20-21; A Season of starts and stops for Kids and Kubs

Six games into the new 20-21 intraclub competition, COVID-19 concerns about holiday traveling, spiking infection rates throughout Florida and the U.S., along with the Club membership's high-risk population, resulted in a plan to pause the scheduled games for a week after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years' Day.

COVID-19 was on all Kids and Kubs club members' minds as the 91st season opened ceremonially on November 5, 2020. City guidelines were still in place and directed wearing masks, recorded temperature, and social distancing within the dugouts and on the field where possible. Club Vice President Ed Broomes closely monitored each player's entrance to the playing field. Club membership stood at 46 members when Hal Olver threw the opening day game's first pitch. (November 3).

Six games into the intraclub competition, COVID-19 concerns about holiday traveling, spiking infection rates throughout Florida and the U.S., along with the Club membership's high-risk population, resulted in a plan to pause the scheduled games for a week after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years' Day.

At its meeting of Thursday, November 19, a vote of the Club members closed play after completing two games held Tuesday, November 24. Play resumed with two games on December 3. A suspension of play again occurred at the end of games held December 22; intraclub competition continues with a set of games Thursday, January,7,2021.

Looking into the future and assessing the further impact of predicted continued rise in Covid-19 cases before the leveling off of the surge; is likely to bring more stops and starts in activities that draw crowds of spectators or players. Already lost to the Kids and Kubs has been exhibition games with Tampa Bay General Transplant Team, Tasco Teen Clubs of Tampa. The annual Mayor's game tentatively for February 13 is in doubt.