Clark County’s West Coast League team makes ‘very difficult’ decision
RIDGEFIELD — The Ridgefield Raptors are heartbroken, according to Gus Farah, the team’s general manager.
After preparing for a season, after hoping to bring some sort of relief to Clark County fans, the Raptors announced Friday morning that there would be no baseball in Ridgefield this summer.
The plan is for the West Coast League team that plays its home games at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex to return in June of 2021
“We love the roster we had, which included 10 local kids,” Farah said. “It was going to be a special summer. We were going to be able to keep a lot of kids at home and play in front of their neighbors and family.
“Our approach will be the same next year, to try to find local kids who can produce amazing baseball in Southwest Washington.”
Until then, Farah said, “We’re going to miss our fans.”
A recent concentration of positive tests for COVID-19 in Clark County led to the decision, the Raptors said in a release posted on the team’s social media sites.
The Raptors were hoping Clark County would have moved into Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan by the end of May in hopes of playing a condensed schedule later in the summer. That did not happen, and now the time obstacle was too much to overcome.
“We just aren’t comfortable with the hurdles that are left in front of us,” Farah said, noting safety must come first.
“After much deliberation, and careful analysis of the facts available, it is with heavy hearts that the Ridgefield Raptors staff is announcing the cancellation of our 2020 season,” the Raptors said in the release.
Farah is saddened by the development.
“I want to reiterate, this is a very, very difficult decision. It feels personal because of our commitment to the community.”
For weeks, for months even, Farah has said that if at all possible, the Raptors would field a team. The Raptors wanted to bring entertainment, and a bit of relief, to those in the community who have endured so much during the pandemic.
“We thank all of Raptor Nation including our players, supporters, sponsors, host families, and local leaders who have been a source of encouragement for us every step of the way.”
