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Baycats out if IBL begins shortened season, says commissioner

'It's an asterisk season, for sure. We would even have to discuss whether or not we hand out a trophy,' says Kastner

If the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) were to have a shortened season starting around Canada Day, it could be without the reigning champion Barrie Baycats and two other high-profile teams in the eight-team loop.

IBL commissioner John Kastner confirmed to BarrieToday that, in addition to the Baycats, officials with the Kitchener Panthers and the Brantford Red Sox have also indicated they may not take part in the upcoming season for various reasons. 

On Wednesday, the IBL announced the 2020 season would not start until at least July 1 due to concerns over COVID-19.

Kastner says he's hopeful play could begin around the week of Canada Day, but told BarrieToday it isn’t an exact science, either.

“I think a lot of people in sports are hopeful of a Canada Day start to league play," he said. "I have heard the CFL hoping for that as well as Baseball Ontario.

"There isn’t anything factual to that date, but rather just one we have a target for and can prepare for," Kastner added. 

A statement on the league’s website says the “majority of teams, while realizing IBL baseball this summer may seem unlikely, are hopeful of playing a modified season; and that some teams have already resigned themselves that they will not operate in 2020.”

BarrieToday reached out to Baycats president David Mills, who said the team expects to make an announcement Thursday.

BarrieToday asked Kastner what a season could look like without Kitchener, Brantford and Barrie, whose local franchise has won six straight IBL titles.

“It's an asterisk season, for sure,” he said. “If we were able to get a shortened or altered season ready to go, it wouldn’t look like a regular season. We would even have to discuss whether or not we hand out a trophy.”

Kastner says these are trying times, as COVID-19 has left many people unable to plan their personal lives, let alone sports.

“There are eight teams in the league and most times, there are eight different opinions on issues," he said. "It allows for great dialogue and a collection of thoughts. In this case, Barrie, Brantford and Kitchener all have different but understandable reasons for not being able to put a team on the field for a reduced season.”

Kastner didn’t rule out allowing the teams to play if they changed their minds when the time comes to play.

The IBL has been around for a century in southern Ontario and the commissioner says preserving the league's integrity weighs heavily on his mind in the decision process.

“It's a fine line to have league play for the sake of continuing the over 100-year streak of play,” Kastner said. “It would not be to just do it, but rather, we have wondered if being a good distraction would be something that fans would need after all this.

"Again, nothing would be done unless it could be safely done for all involved," he added. 

The league has time to see how the health crisis plays out, which is why Kastner didn’t want to make an official cancellation announcement in April. Until then, he says the IBL will pay close attention to the news and progression of COVID-19.


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Shawn Gibson

About the Author: Shawn Gibson

Shawn Gibson is a staff writer based in Barrie
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