Clarinda A's Baseball

On May 27th the MINK League made the decision to cancel the 2020 baseball season.  It was tough.  Our league held out as long as they could to make the decision, hoping that something might change.  In the end, the safety issues were just too big to overcome.  We want to thank all of the college coaches and players who had committed to play with us this summer. We understand your disappointment and sincerely apologize.

League players travel from all over the country to stay in homes in our small town. Testing all players or staying quarantined for 14 days would have been nearly impossible.  Even if we could overcome that hurdle, traveling to and from games maintaining safety on busses, in hotel rooms, and eating establishments posed further risk. Additionally, if just one member of the team came down with the illness, the entire team would likely need to isolate for 10-14 days, essentially ending the season.

For the Clarinda Iowa A’s, this means there will be no 66th season this summer.  For a family-operated team, this reality cuts deep to our hearts.  Pat Eberly (Mrs. E) has been popping corn and welcoming players to our community for 65 years.  Summer without the A’s just won’t feel like summer.  

While there will be no "Summer Sons" this year, in Clarinda there WILL be baseball. Iowa is the only state in the nation that plays high school baseball and softball in the summer.  Recently Governor Kim Reynolds announced that Iowa high schools will be allowed to play a shortened summer season.  Practice begins June 1st with games beginning June 15th. 

There will be baseball played at Eberly Field this summer after all.  It will look different, and the safety regulations and recommendations are numerous.  Nonetheless, there will be baseball.  Iowa is leading the nation as the first state to resume high school sports.   A’s General Manager, Rod Eberly, also happens to be the Clarinda High School head baseball coach.  

We pray for wisdom and safety for all players and coaches, and wish them Godspeed as they lead the nation back to baseball.  At this time we are unable to open the concession stand, but we hope to see some of you down at the field.