ValleyCats planning in case they can’t open season in Canada

The Tri-City ValleyCats and the Frontier League are planning for contingencies in case the ValleyCats can’t open the season in Canada due to COVID-19 border restrictions, general manager Matt Callahan said Wednesday.

The ValleyCats are scheduled to start their first independent-league season with an eight-game trip north of the border, beginning in Ottawa on May 27 and 28, continuing with a three-game series at Quebec City May 29 to 31 and ending with three games at Trois Rivieres June 1 to 3.

“We’re confident there will be a plan in place and should have an update within the next couple of weeks to share with our fans,” Callahan said. “I know our team is excited to make the road trip and visit the Canadian cities in the Frontier League whenever we are able to do so.”

Callahan stressed the ValleyCats expect to play a full 96-game schedule and that their existing home dates shouldn’t be impacted by any potential changes. Tri-City is scheduled to make its Joseph L. Bruno Stadium debut against Quebec City on June 4.

Callahan said one contingency could be the ValleyCats getting additional home dates beyond their 48 scheduled home games – if they’re unable to play in Canada because of the restrictions.

The Tri-City ValleyCats are coming up with a contingency plan in case they can’t open their Frontier League in Canada as scheduled. (Jim Franco/Special to the Times Union)

James Franco

There are 16 teams in the Frontier League — 13 in the United States and three in Canada. The closest franchise to the ValleyCats is the New York Boulders, located in Pomona.

Under current New York state guidelines, the ValleyCats are allowed to have 20 percent capacity at home, which would be 1,200 at Bruno Stadium, which normally seats 6,000, including fixed seats, picnic areas and limited berm space.