Posted on 04/07/2020 2:18:39 AM PDT by Mozilla
Major League Baseball and its players’ union are reportedly considering a highly complex and unorthodox plan to be able to restart the sport as early as next month — which would involve radical changes to the game and could end up sequestering players and coaches for the entire season if the coronavirus outbreak stretches throughout the summer.
According to ESPN, the league’s unusual proposal for jump-starting the 2020 season next month has gained the blessing of high-ranking public health officials. But to comply with online social distancing guidelines and anticipated lockdowns in many states where teams play, MLB would attempt to centrally locate all the teams in one metropolitan area and emplace numerous new rules to prevent the spread amongst players, coaches, and umpires.
ELECTION 2020 TV POLITICS TRUMP ENTERTAINMENT SPORTS OPINION NEWSLETTER STORE MEDIAITE+
Acting Navy Sec. Apologizes for Comments Blasting Ousted Captain: I Don’t Think He’s ‘Naive and Stupid’
Trump Reportedly Summoned FDA Head to WH Meeting With Ingraham and Her ‘Medical Cabinet’ to Promote Untested Hydroxychloroquine Treatment
NYT: WH Economic Adviser Warned Trump in January That Coronavirus Pandemic Could Threaten Millions of Americans, Cost Trillions of Dollars
Meghan McCain Says Trump Coronavirus Briefings Are Valuable to Expose Administration: They Show ‘How Inept’ Jared Kushner Is
Acting Navy Secretary Rips Fired Captain As ‘Too Naive Or Too Stupid’ in Leaked Speech to Ship’s Crew MLB Reportedly Proposing Bizarre Plan to Restart Season in May: All Games Played in Phoenix; Players, Coaches Sequestered Until Outbreak Ends By Reed RichardsonApr 7th, 2020, 2:05 am 22 comments
submit to reddit MLB_Logo
Major League Baseball and its players’ union are reportedly considering a highly complex and unorthodox plan to be able to restart the sport as early as next month — which would involve radical changes to the game and could end up sequestering players and coaches for the entire season if the coronavirus outbreak stretches throughout the summer.
According to ESPN, the league’s unusual proposal for jump-starting the 2020 season next month has gained the blessing of high-ranking public health officials. But to comply with online social distancing guidelines and anticipated lockdowns in many states where teams play, MLB would attempt to centrally locate all the teams in one metropolitan area and emplace numerous new rules to prevent the spread amongst players, coaches, and umpires.
Per ESPN, the league’s plan “would dictate all 30 teams play games at stadiums with no fans in the greater Phoenix area, including the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Chase Field, 10 spring training facilities and perhaps other nearby fields. Players, coaching staffs and other essential personnel would be sequestered at local hotels, where they would live in relative isolation and travel only to and from the stadium, sources said. Federal officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the National Institute of Health have been supportive of a plan that would adhere to strict isolation, promote social distancing and allow MLB to become the first professional sport to return.”
In addition, the league is proposing other, possible in-game rule changes to comply with public health rules to stop the spread of coronavirus. These could include:
– Players and coaches sitting in the stands, spaced at least six feet apart, rather than in the dugout.
– Using an electronic strike zone to calls balls and strikes, so the home plate umpire could remain separated from the batter and catcher.
– No mound visits from catchers or coaches.
– Implementing seven-inning double-headers, to possibly catch up on missed games and achieve a 162-game regular season.
– Increased use of on-field microphones worn by players for TV broadcasts.
Bump!
Only homeruns are allowed, because otherwise there would be men on base within 6ft of the basemen.
They don’t want TV networks to claim breach of contract.
They would also have to eliminate spitting. Can’t be done.
I am certain,, when all the "lockdowns" are said and done, the only true winners will be the lawyers.
Still, I'm game to watch on mlb.tv if the Boys of Summer are willing to play.
Play ball!
Love it!
LOL!!
They’ll have a huge class action with everyone paying for cable sports packages and streaming services.
There’s surely a clause in that contract mentioning “acts of God” and “acts of Government”.
And the Chinese...
Happening during the reign of the perfect commissioner for it, he is no respecter of anything such as tradition.
That brings an idea. Go to Alaska to play because the sun is up for 20 hours so in the summer.
If they have that quick results test, test everyone before each game and if all clear play as normally as possible.
The NBA and NHL could do something similar in terms of playoffs.
Bump
Fans without jobs won’t care...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.