SOME SANITY

LeMahieu looks for normalcy by coming to ballpark

routine.

“Personally, it keeps me sane,” LeMahieu said of coming to a ballpark that is all but locked up and participating in some limited workouts. “It's nice to be able to come here and at least work out and do some baseball stuff. I would be going crazy if I wasn't able to do that at least. We're doing that and they are making it as safe as possible for us in there, so I think it's good.”

While MLB has discouraged teams from having players working out at their facilities, the players association has encouraged them to stay where they feel safest and most comfortable. By going to the facility regularly, LeMahieu is practicing what a lot of doctors are preaching right now as Americans try to stop the spread of this highly contagious disease. Doctors are recommending physical activity to not just help keep up your immune systems, but also to help alleviate stress and anxiety.

Being able to get outside on a limited basis and continue workouts was a main consideration for LeMahieu and his wife in deciding to stay in the Tampa area during this uncertain time.

“All the gyms are closed in @ESPNStatsInfo

Michigan,” LeMahieu said of his offseason home. “And it's cold, just being able to be out a little bit here and work out. I just think it's the best place to be right now.”

The routine of showing up at the ballpark may be familiar to LeMahieu, but not a lot about the workouts inside these days is normal. Players cannot workout in groups that exceed the Centers for Disease Control's recommendations of more than 10 people. They try to maintain the optimum distance of staying at least six feet apart.

“Everyone's wearing gloves and we're giving each other space. I think everyone kind of trusts that we're doing everything we can to stay safe,” LeMahieu said. “By the same time, we're trying to get a little bit of work in at least and stay in shape. I know the rehab guys are thankful they can come in and do their thing. I think they are leaving it open mostly so those rehab guys can stay healthy. At the same time, because we're down here they are letting us work out as well.”

And like most who love baseball, LeMahieu said that players are optimistically speculating and talking about when they can get back on the field for good.

“We want to play as soon as possible, I know that,” LeMahieu said. “So everyone is throwing out crazy ideas in order to play as soon as possible. Realistically, I don't know.”

Officially, MLB has postponed the start of the regular season until mid-May at this point. Several executives are privately saying they do not expect baseball to return until at least the start of June.

For now, LeMahieu, like everyone else dealing with a new reality, is going to continue to seek out some normalcy. He and his wife move around a lot during the offseason and have come down to Florida before spring training to enjoy the weather. They plan on staying here where he can find a safe place to keep working out and try to make it through the uncertainty.

“I mean I guess personally we're doing OK. It's a serious situation,” LeMahieu said. “I don't think anyone saw it coming. We're doing what we can.”