After very careful consideration of
many relevant factors, the board of directors of Turtle Club
Baseball and Softball has made the very difficult decision to cancel the 2020
house league season.
The factors considered by the board included but were not limited to the period of time remaining in the summer season, the fact that our area is still in Phase One and baseball and softball games cannot be played until our area is in Phase Three, the provincial gathering restrictions, the inability, in our view, to fully implement, at this time, Baseball Ontario's return to baseball COVID-19 guidelines in our house league program, the effect of these guidelines on the enjoyment of house league baseball and softball by our players, coaches and spectators, and the sizeable number of house league players that we have, particularly in the younger divisions.
The health and welfare of our participants is and always will be the top priority for us, and we remain committed to the safe return to baseball and softball. For our house league players, this return will be in the 2021 season, with the possibility of an outdoor clinic later this year, for each of our house league divisions, if permitted by public health authorities.
With the cancellation of the 2020 house league season, the club is offering registered players two options:
(1) a full credit equal to the 2021 house league registration fee, including any rate increase, to be applied in the 2021 season, without any obligation for 2020 expenses (the “Full Credit Option”); or
(2) a 90% refund, to be applied to the credit card used for payment of the 2020 registration fee, or, if this cannot be processed, to be paid by cheque mailed to the address, and made payable to the first parent, in the registration record (the “Refund Option”).
The 10% deduction of the fees paid by any players who choose the Refund Option will be applied to the costs of the indoor house league clinics held in February and March (primarily gym rental charges), as well as incurred registration payment processing charges, but nothing else. The club will be using its own reserve funds to pay for remaining clinic and payment processing costs, as well as significant other expenses that are incurred, whether or not a season occurs, such as utilities, grounds and maintenance, insurance, and website expenses.
To clarify the Full Credit Option, whatever fee paid for the 2020 season by a player choosing this option will be the player’s registration fee for 2021, and the 2021 registration fee will be paid in full. Information regarding the steps to be taken by players choosing this option to register for 2021 will be provided on a later date. The club’s regular refund policy will resume on August 1, 2020.
House league players may use this link to access the online form to make the choice of the two options:
https://turtleclubbaseball.com/Forms/2450/2020_TC_HOUSE_LEAGUE_CANCELLATION_OPTIONS/
The form is also available in the Registration tab of our website.
Only players who choose the Full Credit Option will be eligible to participate in any 2020 outdoor house league clinic that the club may offer, if possible, in 2020.
The deadline for submitting a choice of options is July 31, 2020, after which date, if no option is submitted, the player will be deemed to have chosen the Full Credit Option.