An idea to get the baseball season underway in Phoenix is not received well by players
MLB has been considering a few options that could allow this season to continue running, although one, in particular, has not been well-received by baseball players. The proposal is to bring all 30 teams together in Arizona to play in empty spring training stadiums in a very regulated atmosphere that can be kept virus-free as much as possible. While the idea would allow the season to get going, it hasn’t been positively received by league players.
Several players disagree with the idea, as they can’t imagine being separated from their families for the whole time the period lasts – it could be two months, or it could be the entire season. This proposal, which has been shared in several reports, would require all league players to be quarantined away from their families to keep the league inside of a bubble, in which the spread of the virus can be contained.
The whole season will be about teams moving from hotels to their busses to the stadiums and back to the hotel, also getting regular testing to prevent the disease from spreading if it is the case. “I definitely think this is just a first idea that’s being thrown around,” Diamondbacks catcher Stephen Vogt said. “Obviously, I’m not a fan of the idea of being away from my family for four months. If anything, what I took away from this initial proposal is that it shows MLB’s dedication to just, hey, we’re trying to do whatever we can to get the longest season possible for the fans, the players and everyone who works in the industry of baseball.”
According to a few sources, the MLB and the MLB Players Association are navigating through several possibilities and solutions to keep the season running. It was clear on a statement made yesterday morning that a decision has not been made. Even a few players asked if they could get their contracts voided if refused to the proposal, some others are more willing to this but for shorter periods, not the entire season. MLB will continue working on more solutions.
