MONROE — Little league baseball, softball and a variety of other summer activities planned by the Monroe Parks and Recreation Department are now being affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. On April 21, recreation supervisor Matt Skibba sent an update to the families of baseball and softball players laying out some of the changes. 

The registration deadline for all baseball and softball programs is now Friday, May 8. There is currently no cost at the moment to register. If the season is played, the department will invoice families at a later date. This deadline includes all lassie softball, all minor league baseball, American and National League Baseball, as well as Cadet, Junior and Senior League Softball. 

“Second, with regard to the season itself, obviously, if we are able to offer any type of season, there will be modifications,” according to Skibba. “These modifications could include, but are not limited to: Season length, number of games and/or practices, travel limitations, out-of-town teams included, fans being allowed to watch from the bleachers, etc.”

Skibba said the department’s main goal is to offer whatever is possible this summer. 

“Hopefully, if this new ‘Safer at Home’ order is not extended again and we can gather in groups of 50, then we can start games in mid to late June and go six or seven weeks,” Skibba wrote. “However, if that is not the case, and we have to wait until July, and the season is only four weeks long and there are no practices before games start, then that’s what we will do.”

Skibba said that interested players, sponsors or volunteer coaches should let the office know when registering. Any other questions can be forwarded to Skibba at 608-329-2466 or mskibba@cityofmonroe.org.