What has been a foregone conclusion in the minds of many has now become official:

Minor League Baseball, which in the nearby area includes the Double A New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Manchester and the Single A Lowell (Mass.) Spinners, will not have a 2020 season, thanks to COVID-19.

That announcement was made late Tuesday afternoon. The Fisher Cats, the Toronto Blue Jays Double A Eastern League affiliate, have already missed three months of their season, while the short season New York Penn League Lowell Spinners, a Class A Boston Red Sox affiliate, were slated to open the middle of last month.

“We’ve remained optimistic throughout this process and done everything we can to prepare for the 2020 season, so today’s news is difficult to hear,” Fisher Cats President Mike Ramshaw said in a statement. “But fan safety is our top priority, and we’ve already begun hosting safe, socially distanced events to make Delta Dental Stadium available to our community this summer.”

The Spinners released a statement that had a similar message.

“Though we are disappointed by MiLB’s decision,” their statement said, “the Spinners remain committed to continuing to work with the City of Lowell , Middlesex County, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts authorities to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all citizens during this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.”

The statement also hinted at other events at LeLacheur Park “at the appropriate time” later this year, in compliance with local protocols.

Basically, for this cancellation means that the only ticketed baseball events this summer in the general area will be Nashua Silver Knights games, in the amateur wooden bat Futures Collegiate Baseball League. That season begins Thursday night at Nashua’s Holman Stadium.

The FCBL has several alumni sprinkled through the minors, including former Silver Knights Mickey Gasper of Merrimack and Max Burt (North Andover, Mass.), who are in the New York Yankees system and will now not play this summer.

Many Major League teams, in an effort to save money, released several minor leaguers over the last few months to save money during the pandemic.

Major League teams are set to open summer camps today and start their seasons on July 23, and have several top minor leaguers on their camp rosters.

But now, for MiLB, attention will eventually shift to the discussions of a new working agreement with Major League Baseball. Past discussions have threatened the existence of some franchises, including short season teams like the Spinners. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has made it well known he wants to cut down on the number of minor league teams beginning in 2021.

The Spinners did say in their statement they were looking forward to returning in 2021.

Tuesday’s move was certainly expected. In fact, Fisher Cats majority owner Art Solomon had revealed in a published report nearly two months ago that the team would not play this season.

The Cats said in their release Tuesday that season ticket holders, mini-plan holders, and fans who booked groups, suites, and other hospitality nights in 2020 will automatically receive a 125 percent credit on their deposit to be used toward the 2021 season. Single game tickets from the 2020 season can be redeemed for any Fisher Cats home game in 2021.

Also, while team offices are closed, the club said staffers will be contacting fans about their current ticket packages.

Meanwhile, the Spinners said all ticket deposits and purchases for the 2020 season will be credited towards the 2021 campaign. The Spinners also will give each purchaser an additional 10 percent in ticket value. For example, if $200 in tickets were purchased for the 2020 season, the purchaser will receive $220 in ticket credits for 2021.

All Spinners ticket related inquiries will be handled via email at info@lowellspinners.com.

For Manchester, it’s that city’s first summer without professional baseball in 17 years, and Lowell’s first since 1995.

“As we get through these difficult times together,” Ramshaw said, “I’m confident Fisher Cats baseball will be back and better than ever in 2021.”

Newsletter