The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic brought about sweeping changes across the globe and required professional sports leagues to implement strict health and safety protocols. The Los Angeles Dodgers took matters a step further by imposing team guidelines as well.
MLB provided teams with a 113-page operations manual for the 60-game season, which called for teams abiding by several recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health professionals.
So the Dodgers and all teams across the league are required to wear a face covering/mask and/or gaiter scarf in certain settings in and around the ballpark. They have been supplied such products by FOCO, a leading manufacturer of sports and entertainment merchandise and apparel.
FOCO not only is providing the Dodgers with face masks and gaiter scarves, with each player receiving a personalized one that includes their jersey number, the company has made them available for fans to purchase as well.
As multiple teams began to deal with outbreaks within their respective organizations, Justin Turner spearheaded the Dodgers becoming more aggressive with team-instituted protocols. Beginning during last week’s series at Chase Field, the Dodgers required players to wear some form of a face covering whenever in the dugout.
The changes also called for players who were not in the lineup to seat in the stands — still with a face mask or gaiter scarf — to better ensure physical distancing.
The Dodgers have already experienced their own effects of the virus, with Scott Alexander, Kenley Jansen and AJ Pollock among those to have contracted it prior to the start of Summer Camp. Jansen implored fans to take heed of its seriousness and wear a mask when in public.
Options from FOCO include masks and gaiter scarves with Dodgers branding on them, and options with player numbers for the likes of Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts and Turner, among others. FOCO additionally has a wide selection of Dodgers bobbleheads and other memorabilia.
Jansen still recovering
While Jansen cleared protocols in order to report for Summer Camp and participate in the regular season, he said this week the recovery process was ongoing.
“Every day I’m feeling better,” Jansen said. “I’m for sure going to tell you yes in October that I wasn’t 100% (at present time). The first day you start working out, it’s like you’re off balance. It’s hard. You’ve just got to keep going through it and get back in shape.”
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