MLB expected to suspend spring training, delay the regular season

Well, this was pretty much inevitable. The world, and our little corner in the world of American sports, has been disrupted in basically unprecedented fashion due to growing concerns of the coronavirus. The NBA suspended their season after Jazz center Rudy Gobert (and later guard Donovan Mitchell) tested positive for the virus. The NHL is expected to follow suit at any moment. MLS has postponed their season. NCAA basketball conference tournaments, and spring sports in general, are being canceled or postponed. The NCAA tournament itself may not be played. MLB, meanwhile, had been dragging their feet, but they finally took some action today. The league is suspending the rest of spring training, and the start of the regular season will likely be delayed as well. That’s all we have so far.

I’m not really sure where to do from here. This is obviously the right move, and while people may call it an overreaction, that is much better than an under reaction. The hope is that we are able to contain this from spreading enough that we look back at this as an overreaction. That is the best-case scenario, and while MLB was certainly later than they should have been here, we have to acknowledge that this is a tough situation and there are financial factors — for park employees and businesses around the parks, among others. It’s not just MLB owners and players — that need to be considered. Teams and parks should have a plan in place to compensate their own employees, at least, but we’ll see if that actually comes to fruition.

As for us, well, I don’t know! This is uncharted territory. We’re going to run somewhat normally for the time being. Things will probably be a little bit lighter content-wise, but we’re not going dark or anything. I still have some logistical stuff to work out, mainly figuring out how not to be a dumb idiot with technology, but I think we will try to have an OOTP sim stream every night to at least get some Red Sox baseball feeling in our lives. It’s not the same, but it’s something. We’ll keep you posted with plans and changes. More than anything, be safe and take every precaution you are allowed to take.

Update: Joel Sherman is reporting the suspension will begin tomorrow. Why they aren’t ending games immediately is beyond me.

Update 2: Jon Heyman is reporting that suspension of play now starts at 4:00 PM ET today and that the regular season will be delayed by at least two weeks.