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AP sources: MLB, union discuss playing all games in Arizona

Y2kTheNewOldies

Y2kTheNewOldies

https://apnews.com/43ddd669b1caabd5ebdef2481d85e17f?


NEW YORK (AP) — Putting all 30 teams in the Phoenix area this season and playing in empty ballparks was among the ideas discussed Monday by Major League Baseball and the players’ association.

The sides held a telephone call to talk about paths forward for a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, people familiar with the discussion told The Associated Press. They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because no details were announced.

Ideas are still in the early stage, and the Arizona option would have many obstacles to overcome, the people said.

“MLB has been actively considering numerous contingency plans that would allow play to commence once the public health situation has improved to the point that it is safe to do so,” the commissioner’s office said in a statement Tuesday. “While we have discussed the idea of staging games at one location as one potential option, we have not settled on that option or developed a detailed plan.”

Baseball officials intend to study which options may be viable.

“While we continue to interact regularly with governmental and public health officials, we have not sought or received approval of any plan from federal, state and local officials, or the players’ association,” MLB said. “We are not ready at this time to endorse any particular format for staging games in light of the rapidly changing public health situation caused by the coronavirus.”
Arizona’s advantage is 10 spring training ballparks plus the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Chase Field all within about 50 miles. Florida’s spring training ballparks are spread out by as much as 220 miles.
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Note this is still in talks as of this posting.
 
TheBigA said:
Playing in empty ballparks would keep the fans safe, but what about the players, coaches, umpires, and staff?
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I doubt this is even going to be passed given that multiple states are still dealing with reaching the peak for COVID-19. I say the MLB might be forced to do the ESports edition of Baseball for now. Its just like the NBA, Indycar and Nascar has done recently once their seasons have shutdown.
 
RadioPatrol said:
I doubt this is even going to be passed given that multiple states are still dealing with reaching the peak for COVID-19. I say the MLB might be forced to do the ESports edition of Baseball for now. Its just like the NBA, Indycar and Nascar has done recently once their seasons have shutdown.
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I don't think anyone's talking about a start this month or next. Maybe an abbreviated season of studio baseball in Arizona starting in mid-June or July seems more realistic. I doubt e-baseball would be a popular replacement, given that baseball fans are generally on the older side. I've been following an MLB The Show20 simulation of the current season on YouTube and the action is nothing like real, live baseball. Maybe the gaming generation will find virtual games entertaining, but not the 50+ crowd that is most interested in baseball.
 
I think resumption of baseball, wherever and whenever, in private or in public, would be a significant morale booster at the very least. Baseball kept going during World War II, although there was no imminent threat to American lives being posed them as one is now -- the Luftwaffe wasn't capable of launching bombing runs on Ebbets Field or Shibe Park in 1944, while one coughing spell in a crowded Citi Field or Citizens Bank Park in 2020 could easily get someone ill and possibly dead. The thing is, if somehow a ballpark were attacked during the war, I have a feeling that the nation would be behind continuing the games to show the Germans our resolve. Not saying that would be a wise philosophy, but you certainly wouldn't have that happening today with every one avoidable fatality is considered one too many.
 
They want to start in May. Not a snowball's chance in he-l-l. Many states will be hitting the peak or just after the peak of cases (I'm talking to you, Florida and other states that fiddle-farted around re stay at home orders!)
Start after the 4th of July. And if the season has to be 81 games instead of 162, so be it. Or if the World Series has to be extended to Christmas time, so be it too.
 
crainbebo said:
They want to start in May. Not a snowball's chance in he-l-l. Many states will be hitting the peak or just after the peak of cases (I'm talking to you, Florida and other states that fiddle-farted around re stay at home orders!)
Start after the 4th of July. And if the season has to be 81 games instead of 162, so be it. Or if the World Series has to be extended to Christmas time, so be it too.
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What could be better symbolically than baseball returning on July 4?

But again, we are dealing with a disease scientists are still trying to fully understand as they begin the search for a cure and a vaccine. There will be a risk to be taken in ANY type of group activity until this pandemic is completely under control. The question is how much risk is acceptable? Mind you, everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 after being on the field or just in the ballpark during a game will be suing for huge amounts of money after recovery, even if their cases turn out mild or even asymptomatic. And lawsuits by families of any deceased will likely destroy the financial underpinnings of MLB. Imagine if an umpire or a TV camera operator were to die. MLB would be penniless after jury verdicts come down.
 
