As first reported by The Athletic, Major League Baseball has sent a 67-page document to the players’ union outlining their proposed health and safety guidelines for the 2020 season. The document (while still not completed) covers a variety of issues including testing, travel, in-stadium adjustments, and on-field changes.
This is certainly a step in the right direction to having a season in 2020, but according to ESPN‘s Jeff Passan, “Even with the manual’s specificity – multiple officials who have seen it expressed to ESPN skepticism about the ability to implement it, especially in a short time frame” (in regards to an early-July Opening Day).
A few highlights from the guideline:
MLB would split personnel into “safety tiers.” Tier one would consist of players, on-field, and medical personnel. Tier two would be all other “essential employees” which include front office officials. The first two tiers would consist of around 100 people per team, and will be required to receive constant testing. Tier three would consist of employees who are not directly interacting with the groups mentioned above such as the groundkeepers and cleaning crews.
According to Passan, “Players would undergo multiple temperature screenings daily, including at home before coming to the stadium. MLB would test Tier 1 and 2 individuals for the coronavirus multiple times a week, according to the document, calling testing “a critical component” of the game’s return. Family members would be tested too.”
Players who test positive will be immediately quarantined, and cannot resume until they show two negative tests, are symptom free, and are cleared to resume playing by team medical personnel (it was not specified for protocol if a tier one or two individual test positive while on the road). Players will also be required to wear masks at all times except while on the field or during any “strenuous activity.”
The league also mentions in the document that they plan to “offer free diagnostic and antibody/serology testing – for healthcare workers or other first responders in the Clubs’ home cities as a public service.”
Although there still MANY hurdles to overcome in order to have a season in 2020, we are finally beginning to see an outline to have baseball back safely.
