For the first time in over 10 years the Price Raptors will not participate in the Utah American Legion Baseball season, it was announced earlier this week by manager Willie Ellington.

Originally slated to participate in the 17U division, the Raptors were set to compete before the COVID-19 pandemic threatened the season. While operations were shutdown the team canceled its traditional fundraiser. When restrictions loosened the club was faced with several difficulties that they were unable to overcome.

“We started out with a real nice schedule and a great attitude to play,” said Ellington. “We were all ready to go, then we got hit with the pandemic. When we thought the season was going to get canceled some of the kids got involved with other things.”

While attempting to gather enough eligible players to compete, the Raptors were faced with another hurdle: no home games. Unable to play at their traditional home site, Carlson-Colosimo Field, a schedule consisting of straight road games was established.

Already working with a condensed season, the Raptors would have been traveling two-to-three times a week, playing double-headers each outing.

“I was kind of bothered by that just for the players,” Ellington said when asked about the straight road schedule. “It put a little pressure on us to figure things out. I understand the construction and the restrictions, so it made difficult on us to move along this season.”

The 2020 Utah American Legion season will look drastically different for those teams that are competing at each level. Teams will not be traveling out of the state for tournaments and the regular season will end on July 2. With the national and regional tournaments canceled, the state championship will be the end point for all teams.

Despite the season’s cancellation the Price Raptors fully intend on returning to the field in the summer of 2021, again competing in the 17U division.

“I’m expecting at least seven or eight kids from this team to come back next year,” said Ellington. “In talking to some of the coaches in the Babe Ruth League, there is quite a few more kids that will hopefully play and participate in American Legion baseball.”

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