Protocols stiffer this spring training
Players had to quarantine before arriving for preseason drills
One year later, players and managers say they have a better understanding of what it takes to play baseball through a pandemic.
Pitchers and catchers around the game reported to spring training Wednesday saying they appreciate what’s at stake as they try to make sure the season starts on time. The protocols have been tightened even further from what they experienced during the abbreviated 2020 season.
“We’ve all gone through a year of this, of living through this,” New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “And so I think we’re a little, much better equipped of how to handle ourselves, how to conduct ourselves, how to make good use of our time.”
New standards agreed to by Major League Baseball and the players’ association require players, staffers and other team personnel to wear electronic tracing wristbands for ballpark access. Players underwent a five-day at-home quarantine before reporting, with exceptions for essential activities and approved outdoor workouts and exercise.
They’ll need to stay in their living quarters throughout spring training except for baseball activities, medical care, grocery shopping, takeout food pickups and outdoor physical activity. Outdoor dining will only be allowed if they get permission beforehand.
“Between the players’ union and MLB, the agreement I think is pretty rock-solid when it comes to player safety, staff safety,” Chicago White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito said Tuesday. “There’s going to be a few things that are a little more, what’s the word for it, given more
of four days in full pads before playing its season opener.
“It could move us potentially down to four games,” Marquez said. “But we can also be creative.”
Schools or districts that started their hybrid model the week of Feb. 8, or this week, won’t be hamstrung as much as those who don’t get into hybrid until next week or later. The Albuquerque Public Schools board on Wednesday night voted to keep the district in a remote learning model. (See the Journal’s story on A1 for more on this.)
From a COVID-19 perspective, once a school gets into hybrid, it faces a 14-day waiting period as the state monitors.
“If the school does not experience four or more rapid responses in the 14-day waiting period, it may commence participation in NMAA activities,” according to the PED guidelines. Other PED guideline items of note:
■ No fans will be allowed at prep sporting events;
■ Masks will be mandatory for athletes in competition;
■ A percentage of coaches and staff (roughly 25%) will randomly be tested for COVID-19 through the state’s surveillance testing program; the document does not reference testing athletes.
The guidelines also outline the protocols to follow if a team has a positive COVID test. “One or more positive tests among players or coaches will result in a 14-day suspension of practices and competition,” it says.
Ridenour said, somewhat ominously, “We’re gonna wait over the next (couple) days and find out if our learning model will get approved by the state or not. By Friday, we’ll know whether we’re starting spring football or (getting ready) to start our offseason.”