Local Sports: Woodpeckers Delayed; Marathon Cancelled; HS Hoops Postponed; Hockey Suspended
Local sports have started feeling the impacts of coronavirus as well, as the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, the All-American Marathon, and local high school sports all announced delays or cancellations.
Fayetteville Woodpeckers
Minor League Baseball, under which the Fayetteville Woodpeckers play, issued an official statement Thursday announcing a delay to start the season for all teams. The Woodpeckers, the Class A affiliate of the Houston Astros, tweeted out the statement from MiLB.
“In light of the current coronavirus outbreak, and after consultation with medical professionals and our partners at Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball will delay the start of the 2020 Championship Season. We will continue to monitor the developments and will announce additional information about the 2020 season at a later date. We will work with Major League Baseball and our community partners to resume play as soon as it is safe to do so. The health and safety of Minor League Baseball fans, players and executives is our top priority, and our thoughts are with those around the world who have been affected by this outbreak.”
Official Statement via @MiLB. pic.twitter.com/5pF9TmmQjn
— Fayetteville Woodpeckers (@WoodpeckersNC) March 12, 2020
All American Marathon
The All American Marathon events scheduled for March 28 and 29 have been canceled. Fort Bragg issued the announcement Thursday.
“Fort Bragg, in conjunction with the City of Fayetteville, is taking all appropriate measures to protect our community as much as possible. In an abundance of caution, the decision has been made to cancel the All American Marathon and all associated races and events.”
https://twitter.com/FtBraggNC/status/1238173399463219200
https://twitter.com/MLozanoABC11/status/1238172959971385344
North Carolina High School Sports
Two major impacts were announced Thursday, including the indefinite postponement of the state basketball championship games. Westover High School, E.E. Smith High School and Lumberton High School all were scheduled to play in championship games this weekend.
Additionally, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association announced that all interscholastic athletics have been suspended effective at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 13 and continuing at least through Monday, April 6.
🔹2020 NCHSAA Basketball State Championships postponed indefinitely.
— NCHSAA (@NCHSAA) March 12, 2020
🔸Spring sports suspended indefinitely including workouts, skill development, practices & contests. #NCHSAA pic.twitter.com/QabCDBbwMT
Fayetteville Marksmen Hockey
Late Thursday evening, the Fayetteville Marksmen announced that its league, the Southern Professional Hockey League, had suspended the season effective immediately.
For the safety of our fans, players, team personnel and arena staff, the Southern Professional Hockey League today announced that due to concerns over the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, it has suspended the 2019-2020 season effective immediately. https://t.co/tIl7WlDelT
— Fayetteville Marksmen (@Marksmen_Hockey) March 13, 2020