TheBigA said:
Playing in empty ballparks would keep the fans safe, but what about the players, coaches, umpires, and staff?
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Also what if the CDC, states or cities have to take over stadiums because they have to setup temporary hospitals to deal with peak cases of COVID-19. Note here is a sample of some of the convention centers and stadiums that are underway or in talks for that venue to be converted into a temporary hospital.

https://www.cleveland.com/open/2020...mporary-hospital-in-coronavirus-response.html


https://kutv.com/news/local/state-h...re-temporary-hospital-they-hopes-to-never-use


https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/04...clara-convention-center-takes-first-patients/

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/at...coronavirus-surge/Q62ORPECVZEYRNCI5GJPM33FT4/

https://www.baltimoresun.com/corona...0200404-cbvlqi3nljfnllmw3wcht4upuq-story.html


https://www.nba.com/kings/news/sacr...rge-hospital-and-250000-donation-support-area
 
seatownmedia said:
Huh? Baseball in 110 degree heat?
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Tucson had a minor league franchise for decades. So did Phoenix until the D'backs came to town. They played their games at night in outdoor ballparks, with temps in the mid-80s to low 90s. The heat is bearable for players, umpires and fans after the sun goes down.
 
As a baseball fan for the last 40 years I just can't see myself getting into this kind of setup. Abbreviated season, alternate ballparks, no fans...everything is so unnatural. They should just cancel the season and start off fresh next year.
 
ansky212 said:
As a baseball fan for the last 40 years I just can't see myself getting into this kind of setup. Abbreviated season, alternate ballparks, no fans...everything is so unnatural. They should just cancel the season and start off fresh next year.
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https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronav...porary-hospital-at-convention-center/2346481/

https://92moose.fm/maines-cross-insurace-arenacenter-to-become-temporary-hospitals/

https://nypost.com/2020/04/02/javits-center-temporary-hospital-to-take-on-coronavirus-patients/


https://patch.com/virginia/across-va/army-corps-open-temporary-hospitals


https://www.cpr.org/2020/04/02/colorado-plans-12000-temporary-beds-for-coronavirus-surge/


I say the MLB must move their season to E Sports because the problem here is that Governors, Mayors and County executives in the next 2-3 week are going to have to take over stadiums and convention centers to form temp hospitals in response to deal with the peak/surge/spike in COVID-19 cases.
 
ansky212 said:
As a baseball fan for the last 40 years I just can't see myself getting into this kind of setup. Abbreviated season, alternate ballparks, no fans...everything is so unnatural. They should just cancel the season and start off fresh next year.
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I agree. A few years ago after the riots in Baltimore the Orioles played one game without any fans in Camden Yards. When I heard about it I thought it was strange idea.
 
Florida has 3 NFL Stadiums where Jags,Dolphins,Bucs play,Cracker Jack Stadium in Orlando,The Trop,where Marlins play,College Baseball Stadiums and so on.
 
CTListener said:
Tucson had a minor league franchise for decades. So did Phoenix until the D'backs came to town. They played their games at night in outdoor ballparks, with temps in the mid-80s to low 90s. The heat is bearable for players, umpires and fans after the sun goes down.
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Yes, and the "experience" of going to Firebirds games in the summer was brutal. Even at night, the temperature can stay over 100, especially during monsoon season when the dew points can rise above 70, even when it doesn't rain (last year was the worst humidity in my 26 years here). That's muggy, folks, and the reason why Chase Field and State Farm Stadium have roofs. The misters don't work when it's that muggy. Things would be fine now, and through the end of June at night, but fuggedaboudit from July 1st thru mid-September.

This has to be the dumbest idea I have ever heard coming from the honchos at MLB. I mean, this is Bud Selig-level stupid.
 
umfan said:
I'm not so sure. They may be receptive to the players actually getting to play. The MLBPA has been part of the discussions which also involve the CDC.
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I've been thinking the same thing. The players are being credited with service time and are getting paid, but for most of them -- especially the ones in or approaching their career primes -- an entire lost year is the last thing they want. When the NHL canceled its 2004-05 season, many players found foreign leagues to play in. MLB's players have no such opportunity in 2020. All baseball but Taiwan and Nicaragua's second-tier league is shut down, and there's no money (or roster spots) in either of them.
 
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