ROCHELLE — Little League President & CEO Steve Keener announced Thursday afternoon that all World Series baseball and softball championship tournaments for the 2020 season are canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Despite the cancellations, Keener expressed optimism that baseball and softball could be played at the state and local levels.

Operations for all Little League organizations, including Rochelle Little League, are currently suspended through May 11 under recommendations from the CDC. While Keener didn’t reveal any extensions of the suspension on Thursday, Little League organizations in Illinois may have to wait until June to compete as a result of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s revised stay-at-home order.

“There’s optimism,” Keener said. “As states begin to reopen and allow activities to be pursued, only then would we advise that our local organizations restart or begin their 2020 Little League seasons. We’re hopeful that our organizations will attempt to do that so the millions of kids who are confined to their homes or are isolated and frustrated will have a 2020 season. Unfortunately, that season will not conclude at the regional or World Series tournaments.”

Rochelle Little League Vice President Roman Villalobos said the local organization hasn’t made any final decisions regarding the 2020 season. Any updates from Rochelle Little League will be posted online at www.rochellelittleleague.com or the organization’s Facebook page.