11:10am: Teams throughout the league have been sending scouts home this morning, and Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets that “just about every team, if not every team” has taken this step. Meanwhile, in an unlocked article that is not behind the web site’s paywall, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal runs through several potential pandemic-related issues and courses of action for the league.
As for any actual action from the league, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets that the league is likely to provide some clarity today. At this point, it feels inevitable that the league will make a statement on the status of Spring Training games and the regular season in the very near future.
1:55am: The coronavirus outbreak led the National Basketball Association to suspend its season on Wednesday. It’s unclear how Major League Baseball will react before its regular season is scheduled to begin March 26, but it’s becoming increasingly likely that the pandemic will have a sizable effect on its plans.
It’s possible, for instance, that some of the league’s teams will start 2020 by playing regular-season games outside of their normal home venues. That already seems to be the case for the Mariners, who are “likely” to host their season-opening series in the Phoenix area instead of in Seattle, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. But they may not be the only club in that situation. The state of California has recommended limiting public gatherings to 250 people for the rest of March, which means the Dodgers, Padres and Athletics could either play their initial series elsewhere or have those sets postponed, Passan tweets. All three of those teams are scheduled to play at home until early April.
For now, MLB executives aren’t slated to discuss how they’ll proceed until a Friday conference call, per Passan. However, with the NBA shutting itself down and the National Hockey League possibly poised to make a similar announcement on Thursday, perhaps MLB will reach a decision on how it will move forward sooner than expected. The hope is that the league will come up with a plan “within days,” three high-level team officials told Passan.
I’ll be surprised if the season starts on time at this point. I don’t know if that will be the right call or not, but it just looks like that’s where everything is going.
Yeah I dunno. They could play rest of spring training with no fans and in next 2 weeks will have more information available to make a decision on regular season. If they did go against trend they would be the only game in town and have huge tv ratings, long as it isn’t at the risk of public safety. If they have to shut down for 2 or 3 months does that mean no season? Would they have another spring training to get baseball ready?
Agree with the first part of your post. It simply makes sense for teams to try to get ready and limit exposure to themselves and others while this continues to develop. Most likely it gets worse but waiting while making contingent plans seems a better plan. Perhaps that would be to start the season May 1st and shorten it. Make a new schedule and eliminate inter league games for this year. Depending on how many games get lost, also consider a regional schedule and if necessary for 2020 only change the divisions back to simply two in each league. Fans might even like it even if two teams have to be off each day. Again just for this year if changes have to be made.
Has been a strike season where part of a season was never played, nor made up and another where season was split into 2 halves.
Think a delay will just mean fewer games for a regular season, especially with so many PO teams in today’s games making the season so long for teams in cold weather climates, which couldn’t have games extending into.. Say November outside and there are a number of them with no domes.
Test
Why is this board open still for comments whereas the newer one is closed?
In basketball, one player tested positive, but 5 teams that have been in recent contact have been asked to self isolate. That was it until further notice. The same thing is going to happen in baseball. Take 2 or 3 teams out of the schedule and it becomes impossible to play.
Baseball teams have twice the number of players roundball teams have, and a lot more communication with the minor leagues, so it’s only a matter of time before someone tests positive.
Not just one player. Two others have tested positive. They think it started there with Mike Conley, now Donovan Mitchell has it too.
If crowds of 250 people and more are outlawed for now, do the Tampa Bay Rays and the Miami Marlins still get to play?
Hahaha… good one
angels usually play in california, too!
My thoughts about the giants also, they play battle of the bay pre season games which are a big deal around the Bay Area. They were already cancelled and I think the exhibition game they play in Sacramento was also cancelled. It seems like unless FL,AZ do not follow suit like California banning grouping over 250 them mlb will have no choice with so many markets closed. Seems to be a matter of time honestly.
California has not banned anything. They only made a recommendation.
Well I live near the state capital “middling in size comparative to the larger California cities” and all children and adult grouping of any type of note in all our surrounding areas have been cancelled. So how it may not be enforced heavily no sponsored event is taking place due to concern. I would expect if they take these precautions in smaller cities and from what we have seen in the bay I doubt any events are actually being held other than maybe a cattle auction.
