FAYETTEVILLE — The baseball game between Arkansas and Oklahoma that was scheduled for Tuesday has been canceled, the Oklahoma City Dodgers announced Friday.
The game was scheduled to be played at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, and would have served as a home game for the Sooners. The game was originally scheduled to be played on the Oklahoma campus in Norman.
It was to be the second meeting this year between the teams. Oklahoma defeated Arkansas 6-3 on Feb. 28 at the Shriners College Classic in Houston.
"This decision was made in close coordination with both institutions and local officials as the health and safety of fans is of the utmost importance," the Dodgers said in a statement.
Fans who purchased tickets to the game are asked to call the Dodgers at 405-218-1000 for information regarding refunds.
The cancellation comes as little surprise as sport organizations worldwide suspend competition in response to covid-19.
The announcement came hours before all of Arkansas' baseball activities - games and practices - were halted through April 15, as part of a mandate from the SEC. A day earlier the SEC had postponed all games through March 30, but extended that suspension Friday and added an instruction for all teams in all sports to cancel organized activities until April 15.
Arkansas' baseball team was scheduled to play 10 conference opponents three times apiece beginning tonight at Mississippi State. Series against Alabama, Florida and Texas A&M at home, at Ole Miss also fall during the SEC's period of suspended play.
Before Friday's announcement, there was some hope the Razorbacks could still play the majority of their regular-season schedule that had been altered because of plans in other leagues. But now at least 23 games will be canceled or postponed, and likely more, if not the entire season.
The NCAA canceled all of its spring sport championships Thursday, including the College World Series that was scheduled to be played June 13-24 in Omaha, Neb. While the NCAA's decision eliminates the possibility of a nationwide postseason, individual conferences can still elect to complete their previously-scheduled regular seasons.