After ongoing conversations with California Collegiate Leauge (CCL) management and CCL member ownership groups, the CCL has altered the start date for the 2020 season. The Orange County Riptide, a member of the CCL, in conjunction with CCL member teams, has amended the 2020 schedule to start July 1, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement issued on the CCL official website, the CCL agreed to still move forward with a modified schedule in 2020.
[gdlr_quote align=”center” ]…the franchise members of the California Collegiate League have passed a motion to start the 2020 season on Wednesday, July 1st.[/gdlr_quote]
The altered schedule means the non-conference contests to be held in Alaska hosted by the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks will be canceled. The bulk of the June OC Riptide schedule will either be canceled with non-CCL opponents or shuffled into July to accommodate a schedule comprised of only CCL opponents.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the response by federal, state and local government agencies has caused a ripple effect across collegiate sports, including the cancellation of the College World Series and the subsequent entirety of the college baseball season. Many college baseball players across all levels were shorted their playing season and are seeking to help sharpen their skills during the summer. Depending on the reopening schedule set forth by state and local officials, the Orange County Riptide and the CCL wants to provide that outlet even if it is comprised of a condensed season.
With a shortened season still on the horizon, the OC Riptide is still seeking host families to host out of the area players who are still interested in playing for the Riptide. If you would like to know more about becoming a summer baseball host family, please visit the OC Riptide Host Family information page. The more host families available increases the number of out of the area players the OC Riptide can invite to play summer ball in Southern California.
In addition to host families, the Orange County Riptide seeks interns to fill roles for the upcoming 2020 season. The main internship roles available within the OC Riptide baseball internship program are in the field of game day operations. If interested, please visit the OC Riptide Internship Opportunities page.
The OC Riptide is hopeful that the 2020 summer baseball season can still commence, albeit in a shortened and abbreviated season. The OC Riptide is committed to our mission of providing a positive environment for young men who aspire for a higher education and to pursue professional baseball within the framework of collegiate competition.
