Playing out all scenarios for a unique season
Team prepares for no fans, masks in infield and no spitting in 2020
If the Phillies players didn’t realize how unique the 2020 MLB season is going to be, they got an eye-opening taste Wednesday.
The differences were readily apparent during manager Joe Girardi’s first intrasquad scrimmage at Citizens Bank Park, which lasted three innings.
The most obvious change is that no fans in the stands means things can be heard that would normally be drowned out by crowd noise — such as Bryce Harper yelling “sign him” after standout catcher J.T. Realmuto, who is heading into the final year of his contract, hit a two-run home run Wednesday. With MLB regular-season games scheduled to begin July 23 without fans — the Phillies open July 24 against the Marlins — TV viewers will be able to have access to more verbal interaction from players, managers and even umpires than ever before.
“Look, it’s definitely going to be different [without fans),” said first baseman Rhys Hoskins. “Even just [Wednesday] during an intrasquad game in an empty 40,000-seat stadium was weird in itself.”
Girardi believes piping in noise, which MLB has discussed doing, would be a good idea because it could allow managers to instruct their players without the opponent hearing the particulars. He thinks the strangest time during games will be the silence during big moments. There are plenty of other changes.
Spitting is something that has become a staple on the field, but is not permitted in a COVID-19 world. Neither is hugging, shaking hands, high-fiving or fighting. Pitchers aren’t permitted to lick their fingers on the mound. First- and
third-base coaches cannot leave the coach’s box to speak to baserunners, fielders or umpires, and players aren’t supposed to come within 6 feet of the opposition to socialize.
Even an established baseball tradition like throwing the ball around the infield after outs, including strikeouts, is “strongly discouraged” by MLB.
“I think the first time the ball started to go around the horn [Wednesday], they said `You can’t do that. Too many people touch it.’” Girardi said.
Designated hitters will be utilized in all games. The National League only had a DH before when playing in American League parks.
Baseballs are supposed to be removed from games if multiple players touch them. Teams could add the balls to their batting practice supply, which must be cleaned, sanitized and used no more than every five days.
Infielders Didi Gregorius, who gave a bunch of air high-fives after hitting a homer Wednesday, and Jean Segura were among the Phillies to sport facemasks on the field Wednesday.
Hoskins claimed he didn’t seriously think about it until the scrimmage, but said afterward that he might keep one in a Ziploc bag in his back pocket and put it on if there’s a runner at first base. What if he gets tangled up with the runner going back to the bag on a pickoff throw?
“These [masks] are pretty comfortable,” said Hoskins, who wore a black one on his Wednesday Zoom call. “Hot, for sure, but I think the expense of being hot is worth not catching this thing and eventually ruining a season.”
“I definitely think it’s possible that guys are going to wear masks,” said Girardi, who sports one during onfield drills.
To maintain social distancing, the Phillies are lifting weights on the concourse and eating at the Diamond Club during spring training 2.0.
The list goes on and on.
“At the end of the day, it’s about us being healthy and safe,” Hoskins said. “That’s our No. 1 priority.”
The players will undoubtedly adjust to the new-look MLB in 2020. They don’t have a choice.
It’ll be interesting to see how fans watching on TV react to so many pandemic-inspired changes.
Tom Moore is a columnist for the Bucks County Courier Times: He can be reached at: @TomMoorePhilly.
TMoore@gannett.com