Times Observer file photo

The Warren County Youth Baseball Association was looking to take a big step forward in 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic has thwarted that effort.

“It was a very hard decision but our Board of Directors has determined that it is necessary to cancel our 2020 Little League season,” the WCYBSA said in a Facebook post. “While it is still too soon to tell how much of a health impact COVID-19 might have on our local population, we have chosen to err on the side of caution.”

After a seven-year separation, WCYBSA announced a new charter with Little League for this season.

The biggest change was a return to Little League all-star tournament play — from districts to sectionals to states.

Earlier this month, local league officials were just hoping to salvage some type of season.

“Little League International has canceled all events from the sectional (all-star) level up to the World Series,” WCYBSA President Jeremy Wyman told the Times Observer earlier this month. “They are allowing the individual districts and leagues to continue with regular-season play once those areas are changed to ‘green,’ according to the governor’s office.”

If the season had occurred, it would have ended after districts because of those broader cancellations.

Local leagues were encouraged to wait until May 31 to officially cancel seasons.