MADISON- “At this moment, our April 15 date is still good, but that could change,” said Ralph Nelson, Managing Partner and CEO of the Rocket City Trash Pandas.

Nelson’s comment came after Major League Baseball suspended its spring training and delayed the start of the 2020 season at least two weeks setting an April 9 date for opening day and Minor League Baseball concurred with similar guidelines. The announcements came on the heels of the recent and ongoing spread of the coronavirus and other sporting events being cancelled.

The Trash Pandas were scheduled to kick off its inaugural season on the road April 9. The team sent out a prepared statement, which read, “As of now, we are continuing our timeline and preparations for an April 15th Opening Night as planned. We understand that the dedicated fans of North Alabama and around the country have waited a long time for our inaugural season to begin and we will do our best to ensure the safest possible solution to this situation.”

Minor League Baseball issued its statement on the situation and it partly read, “We will work with Major League Baseball and our community partners to resume play as soon as it is safe to do so. The health and safety of Minor League Baseball fans, players and executives is our top priority and our thoughts are with those around the world who have been affected by this outbreak.”

Trash Pandas officials have stated the scheduled individual game ticket sales event this Saturday beginning at 9:00 a.m. is still being held. The tickets go on sale to the general public for the first time at the Toyota Field box office on Saturday and also on Sunday at noon. Both the box office and the Junkyard Team Store will be open.

The Madison Record will continue to update the news from the Rocket City Trash Pandas.