But they don’t play at home in March
Only listed California teams that would start the season off in California. Angels start the season on the road out of state.
yea but they start their season in Texas not at their home stadium
California’s recommended limits are through the end of March, so we don’t know yet what impact this will have in April.
The Angels and Dodgers usually alternate, as do the Giants and A’s. One team is at home, the other is on the road. Once in a great while both teams are at home at the same time, but not very often.
Angels are in the state of Los Angeles.
hopefully they will start the season, maybe a bit late, and everything will go well.
Mick good to see you are still alive and well.
Every now and then I know it’s kinda hard to tell but he’s still alive and well.
“It’s pandemic night at the ballpark. All tickets 5% off!” I think the owners will balk at postponing the season and wait as long as possible. NFL owners will be worse.
I dunno I thought all owners were greedy bastards and NBA cancelled.
Even businessmen have to look long term.
most NBA fans live in China
Not after that debacle earlier this year. They aren’t showing very many games any more on the state sponsored TV.
LeBron was the one that made the call.
The NFL season doesn’t start until August, hopefully the worst of this will be over by then. OTAs and optional workouts, training camp, etc, will be limited access with no fans or media permitted, most likely.
I doubt it affects the actual start of football season, but who knows?
Could do something with the draft though.
Playing in front of fans would be irresponsible beyond belief. There’s enough risk with 26 players plus coaches, trainers, clubhouse staff, etc in the locker rooms.
Why irresponsible? It’s up to the adult whether he goes to the game, right? So let them play and send the message by not attending.
Clearly you don’t know how stupid the common American is.
That person is putting every single person they encounter at risk.
The problem is, those “adults” who go to the.game interact with other adults who don’t go. That’s how pandemics spread.
Exactly. You are taking the risk not just for yourself but also for people who chose not to take the risk. This situation is challenging people to think beyond themselves and in the slightly abstract way required to understand our actions can have an affect on others, and this matters even if they are total strangers. This seems to be a very difficult place for many people to go.
Amen. Thank you.
Blue, although I agree with your point, it’s more dangerous to let your family to get behind the wheel of a car because of other people. It’s the nature of life.
Not to mention the staff that would have to maintain the facilities, concessions, doors…
Yeah I was thinking they made us watch games through nets for “our safety” so how are they going to lets us gather in tight masses during a pandemic?
And pandemic is really scary word.
More people died from the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 than died in World War I, which was going on at the same time.
This should be interesting, see if money means more than possible deaths. I’m betting season is delayed and season is shortened
Obese people are corona high risk. 40% of the US is obese. This stuff is only going to get worse unless the whole country gets in a Delorean and goes back in time to convince their past self to put down the Pepsi and Doritos.
You mean Pepsi Free right?
Problem is, those DeLorean time machines are too snug for the average 2020’s person
Maybe play the first part of the season at their spring training locations? Restrict access as much as possible and follow what scientists say is the proper protocol for the situation? They will lose stadium revenue, but it will give the country something to focus on other than the pandemic. Televise all games.
Interesting take. There’s something there!
I think Jon’s take makes the most sense. The games are still played and we can watch on tv.
Maybe the only silver lining I can think of that stands out: a reason for these pro sports leagues and unions to work together and realize they have to get along to go along. Sounds like the NBA was the 1st to agree on this decision…for whatever reasons we find out about as things move ahead.
Or, there’s the other potential side of this that makes these relationships even worse.
Stay tuned sports fans!
Very good points.
Does Chris Sales ADP move up with a possible delay to the season? While I’m at it, do you suppose all $ fantasy baseball gets refunded should league be shortened? Yeah I know, shallow, of course I want MLB to do the right thing.
1st world problem
Exactly. Think about what is or could happen in poorer countries. Until a vaccination is developed, best to take precautions. This is a worse developing world problem.
They have to do what is best for the fans and players.
A lot of idiots are saying “It’s my body I’ll do what I want.” That doesn’t stop you getting it and then passing it to someone else. So by you gathering is now putting other lives in danger.
Just two days ago I was on board with this is overblown. Now I’m starting to think we are under prepared. It’ll just get worse with people thinking they are bigger than nature.
I believe MLB will shorten the season and start everything up in May.
