As MLB and the MLBPA continue to discuss scenarios regarding the potential return to play amid the coronavirus pandemic, it's possible that games will have to be played without fans in attendance for the entirety of the 2020 season should it start.
But Yankees president Randy Levine doesn't believe that playing without fans for the whole season is "practical."
While first noting that the "sports industry could be an example for all industry for us to work with health experts," Levine balked at the potential season-long no fans aspect.
"How can we get into our parks as soon as we can with all the appropriate mitigation -- social distancing, taking temperature checks, wearing masks, wearing gloves," Levine said Wednesday on Mornings with Maria on the Fox Business channel. "I think it's all doable because I think that, to have games just on TV for the whole season for many, many reasons is not practical."
With the season still paused, three scenarios for starting it have come to light.
- The "Arizona Plan," which has initial support from Dr. Anthony Fauci and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Under the Arizona plan, all 30 teams would play in and around Phoenix in empty ballparks. The plan would mean players and support staff living in a bubble of sorts in hotels in Arizona. It would also likely have a coronavirus testing element.
- The "Cactus and Grapefruit League" plan would mean teams playing in Arizona and Florida, split up depending on where their spring training sites are.
- The most recent plan to be reported is one that has hubs for teams in Arizona, Texas, and Florida. Under that plan, teams in each area would have major league and minor league ballparks to use, including at least one ballpark in each area with a roof.
It has also been reported that MLB wants a plan that is flexible enough to allow for the potential of teams eventually playing in other areas than the initial locations, including their home ballparks.
Levine, while not in favor of a situation where teams would play without fans all season, said the country needs its sports back.
"I think that we just get going, be prepared. There has to be a private-public partnership that all sides - the economic sides, the health sides - are brought to bear to make sure this is done safely and reasonably, and that's where we're trying to go right now to get this going as quickly as we can. The country needs sports."
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said earlier this week that he "fully anticipates" MLB will return at some point in 2020.
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