The coronavirus pandemic has put the entire sports world on hold. Major League Baseball hasn’t started their season yet but is considering a plan that would see the season start in May.
The plan being considered has all 30 MLB teams playing games in the Phoenix area at stadiums without fans, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, in addition to 10 spring training facilities and other nearby fields, would be used to play the games.
Players, coaches, and other essential personnel would be isolated at local hotels and only travel to and from the games. MLB and MLB Players Association leadership have embraced this plan. MLB issued a statement on the Arizona plan on Tuesday.
“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,” MLB’s statement said. “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. 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 also said, “The health and safety of our employees, players, fans and the public at large are paramount, and 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.”
At first glance, this plan looks like a good one. However, there are many complications that should make MLB throw away this plan. The complications involve travel, lodging, security and the coronavirus.
Can everyone involved get tested for the coronavirus and what happens if a player tests positive for the virus?
There’s also no knowing how bad things with the coronavirus will be in May.
Once source with direct knowledge of the Arizona plan told Andy Martino of SNY that “it’s either this or nothing.”
Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Christian Yelich thinks there’s a chance of the MLB season occurring.
“I saw that last night. I think late last night was the first time I’d actually heard of that plan,” Yelich told Ryan Hannable of WEEI. “I think a lot of guys have been talking about it today, obviously. I think there are a lot of challenges to that plan. I don’t think that is the plan that they are for sure going with. I could be wrong. I would have to look into it a little more, but it would definitely be challenging. There’s a very real chance that we don’t play as much as there is that we do play. I would say it is probably 50/50.”
Everyone wants everything to go back to normal and to have sports back. While MLB is looking at numerous plans for getting their season started, they should get rid of the Arizona plan because it won’t work.
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