Spit takes and new ways to tell stories
My question is about COVID rules for players in baseball. I thought some of the rules were no spitting, and pitchers not licking their fingers. During Saturday’s Jays-Rays game I saw many batters spitting near the batter’s box, as well as I saw Reese McGuire spit inside the dugout. I also observed Nick Anderson licking his fingers before pitching in the top of the eighth. What are the rules regarding this, and can an umpire penalize players not observing the rules? — Brian
I think there are too many deeply ingrained habits and traditions that will only be changed over time and with constant reminders, and in the first few days of competition I think some leeway is necessary. They would like to eliminate things like licking fingers, high-fives, chest bumps and the like, but it is not going to happen overnight and gentle reminders of lapses at the start is the best way to go. Do you believe the critical social and political issues we face are redefining sports journalism norms? Surely recent coverage and headlines suggest yes. What does this mean going forward — are you, your colleagues, teams, fans and readers already in a new space when it comes to how we view sports news and analysis? Do you think sports journalists and teams/players are prepared to make good use of their platforms? What are your hopes and fears re: these developments? — Charles
Yes, I think we are changing slightly how we approach storytelling about athletes and games, and are writing and talking about them with more context given to their feelings on greater issues and messages they may want to impart. We still have to concentrate mainly on the games and their outcomes and the athletics, but we are moving as a whole toward bigger picture stories aside from the games. And I think that’s a good thing. Do you see the CEBL and the NBLC merging at some point? Is there really enough money, viewers, etc. to go around for both leagues? — Kyle
No, I don’t. Ever. They don’t operate on the same business model, are chasing different “partners” and have a different view of what each is. I would think the sole ownership, small-scale, vastly more Canadian model of the CEBL is more sustainable and likely to succeed long term. But no, I don’t think they will ever merge. And given the scale at which the CEBL wants to operate, I do think there’s enough for them to thrive. Assuming a vaccine is developed for COVID-19, can the NBA mandate that all its players must get the vaccine? I presume they will need the agreement of the players, but would the union agree to that? It’s different than a test as you are inserting a medicine into your body — so I imagine the approach to reviewing a request like that will be different. — MSG
That’s going to be an interesting question in all sports. It would likely have to be collectively bargained with players’ associations, and I don’t know how easy that will be because there are civil liberties at issue. I do think leagues should try to make it a mandatory thing, but they not be able to.