Let the teams play in their spring training facilities with no fans, and stop the MLB tv blackouts for the time being, until all of this gets settled. For the players it should be wake up, get on the bus, go to the facility, play, and then get back to wherever they are staying and don’t come in contact with anyone except the other players, coaches, cooks, trainers ect. Just have a set crew, that you know is safe (that includes announcers, field workers, ect.) and stay around those people.
BTW: I think MLB should cancel the rest of spring training, and get every spring facility clean and workable before the start of the season. Let all of the players get ready for the season at their homes. And hopefully in two weeks it won’t be as bad.
It will be worse in two weeks than it is now. That is just the nature of these things.
There have been a relatively low number, nine, of preemptive positive cases in AZ. With 2 of those cases already having been cleared & released back into the general population. Spring training has been in full effect for a few weeks now with until this week, 80 degree plus temps. The temps will ramp up to near 90 degrees in April. I doubt AZ will have a major outbreak even with all the games & visitors in the state due to the warmer weather.
The warmer weather killing the virus off might be a myth. With similar virus’ like SARS1 and MERS, the virus only coincidentally died off in the summer but not because it was summer.
You watched Joe Rogan too?
Warmer weather doesnt “kill” the virus LOL. Just like with the flu every year, every virus declines in numbers in warmer weather because people aren’t packed INDOORS together, spreading germs around like STD’s
A lot of disease spreads through kids in schools, but this one isn’t affecting kids. It is killing older people but it is mostly 40 year olds that are getting sick. This one is spreading through the workplace, shopping malls, and gatherings. It probably won’t go away in the Summer.
Now I wouldn’t exactly say listen to Rogan, but the experts he typically has on his podcast aren’t the worst place to get unbiased information on particular topics.
Still probably a good a idea to seek out multiple opinions and listen to your local health agencies advice
I ask because Rogan just had an infectious disease expert on the pod who laid out what covid19 means.
It was relieving to get expert insight from Rogan’s guest but sad when I realize a fight commentator and comedian is a more reliable source for information than the president.
As a parent, I’m exceedingly grateful that children fare well with this disease. But bear in mind: they still get it and pass it along just like anyone else. The minimal symptoms mean that children are more likely to spread the disease — to one another and then on to teachers, parents, grandparents — because it is less likely they’ll be kept from school, etc.
Remote learning is being investigated here in New Jersey. Colleges are staying closed and teachers are training to handle the process online. It won’t be the same as human contact but the show must go on so to speak. Right now most are planning about a week or so at a time but bearing in mind the possibility of long term closure. This could be a different world.
+EJ
While i did watch that podcast, I also saw reports/articles before watching that detailed that warmer weather might not kill it off/slow it down enough.
That podcast had a good breakdown though of the virus though.
The local state university has gone strictly online.
So Jeff, in your opinion, should MLB continue with the season, cancel because of the virus, or hold a partial season with empty stadiums?
We should hear your opinion on the matter as well, especially since your perspective may offer valuable insight.
It is currently proliferating in warm and tropical areas. 10 years ago swine flu got worse after March, peaked in May and June, then came back in the fall.
I bet the Astros are glad this Corona Virus came along. Its directs attention away from them for awhile.
Wow, seriously!
Hadn’t thought of that, those lucky bastards
Rumors needs to check whether they washed their hands after hitting the can…
The owners would rather postpone than face a billion dollar class action lawsuit.
Will beer prices change?
You would think Corona would be cheaper right?
A really great opportunity here to do 100% the right thing. So whatever Manfred decides in the next few days, do the exact opposite.
Yep. In WWII FDR thought it was important for baseball to continue. Now it will be better for the country for it to be postponed. Sucks, this is my favorite time of the year, personally.
I hope they can start playing their games at spring training facilities with no fans.
Honestly, there are so many people involved with the team that it’s only a matter of time that a player or someone in the clubhouse will test positive and then it’s probably postponed.
The rise of esports is on the horizon.
If people want to watch other people play video games (for reasons I will never fathom) more power to them.
There is no “sport” involved.
But, we are not that far from leagues simming the rest of their seasons with their EA games.
The ‘Astros already won that World Series’.
Do the games have a banging trash cans cheat to reveal the next pitch?
This isn’t going to blow over in a week or so. According to one expert who has been involved with tracking pandemics since before SARS, this one will take 3-6 months to run its course. He said it’s just beginning in North America, but it will get a lot worse before it gets better.
