Virus could limit pro locker-room access
MIAMI — The NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer are all weighing plans to restrict access to locker rooms as a precaution to protect players from exposure to the coronavirus, as concern over the situation continued escalating Saturday.
No collective decisions have been made.
The changes would not eliminate media interviews with players before and after games but would simply move them to a different location. The changes would be designed to limit locker-room access solely to players and essential team personnel.
“In consultation with infectious disease and public health experts, we’re discussing with other sports leagues options to protect the health of everyone in our buildings, including those typically in our locker rooms,“NBA spokesman Mike Bass said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Canadian health officials have been part of the talks with the leagues.
“We are undertaking many precautions currently,“MLB said in a statement Saturday. “For example, we are asking anyone — including media — who has visited a high-risk area, as defined by the CDC, within the last 14 days not to visit our facilities.“
MLB added that it has not made changes to media access procedures, though it was discussing “additional measures“with other leagues.
MLS is expected to have some limits on access this weekend, but no NHL or NBA teams are working under a league mandate to change pregame or postgame procedures. The
New York Islanders did not have postgame locker room access Saturday in response to the outbreak.
The NFL has also been involved in the multileague talks on some level, though is not part of the current restricting-access plans.
The women’s world hockey championships in Canada were canceled Saturday because of the new coronavirus.
International Ice Hockey Federation President Ren
Fasel said the decision was made by conference call. The two-week tournament was set to open March 31.
GOLF Hatton has 2-shot lead at Bay Hill
Tyrrell Hatton made a 30-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a 1-over 73 to end the most brutal day at Bay Hill in 37 years and build a two-shot lead going into the final round of the
Arnold Palmer Invitational at Orlando, Fla.
Rory McIlroy was happy with his run of 13 straight pars, delighted to make his first birdie on the par-5 16th and not terribly bothered by a bogey on the final hole for a 73. McIlroy joined another past champion, Marc Leishman (72) just two shots behind.
Hatton was at 6-under 210, the highest 54-hole
score to lead at Bay Hill since Ben Crenshaw in 1993.
Max Homa played early and made double bogey on the 18th hole that ruined a tremendous round. He had to settle for 70. It was the only score under par. The average score was 75.91, the highest for any round at Bay Hill since it was 76.29 in the second round in 1983.
In other news:
• Ernie Els took the second-round lead in the PGA Tour Champions’ Hoag Classic, with a 7under 64 at Newport Beach, Calif.
GYMNASTICS Van Wicklen to skip meet
Houston area gymnast
Colin Van Wicklen has withdrawn from an upcoming World Cup event in Baku, Azerbaijan, because of concern over the coronavirus in the region.
Van Wicklen, who is from Magnolia and trains at Oklahoma, was scheduled to compete March
12-15 at the International Gymnastics Federation meet, where gymnasts compete on each of the six events to determine points for qualification to the Tokyo Olympics.
However, the COVID-19 virus has resulted in at least a hundred cases in Iran, which is adjacent to Azerbaijan.
MOTOR SPORTS Elliott takes Phoenix pole
Chase Elliott won the pole for the NASCAR Cup Series event at Phoenix Raceway.
Elliott made it around the 1-mile oval in 26.065 seconds. It’s the first time the Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet driver has won a pole in Arizona. He’ll start
Sunday’s race alongside nine-time Phoenix winner
Kevin Harvick, who finished 0.045 seconds behind Elliott.
In other news: • Brandon Jones
passed Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota teammate Kyle
Busch with 20 laps remaining and pulled away at Phoenix Raceway for his second career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory.
HORSE RACING SHRP: Uptown Sandy Girl wins
Uptown Sandy Girl captured the Grade I $50,000 HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup and Iridesse upset favored Rb Kinetic in the $11,200 WATHBA Stallions Cup at Sam Houston Race Park.
RUGBY SaberCats lose fourth straight
The Houston SaberCats squandered a 17-7 halftime lead in a 24-20 loss to Austin Gilgronis at Aveva Stadium. It was the SaberCats fourth straight defeat.
The SaberCats, 1-4 on the season, will face the New England Free Jacks on the road on March 14 at 3 p.m. CT.