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[ESPN] MLB suspends spring training, delays Opening Day at least two weeks

Discussion in 'Houston Astros' started by RKREBORN, Mar 12, 2020.

  1. jim1961

    jim1961 Member

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    I think the manner in which a stoppage occurs matters.
     
    The Beard likes this.
  2. Nick

    Nick Contributing Member

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    Initially, sure. After 1-3 years?

    the country is looking at a likely 1-2 year recovery, regardless, as it pertains to the full comeback of all pro sports... with a plethora of other social issues that will take precedence prior.
     
  3. The Beard

    The Beard Contributing Member

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    I agree with this

    I also think with the financial situation the nation faces the next several years all sports leagues are going to struggle anyway, the contracts they have already signed were counting on much different levels of income that what they are likely to receive

    It’s one thing to piss of fans in normal times and watch them come back over a few years, it’s something totally different with 30% of your fan base is unemployed
     
  4. PhiSlammaJamma

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    No spitting. This is not going to end well. This reminds of Slider. Yep. Nobody remembers that dude. The 4th wheel to Maverick, Goose, and Iceman. He could have been named fastball. He could have been named curveball. But no. He goes with Slider. The only top gun guy whose acting career didn't pan out. But he is living in Sweden safe and sound with his two kids and wife.
     
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  5. awc713

    awc713 Member

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    You know...unfortunately, I just don't think a season is feasible at this point. If you have to create a 60-page set of guidelines and additional rules to play the game...it's just not feasible. Who's going to enforce all 60 pages' worth of measures? And that doesn't even start to address the money issue between the owners and players. Really bummed. I don't see it happening. Hopefully it's for the best. As a type 1 diabetic, and with my dad who has cancer...this stuff is really scary. People are (rightfully) sick of it and want to get out, but that doesn't make the virus any less dangerous. I fear that the general public's recent lax attitude is really going to bite us in the ***. Everyone thinks it's fizzling out but all of the stats indicate that it's getting worse, not better.
     
  6. MadMax

    MadMax Contributing Member

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    I'm in agreement entirely. I think, and have thought for a while, it's ridiculous to even talk about. In a sport like baseball, I can't imagine a more worthless title than winning one in a season after 80 something games with no fans in the building and all the other visuals from safeguards that will need to be taken.

    Of course fans will come back. It's a pandemic for God's sake. Baseball will be welcomed and celebrated when it returns. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
     
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  7. msn

    msn Member

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    I see where y'all are coming from, and concerning the title I feel the same way. But, I miss baseball. And, I'm concerned about trading a year of development for a year of atrophy. I wish there could be a bunch of exhibition games, just for those two purposes. I'm one that enjoys ST almost as much as playoff baseball (don't judge).

    Agreed!!
     
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  8. MadMax

    MadMax Contributing Member

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    Yeah, I miss it too. A lot!
     
  9. J.R.

    J.R. Member

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    Sounds pretty shitty...

    https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...b-plan-return-daunting-health-safety-protocol



    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.

    The traditional exchange of lineup cards would be eliminated, along with high-fives, fist bumps, and bat boys and girls, according to a 67-page draft of Major League Baseball’s proposed 2020 Operations Manual. A copy was sent to teams Friday and obtained by The Associated Press. The guidelines, first reported by The Athletic, are subject to negotiation with the players’ association.

    Teams will be allowed to have 50 players each under the plan, with the number active for each game still be negotiated.

    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 disinfected after each use. Players may not touch their face to give signs, and they’re not allowed to lick their fingers. Teams are encouraged to hold meetings outdoors, players spread apart.

    Teams were asked to respond with their suggested input by May 22. The protocols were written by MLB senior vice presidents Patrick Houlihan, Bryan Seeley and Chris Young, and vice president Jon Coyles.

    Protocols include details on testing for team staff, who are divided into three tiers. All others may not enter clubhouses, dugouts and the field.

    Seats in the empty stands near the dugout should be used to maintain distance, according to diagrams in the manual, and the next day’s starting pitcher can’t 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.

    “We emphasize that this is a first draft, and will undergo several rounds of changes as we collect comments and suggestions from the clubs, the players’ association, players, and government officials,” deputy commissioner Dan Halem wrote in an email to owners, team presidents and CEOs, and general managers that accompanied the protocols.

    Scoreboard video is prohibited but music allowed. While there won’t be fans, at least not at the start, it will provide a familiar background audio for the telecasts critical to MLB’s bottom line.

    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,” the manual says.

    Tier 1 people in the plan include players, managers and coaches plus two each from among physicians, athletics trainers and bullpen catchers plus one strength and conditioning coach.

    Tier 2 includes clubhouse staff, additional coaches, medical and training staff, traveling staff, owners, front office, translators, communications staff, video personnel, the head groundskeeper and security plus players’ union and MLB staff along with contractors.

    Tier 3 covers broadcast personnel and other event services.

    Players must wear masks while in restricted areas “except while on the field or engaging in other strenuous activities” and lockers must have at least 6 feet between them. If needed, temporary clubhouse space will be added, preferably outdoors or areas with better ventilation.

    “Showering in club facilities should be discouraged,” the plan says. “To the extent showering occurs, clubs should explore modifications to facilities to allow for physical distancing and hygiene” such as installing partitions and limiting the number of players using the showers at the same time.

    Teams “should consider requiring (on-field staff) to arrive at club facilities dressed for the day’s activities in order to limit time spent in the clubhouse or locker room.”

    Only medical personnel allowed near injured players.

    There will be staggered reporting dates for the resumption of spring training. When pitchers and catchers arrive, only five players may work out at a time. Then come full team workouts, with small groups encouraged but not required, followed by exhibition games. There will be intake screening upon arrival followed a self-quarantine for 24-48 hours until results are available. Players not assigned to big league team when the season starts will remain at spring training or another separate facility.

