The Midland RockHounds minor league baseball team has pushed the celebration of the team's 50th season to 2022 even as it schedules other events at Momentum Bank Ballpark in light of the season's 2020’s cancellation due to COVID-19.
The announcement was made June 30 that the Minor League Baseball season 2020 was canceled, said the RockHounds’ website.
Major League Baseball's regular season will open Thursday, July 23, according to the league's website.
An Oakland Athletics’ Double-A affiliate, the RockHounds are part of the Double-A Texas League of Professional Baseball Clubs, said the Texas League’s website.
“It’s hard to believe,” Monty Hoppel, the RockHounds’ general manager, said in a press conference video about the cancellation that was posted June 30 on the RockHounds’ Facebook page. "We were patiently waiting, holding out hope.”
The team was scheduled to celebrate its 50th season in 2021. But since there will be no season in 2020, that milestone will be a year later.
“Our 50th anniversary season will be in 2022,” Hoppel said
“We were ready for a great year," he said of 2020. "Had a great off-season, a lot of new exciting improvements, and a lot of promotions.”
In the meantime, several events will be held at Momentum Bank Ballpark starting in July through April 2021. A two-day tournament of graduating high school seniors from the Permian Basin will be played Thursday and Friday, July 23-24, the team said..