MLB owners approved a plan to get baseball underway in July, but a lot of hard questions still need to be answered before baseball officially gets underway again.
The MLB proposal includes several changes to the season, most remarkably a suggested revenue split between players and owners that’s a first for the league. Players would play 82 regular-season games with few inter-league match-ups (to minimize travel) and playoffs would be expanded from 10 teams to 14. On March 26, players and the MLB players union agreed to a framework for economic viability for the season to start, but the main concerns that still haven’t been addressed have to do with the health and safety of players and staff.
The Washington Nationals closer Sean Doolittle shared some of his concerns over the season’s proposed start on social media, breaking down all the questions that remain unanswered.
In his twitter thread, Doolittle said that so far, everyone had “zoomed past the most important part of any MLB restart plan,” which is the health and safety of the workers and players.
Bear with me, but it feels like we've zoomed past the most important aspect of any MLB restart plan: health protections for players, families, staff, stadium workers and the workforce it would require to resume a season. Here are some things I'll be looking for in the proposal…
— Obi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020
The impact of COVID-19 on people is still being understood, but early research suggests that the affects are long lasting, even for people who appear asymptomatic. Even with protocols put into place, the risk of infection and the long term effects of that could be high, Doolittle said.
Doolittle called out the need for the new MLB proposal to address things like testing, quarantining and what happens if a player tests positive. Among the questions Doolittle says players should ask is, Will there be modifications made to clubhouses or other facilities to prevent a spread?
We know that sharing indoor spaces greatly increases the infection risk, and it's rare that only 1 person gets sick. Will there be modifications made to clubhouses or other facilities to prevent a spread?https://t.co/lawfFDV6r6https://t.co/J5Lg1AfDJyhttps://t.co/nIU8MAEXHm
— Obi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020
Also, how frequently will players be tested to stay ahead of a potential outbreak?
And we've learned that you release the most virus into your environment prior to symptoms even showing. So how frequently will we be testing to stay ahead of a potential spread and to mitigate as much risk as possible? https://t.co/ITimbAdfvl
— Obi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020
Another important point Dolittle raises is how many tests would be needed to adequately test players, but to also protect coaches, security crew, ground staff and many, many others.
And that's before we get to hotel workers and transportation workers (pilots, flight attendants, bus drivers). They are essential workers. We wouldn't be able to play a season without them, and they deserve the same protections.
— Obi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020
Aside from just logistical questions, Doolittle also questions something more existential and at the hart of every reopening debate around the country. What is the level of risk players are willing to assume? And how will MLB gets access to tests in a safe and ethical way?
Hopefully these concerns will be addressed in MLB's proposal, first and foremost: 1) what's the plan to ethically acquire enough tests? 2) what's the protocol if a player, staff member, or worker contracts the virus? We want to play. And we want everyone to stay safe.
— Obi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020
These are all important questions that need to be asked and addressed before MLB even thinks about coming back.
MLB will present its plan to players on Tuesday.
[jwplayer qOJlmd2s-q2aasYxh]