Bad news for fans of watching scantily clad woman tackle each other in the First Mariner Arena.  The Lingerie Football League is taking the 2012 season off.

But fear not, LFL commissioner Mitchell S. Mortaza explained on Thursday that the move was made to expand the the league’s reach.  “Despite this success, we feel that our U.S. franchise can reach greater heights with a shift of our regular season schedule from a fall and winter format to spring and summer schedule,” Mitchell said in a statement according to The Sun’s Matt Vensel.

Mitchell explains that moving the season will enable “LFL US teams extra preparation which ultimately will greatly improve the product on the field in 2013.”  Because after all, quality play is of the utmost importance in the Lingerie Football League.

The LFL also plans to expand into Canada this fall and Australia next summer.  “The focus now is to not only be the fastest growing sports league in the US’ but globally.”

Here in Baltimore, the Charm will use the extra team to get ready for 2013.  Tryouts will still be held on April 22 from 3 to 6 PM at the Frederick Indoor Sports Center.  Vensel points out that the Charm’s tryout will feature Angela Rypien, daughter of former Redskins quarterback Mark Rypien.

If that doesn’t get you pumped for some LFL action in 2013, nothing will.