Quote from fenn68 on April 3, 2020, 12:14 pm

@PadreBall

·

1h

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have established a loose date of April 10 by which to have discussions about the resumption of play.

Quote from MrPadre19 on April 3, 2020, 1:11 pm

Well that's a start.

Quote from fenn68 on April 3, 2020, 2:49 pm

Unfortunately beginning to have the fear that the season will be cancelled.

The biggest hurdle is when the teams can assemble players under conditions where none of them can contract the virus (and pass the virus) ... because if one does ... that shuts down everything again. The Chinese Basketball tried to restart but they had to shut it down again when a player tested positive. Then follow that up with everything has to go right for 30 teams in 30 different locations.

Have yet to hit a peak ... then a plateau for some period of time ... then a period of decline ... all before the contagion is minimized enough to group assembly. That could be a very long time ... at some point the start/end/playoffs may just not be justifiable.

Then add the issue of fans attending games ... some current commentary is that at least half the teams would lose money playing to empty stadiums (while paying players) and the logistics of going into Oct / Nov .... hotels et al for the teams ... a lot of hurdles. Even with fans being able to attend ... not betting on a big turnout early (self caution, financial hardships) and in games that are in neutral sites no one is traveling and the locals will not care.

Hope I am wrong ... but even though the  fan part of me would watch any fresh baseball on TV the combo of health issues and financial issues (for the league) makes me doubt.

Quote from MrPadre19 on April 4, 2020, 5:57 am

I'm guessing "worst case scenario" we have Opening day on July 4th and play an 81 or 100 game schedule.

How awesome would a Saturday 4th of July Opening Day be?!
It would be MORE awesome if it's sooner but that would be pretty cool in my opinion.

 

Quote from WindsorUK on April 4, 2020, 7:02 am

Alright, here are some( outlandish?!) ideas on how they can get this season up and running.

First, test your big leaguers! Bring everyone back together ( herd mentality) Keep them together for 2 weeks ( like they were going to be anyways). Look after those who get sick. After, what, 4-6 weeks, every guy in the clubhouse should be on the other side of this thing. If all the teams do this, you're ready to go 01 June.

As for fans, spread them out like we're currently doing at grocery stores( 2m apart) whilst they queue to get in. Then only sell that small number of tickets that'll guarantee you have social distancing covered. Limited concessions, toilets open, again with the queues set to promote seperation.

No one allowed to run after balls hit in the stands( game staff will collect).

Same orderly queues to leave the venue after the game has finished.

Before you say it's impossible, try adding to the list, things that could bring us baseball this summer.

We as a species adapt to our environment ALL THE TIME. This is no different. Change things up. Create a new normal.

Bring on baseball 2020!

Go Pads!!!!!

Quote from MrPadre19 on April 4, 2020, 9:53 am

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/coronavirus-mlb-debating-playing-games-at-spring-training-ballparks-without-fans-per-report/

 

While still many hurdles to jump over this does make some sense.

I have been advocating for playing in empty stadiums but that didn't solve the issue of travel and hotels etc. and the health hazard that

presents.

Playing all the games in Arizona and limiting the players/Coaches etc. movements while this is happening could solve this.

BUT...still many questions to be answered and still a lot of moving parts involved in keeping everyone safe.

 

Quote from WindsorUK on April 4, 2020, 10:10 am

I love this! They're thinking outside the box!

This is the ONLY way for any sport to return to the court/pitch/field.

Although I don't think the world is any worse off without sport, it's just a helluva lot more fun WITH it!

Quote from BoosterSD on April 4, 2020, 4:28 pm

A couple of issues with playing in ST venues here in AZ. While normally in March, regular ST time, the weather is pretty nice, we are going to get to the end of this real soon. If this is a temporary solution through end of May, should work fine. After June 1, it would be difficult to see ML games being played at 4pm7pm EDT here in AZ as the temp would probably be close to 100-105 by that time. And late afternoon is the hottest part of the day. Second, half the teams being in FLA and the other in AZ, how would the schedule play out? For instance, the AL and NL Central are split between FLA and AZ, how would interdivision games play out? Plus, many established players dont like the bus time in the FLA ST, and even though these games would be series and not one and done, still doesnt change the fact of being on a bus for 3-7 hours each way.

These would be minor issues back in the 50-80s, but with todays pampered/spoiled pro Athletes, seems like it would be a bigger issue.

Quote from Brian Connelly on April 4, 2020, 6:06 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on April 4, 2020, 9:53 am

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/coronavirus-mlb-debating-playing-games-at-spring-training-ballparks-without-fans-per-report/

 

While still many hurdles to jump over this does make some sense.

I have been advocating for playing in empty stadiums but that didn't solve the issue of travel and hotels etc. and the health hazard that

presents.

Playing all the games in Arizona and limiting the players/Coaches etc. movements while this is happening could solve this.

BUT...still many questions to be answered and still a lot of moving parts involved in keeping everyone safe.

 

I think they will have to do something along these lines....  the biggest overlooked issue no one is talking about is that you really can't start MLB without simultaneously starting SOME version of Minor leagues... at LEAST the top 2 levels.  First time a guy goes on the DL after season starts for any team, they call up....???  In the initial first week or 2 the guys sent down to "minors" would still be in playing shape, but if THOSE teams aren't playing pretty quickly you wouldn't have a guy who had taken live AB's or stretched out as a SP etc...

So maybe do something like simultaneous re-start of MLB ST AND "top 1/2" of Minors.... guys that project to at least High-A participate in the ST, season starts simultaneously for both MLB and AAA & AA but all on backlots at Minors complexes.  Since no one physically at the games to start, doesn't matter as much what time of day/night they are....

This would allow MLB & top 2 levels of minors to get as many games as possible in before (presumably) MLB at least moves to actual games in stadiums...   Ideally then you get the "bottom 1/2" of Minors going at the complexes after MLB teams move out? I'm really dubious Minors can take place at the vast # of locations, etc like a normal season... makes more sense to keep those guys playing & developing  SOMEwhere though...  if the High school draft picks can play in AZL in August with no fans watching, the higher levels can play there too!