Until actual players are infected (as in the NBA) playing in front of zero fans makes more sense than not playing the games.
Of course, it might only be days before each league has players test positive.
Assuming they can find a test kit somehow, of course.
Just imagine how loud the trash can banging would be if they played games without fans?
Echoeeesss
Just cancel the season. Pro sports are over.
Maybe this will be good if we don’t have sports for awhile. It will give us time to do important things, like spend time with family. Anyone getting upset over losing some sports, which is trivial, needs to reassess their life. It’s just a game.
good to see a lot less people claiming it isnt dangerous here. maybe there is hope for society…
nevermind, they were all on the previous article
I’m so sick of the panic and fear mongering. The only people in any kind of danger are those who are either immunocompromised or in very poor health. Literally any sickness can do those people in. Your average Joe will be sick for a few days and all will be fine.
Everyone is all worried about this Corvid 19 when we should be talking about more important topics on here like which nl central hitters are going to have bounce back seasons.
“So what if my parents and/or grandparents, aunts and uncles or the already unhealthy people around me get sick and die, I’ll probably be fine. What’s the big deal? Nothingburger!”
Yeah, DDT is probably a friendless orphan. No friends, no family, no neighbors. No need to be concerned about the sick or elderly. You have to admire the concern for his/her “fellow man”.
Ear, how about you take what I said at face value and not project your stupidity into it. Also, try working on your reading comprehension.
It’s not my stupidity being projected …
Your words are plain and very simple.
Forwhom…way to take what I said out of context.
DTD_ATL
2 hours ago
“I’m so sick of the panic and fear mongering. The only people in any kind of danger are those who are either immunocompromised or in very poor health. Literally any sickness can do those people in.”
Out of context??? you are a loser.
I hope you are right, DTD. Myself, I am over 60 and overweight too. It would be ironic if I caught the virus, as I have been a germophobe my entire life, carrying hand-washing to OCD levels.
For now, I am eating more vegetables and being more conscientious about taking my supplements, for what it is worth. My vacation will be spent mostly alone, roughing it in remote areas, with a slight chance I make it over to Lakeland for a game.
That will be me sitting out alone in the Bob Uecker seats.
Tiger I hear ya. I havnt grabbed a door handle in 20 years. Wash hands before eating. Get those antioxidants and super foods. Purple veggies, noni, acai, goji, kale.
Losing weight is easy, just don’t eat anything that taste good that you enjoy. You can have all the lettuce and celery you can gag down.
So you have no immune system because your body doesn’t go to spring training and practice for real games?
This is wrong. This disease has already killed numerous, healthy health care workers. Look at the doctor in China who helped discover this. A very healthy, middle aged man. He died from this. The Italian medical chief just died from
COVID-19 too. This virus is killing healthy people. Such a cavalier attitude is the reason why this will spread to over 1/2 the population.
Your proof that “he died from this” when the Chinese Govt were trying to suppress him speaking publicly is where exactly? Did you sight the death certificate with the cause of death in Mandarin? Sorry for being skeptical, however I wouldn’t believe anything at all that’s being said by the Chinese Govt. It took a virus like this for China to assert they are shutting down the trafficking of wild exotic animals for consumption, in the meantime such markets still exist all across Asia. People need to wake up to what’s going on in the world, this virus just didn’t magically appear from nothing, and before you all start shouting and getting all upset, what I have said is factual and is not up for debate.
After 38 years I finally got tickets to a home opener and now I’m wondering if they’re even gonna play the game. Frickin’ sucks.
I’ve got tickets to the Rangers home opener, the only opportunity I have to go to a game this season before deploying. I pray they don’t delay the start of the season…
Here’s hoping you and Scooter (above) get to go to your home openers!
I would suggest to cancel March baseball. Make a decision on April in a week or so. It’s a liability issue, imagine damaging baseball’s image any further.
Cancelling makes the most sense. Just think about the way the disease is transmitted, and the myriad places in a stadium or area where contamination can occur. It starts in the parking lots and public transit, through the turnstiles, the railings, the seats, the bathrooms, concession stands, etc. And that’s before you talk about just the people around you for 3 continuous hours.
Play starting at the end of April the World Series would be at the end of November. I could just see that a seven game series will probably take three weeks due to games being postponed due to snow.
