Major League Baseball and the rest of the sports scene in North America has been at a standstill for nearly two months due to concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Under normal circumstances, MLB would already be more than a month into their regular season. Instead, the league continues to evaluate a multitude of scenarios in how it should proceed — if at all — with the 2020 campaign.
Various plans have been discussed, including some that would require teams to begin the year in a centralized location. Recent reports indicate that the preference is for clubs to play games at their respective home ballparks — albeit without fans in the stands.
Whether that comes to fruition will depend on a number of factors, including states loosening stay-at-home orders and an ample amount of tests being available for players.
Also influencing MLB’s thought process are the opinions of politicians across the nation, via Ken Rosenthal, Shams Charania and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic:
In fact, the MLB official said, “there is an extraordinary amount of politics involved.” Politics at the federal, state and county levels, politics even at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
MLB had been relying on the advice of healthcare officials in their discussions to potentially carry forward with the 2020 season, but now it appears politicians will have a major say as well.
The problem with that is most politicians are divided on how soon states should ease off restrictions.
President Donald Trump has made it clear his desire is to reopen the country as soon as possible. Others, such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, are taking a more cautious approach. Though, California is on the verge of loosening restrictions.
Some states have already begun allowing businesses to reopen, while others aren’t expected to lift lockdowns until later this month.
MLB is believed to be targeting a late June or early July timeframe for Opening Day. Though, nothing is set in stone yet, and there are many elements that could sway a decision.
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