Stratford Brakettes Cancel First Two Weeks Of Softball Season

STRATFORD, CT — The Stratford Brakettes have announced that the first two weeks of the 2020 season have been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. Opening day for the Stratford-based Major League softball team is now scheduled for the weekend of June 20 at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field.

Originally, the Brakettes were booked to start June 5 to June 7 against the Junior Brakettes and the Connecticut Eliminators women's teams, according to an announcement from the team. Those games will be rescheduled. Both the Stratford and Junior Brakettes were slated to participate in the Cornfield Classic on June 13 and June 14 in Lyons, Pennsylvania. That event was canceled because Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has yet to open Lehigh County.

“We're hopeful the downward trends of the virus continue in Connecticut and we will be able to begin our 74th season in four weeks,” Brakettes General Manager Bob Baird said in the announcement. “While everyone in our organization is anxious to get back on the field, the safety of the players, coaches, volunteers, and spectators is our paramount concern.”

In April, a doubleheader scheduled against the U.S. Olympic softball team was postponed in the middle of the team's Stand Beside Her Tour. With the Olympic Games postponed until 2021, the tour will resume next year with another twin bill with the Brakettes.

“The pandemic occurred at the same time we had begun our annual fund-raising drive," Baird said in the announcement. "Needless to say, we are way behind in those efforts."

Season ticket forms are available at www.brakettes.com, as are entry forms for the Joan Joyce/Brakettes Pitch and Putt golf tournament, as well as other sponsorship opportunities. The golf tournament was scheduled for June 27, but has been postponed until further notice.

The Brakettes compiled a 46-1 record last year en route to their 37th national championship, including the team's ninth Women's Major Softball National Championship in 11 years. The 12th annual national championship event is set for Aug. 6 to Aug. 9 at DeLuca field and the Short Beach recreation complex.

The Junior Brakettes are under the tutelage of former Brakettes catcher Mary Sciglimpaglia. The Junior Brakettes were 25-13-1 in their inaugural season, which included an opening night 3-1 win over the Stratford Brakettes.

Both teams' schedules are being revised and are expected to be posted online by the end of the week. For additional information, contact Baird at 203-218-1066 or brakettesgm@gmail.com.