The St. Marys Men’s Softball League will open its 2020 season Monday night, June 1, one month after their original start date due to the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions that have been imposed by the governor since late March.
Originally slated to begin the season May 4, the league had to wait until our county was moved from the red phase status, through the yellow phase, until finally Elk County was given the go ahead and moved to the final reopening phase, green, that Governor Tom Wolf set forth in order to try and keep the Covid-19 virus under control.
Under guidelines set forth by the governor and the state health department, sports leagues can now begin resuming practices and play games, beginning Friday May 29. Certain guidelines must still be adhered to, but the league is ready to begin.
According to league officials, a letter received from city manager Tim Pearson outlined guidelines that the league must follow that were laid out by the state health department and the CDC. Should Elk County be removed from the green phase and placed back in either the yellow or red phase, the league must cease all activities until such time the county would return to green status.
Opening night will begin with a finals rematch between the 2019 champions, St. Marys Insurance, and league runner up (2017 Champion) Allegheny Coatings. SMI won the title last year, defeating the Goats 3-1 in the best of five championship series.
In the night cap, Tyler Landscape and the East End Beverage Honkey Spuds, the top two teams from league play last year with identical 17-5 records, will square off.
This year’s league teams include St. Marys Insurance, Allegheny Coatings Goats, East End Beverage Honkey Spuds, Tyler Landscape, Eckert Technical Services (ETS), PA Powdered Metals, Deprators Beverage, N&S Contractors and Carlson Technologies.