Bend Elks are hoping their season is still a go

As of now, the team's season is set to begin June 4

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- COVID-19 may have canceled most of the major sports leagues across the country, but the Bend Elks baseball club still hopes their season is a go.

The Elks' first game of the season is scheduled for June 4. As of right now, the team plans to play all of its games, though limiting the number of fans in attendance to about 1,000, which is only about a third of the Vince Genna Stadium's capacity.

Kelsie Hirko of the Bend Elks said Thursday that some restrictions will have to be lifted before that happens.

“We do think we would have to have some restrictions lifted in order to be able to play, mainly because you can’t come to a ball game while staying at home,” Hirko said.

The Elks' current roster sits around 55 players. That's about 15 more than the team usually has.

Hirko said every player is willing and ready to play.

According to Hirko, one team, the Bellingham Bells, has had to withdraw from the West Coast League because their city has shut down all events on city property until August. The Bells' Joe Martin Stadium is on city property. All other teams are still planning on playing in the upcoming season.

The Elks also are still planning on hosting the 'Bend Bucks' summer camp that also starts in June. 

Hirko said if certain restrictions are still in place by June, the league is looking at every option that still would allow teams to play -- even one that would bring all the teams from the West Coast League to play at one neutral stadium.