Florida League Equipped with Plans to Play under Temporary League Restructuring

Florida League Equipped with Plans to Play under Temporary League Restructuring

 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects the virus has had on different parts of our country, the Florida League is announcing a plan to provide additional college players an opportunity to play competitive baseball this summer through a temporary restructuring. A 30-game season will begin the week of June 29th preceded by a 2-week pre-season to allow players an opportunity to prepare.

In what will be a different kind of season, the league will add teams and split into two divisions; Division I and Division II. The player cost will be the same for both Divisions.

Florida League Division I is invite only and will remain the elite league that has helped develop over 440 draft picks and 23 MLB promotions in just 16 seasons. Additional teams will be added to Division I as deemed appropriate.

Florida League Division II will offer an open registration and requires players to currently be on a college roster, be a committed 2020 high school senior, or attending a post-grad program with proven collegiate ability. Division II will hold an evaluation day for its college players with the opportunity to be selected to the additional Division I rosters.

Before we can definitively say the season will take place there are several phases that Florida must clear as outlined in the Re-open Florida Task Force’s plan. The most recent data for our region is encouraging. New cases have been declining since mid-April. In the four counties where we play games, there have been a total of 2,583 positive tests for COVID-19, representing 7% of the total cases in Florida. 59% of all cases in Florida are more than 2.5 hours away from us in Southeast Florida. Lastly, an important indicator of how widespread the virus is, the average overall percent of positive tests is 4.3% in the counties where we play. Statewide this number is 8.3% and has been steadily declining as testing has increased.

Due to these developments our Board of Directors has recommended proceeding with registration and new plans for an abbreviated season while monitoring the gradual re-opening of the state.

Registration is now open and players can secure a spot in Division II. Division I teams will continue to recruit and will be reviewing Division II registrations daily to extend invites to any players who are eligible and fill a need on their rosters.

Due to economic damage the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked on our crucial spring fundraising efforts, it is necessary for us to increase our fees temporarily to make this program possible. The position player fee will be $949 and there is a pitcher only fee of $600. Player fees are 100% refundable in the event the season does not take place. If a partial season takes place players will receive a prorated refund.

As our state begins to re-open with Phase 1, we will be watching the data very carefully. We will continue engaging with Major League Baseball and the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball. Guidance from local and state authorities will remain paramount, and we will not consider proceeding unless it is absolutely safe to do so. Should it be deemed safe, appropriate mitigation measures will be implemented in consultation with medical professionals and the facilities that we utilize.

Further updates will be provided on an ongoing basis.


FLORIDA LEAGUE DIVISION I

  • Invite only for elite college players, 30 game season
  • Preseason workouts begin June 15, season starts week of June 29, ends August 14
  • Each existing Florida League team is allowed to recruit a second team
  • Additional teams may be formed

Players interested in being considered for Division I should complete this interest form:
bit.ly/playfcsl2020
To ensure a spot in either Division sooner, it is recommended you sign up for Division II. The Division I coaches will be reviewing those registrations and making appropriate selections. The registrations are the same.


FLORIDA LEAGUE DIVISION II

  • Open registration, 30 game season
  • Preseason workouts begin June 15, season starts week of June 29, ends August 14
  • Players must meet one of the following:
    • Currently on a college roster
    • Committed 2020 high school senior
    • Attending a post grad program with proven collegiate baseball ability
  • College players will participate in preseason evaluation day in front of Division I managers with opportunity to be selected for Division I rosters

Players interested in registering for DIVISION II can complete this registration:

bit.ly/playfcsld2


OTHER DETAILS - BOTH DIVISIONS

  • Cautious and progressive pitch count policy implemented league-wide
  • Day games, night games, and double-headers
  • Players should have their own housing, no team meals, possibility of no fans
  • Player fees are 100% refundable if there is no season, prorated if interrupted
  • Position Player Cost: $949  |  Pitcher Only Cost: $600

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