WKTV - Summer collegiate baseball will not be taking place in central New York this year, as the New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL) and Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) have each announced the cancellation of their 2020 seasons.

The NYCBL made its announcement Tuesday afternoon, while the PGCBL released its decision on Wednesday afternoon.

The NYCBL, where the Rome Generals and Sherrill Silversmiths play, had previously announced that it would begin its season on June 15.

In a statement, the league thanked franchises, players, coaches, communities and sponsors for their support and said:

"We explored multiple options to try to play some version of a 2020 summer season. The NYCBL announces the cancellation of the 2020 season. Safety is our ultimate concern for everyone as we continue to follow both local, state and federal guidelines. We look forward to being stronger than ever for the 2021 season."

The NYCBL is a 12-team summer collegiate wooden bat development league, founded in 1978.

The PGCBL, where the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs, Utica Blue Sox, Adirondack Trail Blazers and Oneonta Outlaws play, was set to begin on May 29.

PGCBL President Robert Julian released a statement along with the announcement where he said:

"We have engaged in watchful waiting in the hope we could commence play on either May 29 or on a later date, but we are now persuaded that the likelihood and probability of either option is low to non-existent. We understand that the issues faced by our state and local governments create unsurmountable hurdles that prevent us from safely playing.

We recognize this is a great disappointment to our collegiate players, to our fans, our host communities, and the dedicated staff and owners who have spent so much of their lives making the league a vibrant part of collegiate baseball and the American baseball fabric."

According to Diamond Dawgs Owner/President/General Manager Travis Heiser, the vote to cancel the year was unanimous among the franchises around the league.

The PGCBL is a 13-team summer collegiate wooden bat development league, founded in 2011. It is affiliated with Perfect Game USA, the nation's largest independent amateur scouting bureau.

Both leagues plan on returning in the summer of 2021, with Julian stating that first responders, health care workers and other essential workers will receive special access to PGCBL events when play does begin again.