Sports
Related: About this forumNew MLB pandemic rules (they're hilariously unrealistic)
NEW YORK (AP) Major League Baseball will look somewhat like high school ball this year under protocols to deal with the new coronavirus, with showers at ballparks discouraged and players possibly arriving in uniform, like they did when they were teenagers.
Team personnel will be banned from eating at restaurants on road trips.
Even the Phillie Phantic and Mr. Met will be missing, banned from the field along with all other team mascots.
https://apnews.com/fa448199aebdc7993e0d742f4dc13a88
Highlights:
Spitting is prohibited along with water jugs and the use of saunas, steam rooms, pools and cryotherapy chambers.
Hitting in indoor cages is discouraged, batting gloves encouraged.
Batting practice pitchers are to wear masks.
Dugout telephones are to be disinfected after each use.
Players may not touch their face to give signs, and theyre not allowed to lick their fingers.
Teams are encouraged to hold meetings outdoors, players spread apart.
Seats in the empty stands near the dugout should be used to maintain distance
Next days starting pitcher cant sit in the dugout.
Everyone must keep their distance during The Star-Spangled Banner and God Bless America.
Fielders are encouraged to retreat several steps away from the baserunner between pitches.
First and third base coaches are not to approach baserunners or umpires, and players should not socialize with opponents.
Managers and coaches must wear masks while in the dugouts.
The entire traveling party -- including players -- must wear personal protective equipment while on buses and flights.
Restaurants are off limits on the road, including the ones in hotels, as are hotel fitness centers
A ball will be thrown away after it is touched by multiple players, and throwing the ball around the infield will be discouraged.
Personnel who rub baseballs with mud for the umpires must use gloves.
Individuals must avoid any physical interactions (such as high-fives, fist bumps, or hugs) while at club facilities.
Road trip changes:
Use of Uber, subways and public buses is banned.
Private airports encouraged and if not available, teams are to use private aviation facilities to board and exit.
Transportation Security Administration screen should take place at ballparks if it can be arranged.
In-flight catering is limited.
Lower floors are to be used if possible at hotels, so stairs can be used instead of elevators, and private areas arranged for entrances, exits and check-in.
Six staggered bus trips will be scheduled to and from the ballpark.
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More at the link.
Good grief, the season is dead. Give it up already.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)There goes baseball!
These rules are ridiculous on their face. Seriously, this cant be real.
-Laelth
El Supremo
(20,365 posts)That and half the salary means no season this year.
Auggie
(31,169 posts)90°f day with 90% humidity. It's nuts.
luvs2sing
(2,220 posts)Ferrets are Cool
(21,106 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,691 posts)Auggie
(31,169 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,691 posts)If bands like the Rolling Stones can cancel their tours, why can't a bunch of overpaid athletes sit out a season? They certainly won't starve if that happens.
JonLP24
(29,322 posts)If owners can rake in millions & billions the least they can do is fairly pay their labor unlike the NCAA. You can't have baseball games without baseball players. The only overpaid aspect comes to endorsements yet the companies think having an athlete endorsement increases the value of their company so I don't think they are overpaid on that aspect. It is similar to why A list actors have high salaries.
I do wonder what college football will be like. I have season tickets to see Arizona State. They have a really great Sophomore quarterback who is easily on track to make the pros I wonder how a suspension will affect his development. Arizona State is also doing really great in recruiting. I'm going to wait and see what happens.
hangaleft
(649 posts)I subscribed to DirecTV for two reasons CNN and MLB.
CNN was (is?) wall to wall Coronavirus and I couldnt see how theyre gonna play baseball. Its unrealistic to think they can. Even if they try, I see the season ending within a few weeks following its start.
In short, there was no longer any reason to continue subscribing to DirecTV, so I canceled my sub.
I hate to break it to baseball fans (or owners) or fans of any sport. Or restaurant owners or goers. Or concert goers. Or performers. We arent going to return to normal unless an effective immunizing vaccine is developed. Thats the long and short of it.
Alacritous Crier
(3,816 posts)That's not baseball! I agree, just cancel the season for crying out loud.
RainCaster
(10,874 posts)How do they eat?
LastDemocratInSC
(3,647 posts)"There's no crying in baseball."
central scrutinizer
(11,648 posts)Linemen must be separated horizontally by six feet
Offensive and defensive linemen each must be three feet back from the line of scrimmage, except for the center who must be gloved and masked.
A newly sanitized ball must be used on every down
No blocking
No tackling
Auggie
(31,169 posts)CaptYossarian
(6,448 posts)I didn't see it mentioned.
Auggie
(31,169 posts)CaptYossarian
(6,448 posts)Auggie
(31,169 posts)Was the tag within 72 inches or not?
Journeyman
(15,031 posts)Brother Buzz
(36,428 posts)Auggie
(31,169 posts)LisaM
(27,811 posts)Can't they just put them in some sealed container for a few days? The virus won't live longer than that.
I also see no reason to sing "God Bless America". This would be a perfect time to phase it out for good.