Ryan Lemmon Baseball Showcase canceled and Dugard Softball Classic postponed

The Ryan Lemmon Foundation puts on an annual tournament in Irvine. (File photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)

The Ryan Lemmon Baseball Invitational has been cancelled over concerns about the coronavirus, according to Dick Owens, tournament director.

The tournament had expanded to 32 teams and was scheduled to be played March 28 through April 1. The tournament was scheduled to played at the Orange County Great Park and Ryan Lemmon Stadium.

“We have heard from most teams about their school districts policies” Owens said in a statement. “This includes all the out of town and state teams.

“After going through the information and the extraordinary events taking place with the coronavirus The Foundation, out of concern for the health and safety of the student athletes and the public has made a decision to cancel this year’s tournament We all hope this is a once in life time event.

“In the remote chance things change before the tournament we will try and put on some games.”

Next year’s event will be March 27-31, Owens said.

In addition, Woodbridge Athletic Director Rick Gibson said the Alan Dugard Softball Classic has been postponed. If possible, it will be made up, he said.

The tournament annually attracts some of the top Orange County softball teams and is played at Bill Barber Park.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com