BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Earlier this week it was announced that the Miners baseball team will not have a 2023 season as they will take this time to seek a better and brighter future for the team and its members. supporters.
According to team co-owner Doug Epling, several factors influenced the decision not to play in 2023. Epling says the COVID-19 pandemic, issues with the current league and the team’s schedule were the main issues that led to the decision. “2020, we as a League have canceled the season. For 2021 and 2022, COVID has drained the team multiple times, and league scheduling has created huge issues for our team,” Epling said.
“The planning of our teams required trips that sometimes lasted eight or nine days, without public holidays or our public holidays having to be spent outside. These trips meant higher expenses as we had to travel with our entire team for longer periods of time.
The constant back and forth was hurting the team, according to Epling.
“It resulted in a team that was tired. All of these circumstances made us feel like our fans weren’t getting the home experience we seek and deserve. We had a tired squad that was reduced by players who couldn’t play due to COVID and/or other injuries,” Epling explained.
The team and its owners have raised concerns about the Prospect League, but their words have “fallen on deaf ears” to officials, but the recent announcement has caught the League’s attention. . “Since we made the decision not to play in 2023, the League Board has changed and we believe the new changes will move the League in the right direction,” Epling said.
No official announcement has been made as to whether a new league is being considered or if the Minors intend to remain in the Prospect League.
Epling says it costs about $138,000 to operate each year and last year’s expenses were nearly $180,000 due to extensive travel to away games.
Although the team will not be competing next year, events will still be held at Linda K. Epling Stadium. The MEC Tournament will take place at the Stadium, as in past years.
The annual fireworks display will continue as scheduled and is expected to be the largest ever on July 1, 2023. The stadium will also continue to host college games as well as local school games.
Although 2023 isn’t what the miners had hoped for, Epling is grateful for the support from the community and the team’s fans.
“We would like to thank our generous sponsors and loyal supporters for their support over the years. We look forward to a brighter and better future,” Epling said.
