Local sports organizations eye a summer comeback

The Medford Mustangs are hopeful that there's still a summer season to come.

Grants Pass Downs will have races in June and July, but they will be without fans.

Josh key) here at u-s cellular, we should have started to hear the sounds of a ball into a mit and the cheer of the crowd.

The coronavirus had other plans; shutting down the american legion season.

But soon, the medford mustangs, grants pass nuggets and klamath falls falcons could finally hear a long awaited: play ball.

(topic key) it hasn't been a quick or easy process but the regions four american legion teams could be back out on the field as early as june.

(take nate key) nate mayben says, "our hope would be that, um, as soon as us cellular opens up, we start working out.

Work out four or five, six days a week, whatever we can get from the city."

(topic key) the american legion will not be sponsoring this season, but that actually makes things easier for the mustangs.

Teams are not limited to the legion rules, so they can have expanded rosters which gives teams more flexibility.

And, players will mostly be high school seniors whose senior season was picked off at first and college freshman who, for the most part, never got playing time this spring.

Nate mayben says, "so these kids that we're trying to serve, um, to kind of have nowhere to go and we're hoping to be able to provide them something to do, some reps to get and, uh, some, hopefully some games."

(drop key) and while the hope for the mustangs is playing games, one southern oregon sporting event has already set dates for competitions.

(topic key) grants pass downs began hosting training days yesterday and has nine race days stretched out over the next two months.

Since the last season, there have been plenty of improvements to track for a better overall viewing experience.

(drop key) randy evers says, "the track itself is magnificent.

It is an unbelievable shape, right now.

The soccer fields are almost completed.

The tote board, as you know, was there last year.

So even when we're on tv, we're going to have this visual presentation that's just awesome."

(take josh key) as of right now, both the grants pass downs races and medford mustangs games will be done without fans in the stands.

Reporting in medford, josh shelton,