Copperas Cove Parks and Rec cancels Baseball/Softball season

By TJ MAXWELL

Cove Leader-Press

The Copperas Cove Parks and Recreation Department recently announced the cancellation of the 2020 Baseball/Softball season after President Donald J. Trump extended the COVID-19 social distancing period until April 30.

After mostly all professional sports were cancelled or postponed, followed by the University Interscholastic League cancelling all activities though April, then eventually indefinitely, cities and states across the country are ordering residents to stay at home whenever possible and stay away from groups of 10 or more people.

Jeff Stoddard, director of Parks and Recreation, says the department will resume activities at the earliest possible moment.

“CCPARD will continue with all future leagues and events once cleared to do so by State officials,” he said. “If social distancing is rescinded, the leagues will continue.”

This has forced many businesses and organizations to halt activities for the foreseeable future.

The Parks and Recreation department decided to cancel the season rather than attempt a truncated one.

“With such a late start to the season, CCPARD would not be able to offer the appropriate number of games for your athletes,” the department said in a press release. “Running a full season with a later start date will interfere with the other scheduled programs in the future.”

CCPARD is also attempting to keep the athletes and their families engaged through activities on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/coveparksandrec/. 

Included in the activities is workout videos with Cove High School head swim coach and personal trainer Trish Stoddard, a Lip Sync Challenge and more.

Jeff Stoddard also encourages children to get outdoors and exercise.

“CCPARD has posted many activities on our Facebook page for children,” said Stoddard. “We also post workout/exercises that families can do together. Visiting parks are listed as an “essential activity” in GA-14 as long as social distancing is observed.”

The registration for youth volleyball and flag football is set to begin on April 20 with the volleyball season set to begin on June 8 and flag football set for a June 20 start.

“Unfortunately CCPARD has limited resources to engage children other than what has been outlined above.  If citizens “like” our FB page they will receive notifications of new contests and activities on our page as well as updates to our youth sports leagues.”

The Parks and Recreation staff has begun the process to refund the registration fees collected for nearly 700 athletes so it will take some time to complete. Due to the current situation, they are requesting that this process be completed by e-mail.

Please contact Caycee Hauck, Chauck@copperascovetx.gov, to receive the refund application. Once your form has been received by CCPARD staff, the appropriate paperwork will be submitted to the Finance Department for the refund. Please keep in mind that CCPARD registered over 700 athletes for the season and we will do our best to get your refund in a timely manner.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to e-mail Caycee Hauck at the above address.

For the protection of city employees, customers and residents all City of Copperas Cove offices will remain open for telephone, email and online services only. 

For more information on the novel coronavirus, contact the city’s COVID-19 Hotline at (254)542-8920. The hotline may be utilized as another resource by citizens who are seeking further information and wish to speak with a City staff member. The COVID-19 hotline is available on Monday through Friday from 9am to 7pm, and on Saturday from 8am to 12pm.