East Dubuque Braves suspend season for two weeks: Two Braves players test positive for COVID-19

EAST DUBUQUE–The East Dubuque Braves semi-pro baseball team will be self-quarantining for the next 10-14 days after two of their players tested positive for COVID-19 last week. Other players are awaiting test results.

“We had kids that tested positive,” said manager Brandon Tashner. “These guys hang out together all the time. A couple had very faint symptoms and tested positive. We are getting everyone tested and self-isolated.”

Tashner said he decided to put the team on a 10-14 day shutdown following the test results.

“We have negatives rolling in now. Hopefully it is just a couple guys and we can take a break and come back healthy,” said Tashner.

Reports of the Braves’ positive tests comes the same day as the East Dubuque School District shut down its summer workout program for two weeks.

“(The virus) seems to be creeping through East Dubuque, especially in these guys’ age group,” said Tashner. “I told everyone to isolate and to be smart about it and to not take it lightly.”

Tashner hopes that the three games the team will miss due to the suspension of the season will be rescheduled.

“If we can’t, we can’t,” said Tashner. “There won’t be a penalty for not getting them in, we hope to get them in and finish out the season.”

The Braves season will conclude in mid-August.