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| March 16, 2020 SSUSA Staff 3483 posts | CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE • SSUSA Cancels All Events for Next 60 Days SACRAMENTO, Calif. – We are in uncharted territory for both our sport and the world. Senior Softball-USA (SSUSA) is announcing today the cancelations of all SSUSA Tournaments for sixty (60) days, the cancelation of this year’s Pacific Rim Slow-Pitch Softball Federation Championships in Vancouver, Canada, and the postponement of the May International Tour and tournaments in Prague and Budapest until October of this year. Teams that have paid entry fees for scheduled SSUSA Qualifying Tournaments will be given a credit to use for future SSUSA tournaments. The tournament cancellations include: Spring National Championships Spring World Championships Tidewater Classic Cow Town Classic Chili Pepper Classic Gainesville Qualifier Salute to Service/First Responder Classic LVSSA/SSUSA Southwest Championships Music City Classic Apple Cup Iowa Spring Warm-Up Maryland Classic Texas State Championships Brickyard Invitational Oil City Classic Waterloo Iowa Senior Open Atlantic Coast Championships SSUSA expects to resume all normal tournament operations in mid-May beginning with the following tournaments: Top Gun Reno Tune Up Bobby Chapp Memorial Battle of the Roses High Desert Duel Rock ‘n Reno Challenge Cup CAN AM Crabtown Classic 40s Mountain Madness I In addition, SSUSA is recommending that all senior clubs, leagues and tournament associations cancel activities for 60 days as recommended by the US Center for Disease Control (CDC). SSUSA sanctions tournaments in 80 cities and senior leagues in 300 cities. Senior Softball USA is making these moves because of the rapid spread of the pandemic viral disease, Coronavirus (COVID-19), and because seniors are most at risk from the disease. According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the fatality rate for people 60-69 is about 3.6-percent and increases to 14.8-percent for those over 80. In comparison, for those under 49, it is less than 1 percent. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, and the disease has made its effects felt worldwide following the first confirmed case on Dec. 31 in Wuhan, China. Infecting more than 160,000 people (more than 6,000 deaths) in at least 140 countries, COVID-19 has affected not only global economies, but the sports world as well, with major sports leagues playing in empty stadiums/arenas, or postponing games altogether. Many states are outlawing gatherings of more than 50 or 100 people, and many municipalities are shutting down playing fields for all sports. For senior softball players, the danger is less because it is an outdoor game and SSUSA has introduced “social distancing” and new hygiene rules. But the danger is still present. For example, if just one player is infected and touches a ball in a game, it is possible to infect everyone else on both teams. Then, of course, when the players go home they can easily infect their families and loved ones. The bottom line is that the danger is greatest for senior players and we cannot ignore the danger. __________ Published: March 16, 2020 |
