It looks like we’re going to have a Major League Baseball season after all, even as COVID cases have increased in some states around the country.

Major League Baseball announced last week that a 60-game season will begin on July 23, in MLB stadiums across the U.S. The league and players’ union have reached an agreement to play 60 games in 66 days, in order to have the season conclude by the end of September, thus beginning the playoffs in October, as usual. Each team will play forty games against division rivals, and 20 games against the corresponding division in the other league.

A part of the agreement reads as follows;

The Commissioner retains the right to suspend or cancel the 2020 championship season or postseason, or any games therein, in the event that (i) restrictions on travel throughout the United States are imposed; (ii) there is a material change in circumstances such that the Commissioner determines, after consultation with recognized medical experts and the Players Association, that it poses an unreasonable health and safety risk to players or staff to stage those games, even without fans in attendance; or (III) The number of players who are unavailable to perform services due to COVID-19 is so great that the competitive integrity of the season is undermined.

Of course, MLB is hopeful this scenario will not occur. However, with COVID-19 cases spiking across the country and across the baseball landscape, no scenario, even the worst of the worst cases, should be reasonably ruled out.

Teams will have coronavirus CDC guidelines in place, including the use of masks in confined areas, no spitting will be allowed on the field, and pitchers will not be allowed to lick their fingers for moisture. Instead, pitchers will keep a damp rag in their pocket to wipe their fingers, and then they must dry their fingers before touching the ball or stepping on the rubber.

Frequent coronavirus testing will take place for all Major League team personnel and players. Spring training will take place in each teams’ home ballpark, not their Spring training facilities. The exception to this, may be the Toronto Blue Jays, who are currently speaking with Canadian federal and Ontario provincial government leaders to gain permission to work out at Rogers Centre.

Workouts will consist of three phases; individual and group workouts of five or fewer for pitchers and catchers, full-team workouts, with division into smaller groups if possible, and exhibition games. Workouts are to be staggered throughout the day when possible to avoid overcrowding, and teams are encouraged to consider also using nearby minor league or college facilities to split groups.

Other rules in place this season will include the use of the designated hitter in both leagues, throughout the season and playoffs, and each half inning of extra innings will begin with a runner on second base, as in the minor leagues.

As of this writing, MLB will begin the season without fans in the stadiums. However, the league is keeping open the possibility of allowing fans in the ballparks at some point. In the MLB Operations Manual on Page 28, it reads;

 Clubs may permit fan attendance at games with the approval of MLB and relevant local authorities.

The big question is, even if they do allow fans in the stands, how many will feel comfortable and safe doing so? For the time being, I’ll be able to just sit at home and watch the games on television.

THAT BEING SAID

Will I go watch the Tulsa Drillers play in the Texas Collegiate League? Absolutely.

The difference is, ONEOK Field is not a 30,000-seat stadium. Its capacity is roughly 8,000, and the average attendance will likely be in the 3,000 – 5,000 range. Even if the team draws well on a fireworks night, there is plenty of room around the ballpark to distance yourself.

Besides, it will be nice to be able to sit outside, on a beautiful summer evening and watch live baseball again.