Though Little League International already has canceled its regional tournaments and the very popular Little League World Series because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a half-dozen area Little League organizations in Ohio District 2 (Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Portage counties) are making plans still to have a season.

The state of Ohio recently published regulations for resuming play on May 26 for low-contact recreational youth sports, including softball and baseball.

Little League International, when it announced the cancelation of its World Series, encouraged member leagues to offer organized play in accord with local and state safety regulations. The organization is expected to release a recommended best practices notice for resuming play.

Officials from District 2 held a virtual meeting on Sunday and in a news release said it anticipates providing play from T-ball (6-years-old) through the Senior Division (up to 16-years-old). The release said the following organizations will offer baseball and softball by mid-June: Austintown Community Baseball, Boardman Community Baseball, Howland Little League, Canfield Community Baseball, Poland Community Baseball and Springfield Township Little League.

Although several other local leagues already have canceled their seasons, Little League International has made it possible for players from those leagues to participate in recreational play this summer. Any of the organizations listed can accept players from other leagues that have canceled their seasons. Such players would return to play in their own league next season. In addition, individuals who are not presently part of a Little League organization may be accepted to participate in an active local league.

Individuals wishing to play this summer should contact one of the listed leagues or Chet Cooper, district administrator for District 2 at chet.d2oh@gmail.com or at 330-518-3977; or league websites: Austintown, www.acbleague.com; Boardman, www.boardmanbaseball.com; Howland, www.howlandac.com/howlandac; Canfield, www.canfieldbaseballclub.com; Poland, www.thepcba.org; Springfield, stba.teampages.com.