With COVID-19 restrictions slowly being lifted, the North Platte FNBO Nationals are looking at a mid-June start to their season, albeit with many restrictions still in place. With the initial Directed Health Measure from Governor Pete Ricketts, the season was in doubt and with the American Legion’s National Organization announcement that they will not sponsor a season, it was unsure if locally play would resume.
However North Platte Legion Board President Bob Lindemeier says with the governor’s announcement on Monday allowing youth sports to resume in June, the season will be a go. It will, however, look very different from last year. Practices for the team can begin on June 1st and the first competition can be held on June 18th. That allows essentially close to a month and a half before fall sport practices begin at the high school level to get games scheduled.
It should be noted that the Nebraska Athletic Committee will meet this Friday, May 15th to discuss options and how the Nebraska season will proceed. Information from that meeting will be posted on this website the following week. The North Platte Legion Board is planning a meeting for this Wednesday, May 13th as well.
Postseason play has been cancelled, so just regular season games will be played. Also, restrictions on fans will be in place with only immediate members allowed to attend and they must bring their own chairs as bleachers will not be allowed for seating. There will also be no concessions at games.
Brian Butterfield schedules the games for North Platte and he said they are in the process now of trying to determine opponents and games that can be played.
Sign ups to play with the teams is still on-going and you can do so here.
Also, donations are being accepted to help support the team as a bulk of their funds raised come via concessions, along with ticket sales each player conducts. You can contact any board member or drop a donation in the lock box at Lindemeier Law Office at 1020 South Dewey Street in North Platte.
