Familiar sights, interactions gone
The Arizona Republic
PHOENIX – During a baserunning drill, Diamondbacks players rounded the bases, touched home plate and turned to watch their teammates follow in line behind them. Third baseman Eduardo Escobar stood near the plate giving imaginary high-fives to everyone.
Among the many ways baseball will be different in 2020, there is this: Social distancing rules call for as little physical contact as possible, and while baseball might not be known as a contact sport, there are interpersonal behaviors that have been ingrained in the game for decades that might not be easy to shake.
A catcher walks to the mound to calm a struggling pitcher, placing a hand on his back. A first base coach puts his hand on the shoulder of a baserunner, reminding him of a pitcher’s move to first. A dugout converges on a player who just hit a ground ball to the right side to advance a runner.
And then there are the real celebrations. Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta is known for being a fixture at the dugout opening, often the first to greet a teammate in celebration of a particular exploit. Changing his behavior, he said, will not be easy.
“That’s what we do,” Peralta said. “We celebrate when we do something good. We celebrate when we win. At the same time, we have to follow the rules. I know it’s going to be hard in the
ROB SCHUMACHER/THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC VIA USA TODAY NETWORK beginning, but the more games we play, I guess, we’re going to get used to it. Hopefully that’s the case.”
Physical space might be a part of playing baseball, but close interactions are what define many of the moments in between. Not this year.
Players and coaches on opposite teams are being asked not to socialize before or during games.
Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker said he imagines he will partake in far fewer conversations with baserunners at first this season.
“(Major League Baseball) sent out a protocol video and one of the recommendations was to be taking a few steps away from the bag between pitches, just giving the runner and first base coach some space,” Walker said. “I’ll be focusing on my own health concerns and wanting to be on the field all 60 games. I feel like I’ll ignore everybody if that’s what I have to do.”
Dugouts also will have a different feel, with coaches expected to wear masks at all times. Managers and coaches won’t exchange lineup cards before games.
Players and managers who engage in altercations with other players or umpires are subject to ejection.
“With the arguments and disagreements, I’m going to do my best to back off six feet and say what I need to say,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “With no fans in the stands, I think you’ll be able to get your point across from six feet. You don’t need to get so close, so I think we’re good there.”
Lovullo said he has no problem wearing a mask. His biggest issue, he said, is with what he’s allowed to put in his mouth.
“You guys see me chew gum; I chew gum like it’s the last piece of gum on earth,” he said. “I’m going to have to make some adjustments.”