    All games at spring training facilities in Florida and Arizona, whether exhibition or regular season, must be scheduled for 7-9 p.m. local time unless MLB gives specific consent.

    A fifth umpire would be allowed when the temperature reaches a certain level, allowing for rotation, including sharing of plate umpire duties, Teams should take batting practice on back fields.

    Among the 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.

    Team staff, including players, will be given thermometers for self screening and are to take two tests in quick succession each morning.

    At the ballpark, people will be given temperature checks twice a day and multiple fluid swabs each week. Comprehensive Drug Testing will collect samples and Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory in Salt Lake City is to provide results within 24 hours.

    Family members of players, umpires and the households of anyone covered under the plan will be offered access to testing and PPE. The individuals are encouraged to avoid crowd when away from ballpark.

    Anyone with a temperature of 100 or higher or who exhibits COVID-19 symptoms or has come in contact with someone confirmed to be infected will be subject to rapid testing at a nearby site. A person cannot rejoin the team until testing negative twice in tests taken at least 24 hours apart. The person also must not exhibit symptoms or COVID-19, and the team physician and MLB medical staff must determine the person not at risk.

    If an individual is exposed to a person with an infection, that person must show no signs of disease, be tested daily for at least seven consecutive days and undergo more frequent temperature checks. The person also must wear a mask at all times except while on the field.

    Each spring training and regular season ballpark must have dedicated testing and isolation areas. MLB also will offer testing of people who live in same household as covered individuals and to health care workers/first responders in big league cities.

    Most tests will take saliva but there may be oral or nasal swabs. Blood samples will be collected less frequently for serology testing used to detect antibodies.
     
    #329 J.R., May 17, 2020
    Last edited: May 17, 2020
  10. Nook

    Nook Member

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    Players are going to really not going to be happy. Screwing women on the road and porking mistresses will be almost non existent. Players getting hammered at restaurants and bars on the road will be gone.

    Some of the veterans around the league will go into deep depressions. I cannot imagine how Baggy or Alou would survive under these rules. One of them would have ended up ending it all taking a header from the upper deck.
     
  11. punkoholic

    punkoholic Member

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    People will do some of those stuff by habit imo. What happens if someone spits by accident or gives a high five after a homerun? Do they get fined, suspended, or banned for the season?
     
  12. PhiSlammaJamma

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    The MLB app, which is otherwise useless, will catch them. It has been adapted to assure covid safety. You must use the app before you bat, on your way to first after you put the ball in play with your stick, and before you round home. This applies directly to sleeping with the groupies too. So yep, there's an app for every at bat.
     
  13. The Beard

    The Beard Contributing Member

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    Yea I miss it a lot also. Also from a Astros specific standpoint, this year is another great chance to as good as any team in baseball. I think we have a great chance to sign Springer long term, and we have some upside arms...but reality is that a LOT of questions regarding Mlb talent start hitting us this offseason.

    The fact that the infection rate is dropping significantly is a great sign also in my opinion, if they can agree to finances (50/50 chance?) I think the season gets going and we see limited fans allowed in at some point. As long as they finish the playoffs by beginning of November chances are great of not having major issues. The NFL will be the more difficult case, as they move into their playoffs it will be when flu season hits, and most doctors agree this will likely be seasonal and will come back at that time also.
     
  14. The Beard

    The Beard Contributing Member

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    I get what you are saying, but I would guess most documents regarding these type of things would be large. It’s likely not 60 pages of different rules and policies, a lot of it is likely legal jargon that has to be added in

    I really thought it would come down to testing ability as to whether or not we had a season. Availability of tests doesn’t look to be a problem, but I have dwindling faith the owners and players will be able to agree on finances
     
  15. rpr52121

    rpr52121 Sober Fan
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    Given the issue the German soccer league has already had with compliance with similar restrictions in just the past few weeks, the MLB may need to indicate how these rules will be enforced and what happens if a player, coach, or team breaks them.

    That could be an issue given how poor their handing of sign stealing issues throughout baseball over the past few years.
     
    #335 rpr52121, May 18, 2020
    Last edited: May 18, 2020
  16. sealclubber1016

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    Having no fans is absolutely necessary of course.

    Trying to limit players exposure away from the game makes sense, albeit impractical.

    All of the nonsense on the field is completely ridiculous and a waste of time. You can't play a sport with everybody in a safe space bubble.
     
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  17. rpr52121

    rpr52121 Sober Fan
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    I feel a lot of it is messaging and "brand awareness". The MLB has to respect that its fans have to deal social distancing and fear of COVID as part of daily ritual now. If you don't put these statements in the plan, the league opens itself up to lots of criticism, especially since European soccer and Asian baseball put similar language in their reopening plans.

    They can always walk it back if the players complain and say we understand the risk, but its part of the game, etc. It is a first draft, and things could easily changes as a season progresses.
     
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  18. Major

    Major Member

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    It's likely to be like social distancing for the rest of everyone. We have guidelines at workplaces, restaurants, etc. The goal is to do as well as we can, but if you get within 5 ft of someone instead of 6, nothing happens to you. It'll be the same with sports. Put in a bunch of regulations and monitor it. If it's a problem, yell at everyone. No one is trying to punish anyone here.
     
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  19. The Beard

    The Beard Contributing Member

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    I know in the KBO they aren’t punishing them for spitting and so forth, just reminders when they do it. Preston Tucker was talking about how impossible it is, said he never realized how much he spit till now
     
  20. The Beard

    The Beard Contributing Member

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    yep, KBO elbow bumps and taps guys on helmet when they come back in dugout after a HR. I would expect similar when games begin
     

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