Justin St. Ours | Daily Press Escanaba’s Brady Ison slides into home plate while Gladstone catcher Braxton Breitenbach waits for the ball June 28, 2019 at Escanaba. Little League state tournaments in Michigan have been canceled for the 2020 season due to COVID-19.

NORWAY — There will not be Little League baseball or softball state tournaments held this summer in Michigan. The state’s 16 Little League district administrators have voted to cancel state tournaments after Little League International canceled regional tournaments and the World Series a couple weeks ago.

Little League International gave individual states permission to have tournaments up to, and including, state tournaments.

However, state tournaments will not happen in Michigan this summer.

Norway had been scheduled to host its second state tournament, last doing so in 2001. This time, it was set to host the 8-10 year-old boys baseball state tournament at Marion Park in Norway in mid-July.

“It’s always a disappointment when things get canceled, but there was no way that the Michigan Little League could hold a state tournament this year,” said Norway Area Little League Treasurer Brett Baij. “We were looking forward to showing off this area, but with the cancellation of all the state tournaments, we will now be hosting that tournament in 2021.”

The Michigan district administrators said that regular season Little League games could still be played, as well as district tournaments, in areas where conditions warrant. No decisions have been made at this time for any of the area Little League organizations.

“Baseball and softball are such a huge part of many kids’ summer plans that we are going to do whatever we can to get the kids playing and allowing them to spend time outside with their friends and teammates,” Baij said.

“We don’t know when that might happen, but once gatherings are allowed to be held, we will be working with the local municipalities and other leagues to work out a schedule and see if we can get some games in this year. Safety of the players and fans will always be our number one priority when looking at starting a season.”

The new District 10 President is Renee Lundberg of Gladstone. She takes over for longtime President Don Howes, also of Gladstone.

District 10 includes Little League teams from Gladstone, Escanaba and Bark River areas as well.