Little Leaguers across Long Island were hit with a curveball when they learned that one of the facilities in Cooperstown that hosts tournaments is now requiring everyone to be vaccinated.

The Plainview Baseball Association's 12-year-old travel baseball team spent years practicing to prepare for their dream of going to Cooperstown. The Dreams Park is requiring everyone ages 12 and up to get vaccinated.

The mandate was handed down even though vaccines for 12-year-olds have not been approved.

"It's a real kind of punch to the gut," says John Farrell, the Plainview Baseball Association Cooperstown Liaison. "An unexpected turn, and really putting that in front of you right now to make that decision forces an outcome that nobody really wants."

Preparation for Cooperstown starts a year in advance. It's also costly with a price tag of about 20,000 for a team.

"We were definitely hoping to play a lot more baseball and get the full experience," says Cole Zuckerman, who plays for the Plainview Hawks.

Zuckerman, a seventh grader, was supposed to play in Cooperstown in August.

Ira Zuckerman, of Plainview, can't understand how a judgment call like that could be made for the kids when it's not approved by the government.

The Plainview organization is now looking into other options.

Cooperstown Dreams Park posted that mandating the COVID-19 vaccine as part of its reopening plan was "the only responsible course of action at this time to prevent the possibility of a camp shutdown and displacement of families due to COVID-19."

Ira Zuckerman, of Plainview, can't understand how a judgment call like that could be made for the kids when it's not approved by the government.

The Plainview organization is now looking into other options.