Baseball still has some hope for the 2020 season despite the ongoing pandemic, at least according to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
According to sources, Manfred recently discussed this with MLB employees that he fully expects baseball to return this season. This could also explain why more than half of all MLB teams extended paying their staff through May.
The season was set to begin on March 26th and with nearly one month gone, realistically 162-game season is highly doubtful. Finding a suitable place to continue the season has been another issue.
Many states have issued stay-home orders due to the pandemic, so MLB has explored many different hosting scenarios. One of the most likely would be to have games in Arizona with a restructured league. Arizona Governor had already expressed his approval last week during an interview:
“Two words that would allow the country and the state of Arizona to know that things were headed back to normal would be, ‘Play ball,’”
It is simple to say that all 30 MLB teams can be easily be accommodated by staying in Arizona. Players would have to be quarantined in hotels and tested regularly before playing in empty ballparks. Yep, no fans.
Pointing out the obvious, Dodger fans are very eager to get this season rolling. Already missing out on the highly anticipated MLB All-Star Game, Dodger fans just want baseball back.
Some fans are skeptical about a restructured MLB that could see two completely odd leagues. One of the league’s restructured ideas could be as follows:
Grapefruit League
North Division: NY Yankees, Philadelphia, Toronto, Detroit, Pittsburg
South Division: Boston, Minnesota, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Baltimore
East: Washington, Houston, NY Mets, St. Louis, Miami
Cactus League
Northeast: CHI Cubs, San Francisco, Arizona, Colorado, Oakland
West: DODGERS, CHI Sox, Cincinnati, Cleveland, LA Angels
Northwest: Milwaukee, San Diego, Seattle, Texas, Kansas City
The Dodgers already have an Arizona home at the Camelback Ranch facility that is shared with the Chicago White Sox. It could very well accommodate both teams for a shortened season with 12 practice diamonds and 3 practice infield as well as a 10,000 plus seat stadium for games.
The excitement is growing. Dodger baseball could be happening soon. Hopefully.
