation of maintaining the park through our shared arrangement with the Lions Club.
We understand that financial obligations are of the utmost importance to families during these unprecedented times. We are offering three options regarding your registration fees and they are as follows:
- Apply your Spring 2020 Fees towards your players Fall 2020 Registration Fees.
- Convert your Spring 2020 fees to a tax-deductible donation to ZLL. Should you choose this option, they will be directly applied to the many field maintenance and upgrades outlined above. We thank you in advance for considering this option!
- Refund of your Spring 2020 fees less $40 ZLL administrative & operational fees for the league.
Your feedback is critical in the success of Zionsville Little League. Please take a moment to complete an online form indicating your wishes for your registration fees (link below). Your preferences will also provide us with important information for Fall 2020 planning. We ask that you submit this form no later than Friday, May 22, 2020. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.
Spring Registration Fee Form: https://forms.gle/hSRJDjhYLwdpwp8w5
The Zionsville Little League Board, along with myself, wish each of your families health and safety and we hope to see you later this summer!
Thank you again for your continued support of ZLL.
Chad Antcliff
President
Zionsville Little League