Kalispells Boys Of Summer Look To Kick Off Sports In Montana

In early March all organized sports across the nation came to a grinding halt due to the coronavirus pandemic, since then it has been a mystery as to when organized sports in Montana would begin again, until now.

It has been a quiet spring as the Montana High School Association postponed, and then eventually cancelled the  spring sports season. Following the governors orders the Montana-Alberta American Legion Baseball league decided to hold back their season, only to have the American Legion National Association pull all support of Legion baseball across the nation. With permission from the national organization the MAALB would create the Department of Montana American Legion Baseball in order to keep prep baseball alive in Montana in 2020.

On Monday the Kalispell Lakers announced they will lead the way in getting organized sports going again in Montana with games against the Glacier Twins Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, Saturday and Monday games being played in Kalispell, and Sunday in Whitefish. Teams will follow strict phase 1 guidelines set by the governor for gyms and restaurants, stadiums will operate at half capacity with strong social distancing among fans.

Things will work a little differently on the field as equipment will be sanitized at regular inter-voles, social distancing in the dugouts that will include spacing outside of dugout for players, no team water jugs or bottles, umpires will be asked to wear a face covering, and players will not shake hands before and after games.

All possible play this weekend is in the hands of the Flathead City-County Health Department who has allowed the teams to practice so far, which has given baseball fans throughout the Flathead a reason for hope that things are improving in this trying time.