06/22/2026
An Update From the Lefty Grove Baseball League Commissioner:
To Our Lefty Grove Baseball League Family,
I want to directly address the feedback and frustration we are seeing on our pages regarding the difficult decision to shorten our 2026 season. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and while I know this explanation won't change everyone's mind, I want to be transparent about how we arrived at this conclusion. This decision was not taken lightly.
Why the Season Was Delayed & Shortened
Player Safety First: The start of our season had to be pushed back because the fields were simply unplayable. This wasn't a matter of preference; it was a safety issue entirely out of the Board’s hands.
The Weather Factor: We have been evaluating our options for weeks, but Mother Nature simply hasn't cooperated, and the recent heavy rains forced our hand.
Why We Aren't Extending Into August
We have tried extending the season in the past. About five years ago, a similar weather situation pushed games into August. It created massive scheduling conflicts:
Families had already booked and paid for vacations.
Fall sports, like football, began practicing.
We faced a wave of late-season forfeits because teams couldn't field enough players.
In fact, every single year we hear from parents and coaches asking us not to push the season too late into the summer for these exact reasons. This year is no exception. Furthermore, weather disruptions have impacted everyone this spring—from local high school schedules to expensive travel ball tournaments being shortened or canceled.
Looking Forward
No one on the Board wanted to shorten the season, especially as we celebrate our historic 70th anniversary. With approximately 400 kids in our league, we knew that any decision we made would leave some families unhappy.
As the Commissioner of this league, the buck stops with me. If you need someone to be upset with, please direct that frustration toward me—just remember that I can only manage the schedule, not the weather.
We sincerely apologize to the players and families who are disappointed by a shorter season as we are disappointed as well. Our goal remains to provide the best, safest baseball experience possible under the circumstances.
Thank you to those who have reached out with understanding, and we look forward to making the most of the rest of our 70th season.
Thank you,
Wayne Bolton
Commissioner, Lefty Grove Baseball League