The latest MLB news reports say a 3-city plan is being discussed as an option for the 2020 season. If nothing else, you can’t say baseball ain’t trying.
Normally, this time of year belongs to baseball. With the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, however, the world is at a standstill and fans await eagerly for good MLB news.
Unfortunately, that time hasn’t come and is, at least for the time being, nowhere in sight. At the same time, almost on a daily basis, baseball fans have been introduced to various proposals MLB and the higher-ups have considered in order to finally commence the 2020 season.
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First, it was the Arizona plan (aka “Bubble City”). In this plan, all 30 MLB teams would take residence in the vicinity of Arizona’s Cactus League, shacking up in hotels for months at a time. There, they’d play in empty stadiums while also abiding by social distancing rules.
Then, a plan to play in Japan was introduced. MLB teams would share stadiums with NPB teams and would play day games while NPB teams played their games at night.
However, Japan just delayed the start of its season again this week and their start of the season is also nowhere in sight.
Now, we have another idea first introduced to us by R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports. This idea is essentially an expansion of the Arizona Plan and includes games being played in three cities: Phoenix, Aironza, Arlington, Texas, and St. Petersburg, Florida.
"Ballparks in St. Petersburg (Florida), Phoenix (Arizona), and Arlington (Texas) each have roofs, retractable or otherwise, that would safeguard against rainouts and other extreme weather, allowing for multiple games to be hosted at those sites per day. Theoretically, MLB could also ask teams stationed in Florida and Texas to drive three-plus hours to other MLB parks (Houston’s Minute Maid Park and Miami’s Marlins Park)."
While baseball has made it clear that there is no set plan for the season to resume, ESPN’s Jeff Passan just last night quoted commissioner Rob Manfred as saying, “I fully anticipate baseball will return this season.”
So there is reason to be hopeful.
In the meantime, continue observing social distancing restrictions as you await good MLB news. Stay home and stay safe, everybody.