Although Whataburger Field will not host the Corpus Christi Hooks this season, Houston Astro players will begin taxi squad training July 25. No fans will be allowed in the stadium to watch however. Courtesy photo
This year’s Minor League Baseball season has struck out. The Corpus Christi Hooks, along with 261 other farm teams will not take the field as the 2020 season was officially canceled, announced Minor League Baseball officials June 30. Corpus Christi’s Whataburger Field will not stand empty, however. It will be used as the alternate training site for the Houston Astros, announced General Manager James Click. The Astros' regular season taxi squad will begin working out in Corpus Christi on July 25. “Whataburger Field, the home of our Double-A affiliate Corpus Christi Hooks, is a great facility with new player development amenities and within driving distance to Houston,” Click said. “Several of our players are familiar with the city, and we believe it will work well for us.” Major league play — only 60 games this year — is expected to begin July 23 or 24. Schedules are still being determined. Fans will not be permitted to attend the games. Fans also will not be allowed in Whataburger Field to watch Astros’ training sessions, although they can catch some of the action on social media channels. “Being selected to host the Astros’ taxi squad, comprised of top prospects and MLB-ready players, speaks to the prestige of our facilities and this community,” said Hooks General Manager Wes Weigle in a statement. “The players should look forward to being the first to use our newly renovated weight room and enclosed batting cages among other amenities. We’re ready to help the Astros get back to the World Series in any way we can.” This is the first time since World War II that a Minor League Baseball season has been canceled. Games have been played since 1888. “We support Minor League Baseball’s decision to cancel the 2020 season,” Weigle said. “The health and safety of our fans, employees and this community remains our top priority. We look forward to welcoming the community back to our ballpark for non-baseball events and for the game we love as soon as it is safe.” For information on ticket refunds, visit this Hooks webpage.