It is absurd to start in March anyway. Cancel the first month. Start at the end of April
The Detroit Tigers, out of an abundance of caution, are urging fans and ticket holders to self guarantee. How will this effect games? Will fans watch the game outside the stadium?
Lock it up. Baseball is not that important right now.
Is suspending the NBA season and possibly the MLB season in wake of the Corona virus a move to keep fans safe or is this another move by these leagues to keep their million dollar player investments safe?
Arizona, Florida spring training sites will be okay to play at…….only these Dem run states are making this bigger than what it is…….the flu kills tens of thousands each year…….this did not kill 30 people yet in USA……..people die every day…….from one thing or another…….flu, gun shots, smoking, cancer, car accidents, heart attacks, eating too much process meats, etc………this started in China, and the USA will find the cure to end this for everyone.
America is the greatest nation on earth….we can do anything and solve any problems !
Our great medical professions are here to chew gum and find medical cures….and right now, they are all out of gum !
I don’t see a reason why they can’t play the games without an audience. It would be just like most of the sports we already watch on TV when we’re not there. We just wouldn’t get to see some guy catch a foul pop while holding a baby, drinking a beer, texting his friends and solving a math word problem all at the same time. Sure, it would take away from the overall entertainment experience but so what. No one watches me work and I’m totally fine with that. All these guys grew up playing baseball without thousands of people screaming. They can handle it.
great….have only rowdy screaming moms and dads only to be heard………how will that play in a empty stadium !………:My Son was Little League HR Champ, he will hit demolish this Pitcher!”
You don’t get it do you. Any gathering of people…players, staff, media etc. gives opportunity to spread virus to theirs to others and then they spread to others then they spread…get it…domino. No symptoms for at least 5 days…but you are spreading.
New rule – anyone arguing with an umpire gets mandatory self-quarantine for two weeks.
Just a thought.
any bad umpire missed call……60 days suspension !
This basically a social justice problem. If we can stop people from dying then we should at least consider the actions to achieve that goal. We are trying to cure cancer, but we are doing nothing about mass shootings. It’s all a matter of perspective and what people think about freedom. Honestly, if they stop sports and parades and concerts and other large gatherings, is it any hardship for most people? No. The most affected people by this are not professional athletes, entertainers and the like. They are those without benefits like insurance, sick time and/or unemployment. They have to keep working. Again it’s a social justice problem.
(insert face palm here)
The fact that the article is about the corona virus and you introduced “social justice problem” into it tells me everything I need to know. Perhaps change your nickname to social justice warrior.
postpone season until July 4th
A’s should just move to the Alamodome
I say we give up interleague play. Play 140 games and and go back to old School baseball. and I think everybody will love it because it’ll feel like we’re playing back in the 30s 40s and 50s. We will miss the 1st month of the season it’s ok. They been talking about shorten baseball season anyways. This can be a trial run to see how it works.
@ JohnDart that is an excellent comment
people on the inside I talked to about two weeks ago told me that the NBA season would be suspended and these same people are now telling me that MLB season will be delayed or cancelled and also looking like no NFL season 2020 , & possibly even college football season cancelled if this goes on through the summer
Mandated and MLB need to do what is right for the players, the league and the fans. Suspend the season, don’t let greed influence your ability to make the right decision.
****Manfred….
It’s better to be safe than sorry… delay until we know more.
All this for a cough and mild fever .
I’ll take the advice of public health experts, not medically challenged armchair pundits like you.
Tell that to the people in Italy.
Maybe the DH will be implemented in the National League by the time this is all said and done.
Dear lord I hope not, I will hate to see the double switch go the way of the Dodo. Keep both leagues the same; fans of both styles win.
Seems under control in China. Move games to China?
Delay it by 5 weeks and cut off 2 weeks of games. Let the regular season run over by 2 weeks, and try to play 7 double headers during the season. Add one player to the 40 man, making it a 41 player roster. They can expand the rosters on Sept 14th. The teams can carry an extra pitcher for the double headers.
Remove the WC game, go back to the old format for this season, 3 division winners and one WC.
Conspiracy
What if this never gets better?
It won’t if we don’t things like this and understand why.
Just have open air stadiums in non liberal crazy states host games for a season , it’ll be fun having a few two team cities for a season
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