The Butler County Area Baseball League has pushed back the beginning of its 2020 season.

BCABL play was originally slated to begin May 12. The league's 10 managers held a conference call last week and voted unanimously to move that date back to June 1.

With the high school season being canceled, BCABL president Larry Stelitano said it's “very important” that the league have a season this summer, even if it's abbreviated.

“And, of course, if it's allowed,” he said. “These kids have already lost their senior high school baseball season, some the first season of their college careers.

“Others, this is the only organized baseball they play at all. We don't want them to lose that.”

The league also awards scholarships each year to a handful of senior players.

If Gov. Tom Wolf's stay at home order is lifted May 8 and local organized baseball is permitted to resume, Stelitano said teams could be finalized by May 12 with practices set to begin May 15.

BCABL teams are Butler Township, Center Township, East Butler, Pine-Richland, Cranberry, Karns City, Freeport, Saxonburg, West Sunbury and Mars. The latter two were not in the league last year.

“We figure it will take a couple of weeks to get ready to play games,” Stelitano said. “Because there was no high school season, we don't want to damage any kid's arm. Some players have other commitments, too, and can't make all the practices.”

Should the league be able to begin June 1, it will operate under one of two scenarios. One is to play its full 18-game regular season schedule, which would likely involve Saturday doubleheaders.

The other is to divide the league into two five-team divisions. Each team would play its division foestwice each, the other teams once each for a 13-game schedule.

Stelitano emphasized the last feasible date the BCABL could play its tournament championship game is Aug. 1. Right now, the league's double-elimination tourney is slated to end July 23 or 24, with the All-Star Game scheduled for July 6.

“We like our tournament format and don't want to change that,” Stelitano said.

The BCABL Tournament would involve two play-in games — 7th place vs. 10th, 8th place vs. 9th — to determine the eight teams for the double-elimination field.

If the lifting of the stay at home order is moved back, Stelitano said the league could begin play June 15.

“That's the latest we could start,” he cautioned. “If we're pushed past that, I don't think we can have a season.”

Stelitano added that the league's coaches will convene again in 10 days to further structure its plans.