Guelph Royals to sit out 2021 IBL season

June 21, 2021

Guelph, Ontario – The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) and the Guelph Royals have announced that the Royals will take a leave of absence for the 2021 season.

The IBL and its remaining seven clubs are still working towards a July 5 start date and a 30-game schedule.

The Royals are unable to operate citing the uncertainty of COVID-19 heading into a season that is scheduled to start in three weeks. In addition to the issues affecting all of Ontario, there was the spectre of additional issues in Guelph, including fan capacity limits and concessions.

The IBL is currently working on a process for the dispersal of Guelph Royals players and will release an updated 2021 schedule, including a new playoff format, in the coming days.

The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) is the top-level baseball league in Canada, boasting ex-major league professional and elite NCAA college baseball players. The 2021 season will mark the IBL’s 102nd in operation. The IBL is one of the longest continuously operated baseball leagues in the world and serves as a valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff. More than 40 IBL players have advanced to Major League Baseball or returned to the IBL following their MLB careers. The league is comprised of teams from Barrie, Brantford, Kitchener, London, Toronto, Guelph, Welland, and Hamilton.

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