MLB takes first step for season
One year later, Major League Baseball players and managers believe they have a better understanding of what it takes to make baseball happen in a pandemic.
Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training camps Wednesday, saying they appreciate what’s at stake as they try to ensure the 2021 season starts on time. The protocols have been tightened even further from what they experienced last year, when the regular season was abbreviated from its normal 162-game schedule to just 60 contests, with no fans in ballparks during that time and only limited attendance during the neutral-site playoffs that ended with the Los Angeles Dodgers as World Series champions.
“We’ve all gone through a year of this, of living through this. And so I think we’re a little,” New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before reconsidering his adjective, “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 MLB and the players’ union require players, managers, coaches and other team personnel to wear electronic tracing wristbands for ballpark access. Players underwent a five-day quarantine at home before reporting, with exceptions for essential activities and approved outdoor workouts. 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.
“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 importance. I think some of the workouts are going to be in smaller groups, a lot more on point with mask wearing and things like that. I don’t think it will affect our work too much. We’ll certainly be able to get done what we need to get done.”
Outdoor dining will be allowed only if players get permission beforehand. And forget the off-field meetups: Under MLB’s protocols, even getting together at a team’s spring complex is more difficult. Gathering in places such as the video room — usually a convenient spot for three to four players to meet — is a no-no.
Veteran catcher James McCann faces hurdles this spring trying to bond with an entirely new pitching staff after signing a $40 million, four-year deal with New York Mets. Normally, McCann would invite pitchers to dinner, set up play dates for their kids, go out and grab a drink — anything to help develop those relationships.
“Nobody likes to wear a mask and sit and talk six feet away from each other,” McCann said. “A lot of different things, I guess, we took for granted.”
MLB hopes to have a full season. Last year, the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals both dealt with COVID19 outbreaks that resulted in multiple postponements.
“We’re the lucky sport to have 162 games, but with that obviously comes a lot of thoughtfulness and dedication and commitment,” new Marlins general manager Kim Ng said. “To play this game, you have to be absolutely committed, especially this team with them going through what they went through last year. People understand how it can decimate.”
Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez battled COVID19 last summer and said he wasn’t the same the rest of the season.
Two players were added to the COVID-19-related injured list Wednesday: Boston Red Sox catcher Kevin Plawecki and Chicago Cubs left-hander Kyle Ryan.