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The MLB on Tuesday released its COVID-19 influenced health and safety protocols for the 2021 season, rules and regulations that have also been approved by the MLBPA.
Most chips have to do with the dos and don’ts of player behavior, like where they can eat on the road – outdoor seating only in restaurants within walking distance of. a hotel, for example – and quarantine procedures for spring training. .
MORE: Spring training report dates for all 30 MLB teams
Instead of copying and pasting everything from the version (which you can read here, if you like), here are five “highlights” that we found most interesting.
1. Face mask application agents are one thing
Here is how it is worded in the MLB statement: “Face coverings must be properly worn at all times in club facilities and in the dugout, except for players on the field during a game or during warm-ups. pre-game. Each club will appoint at least one face mask enforcer and automatic fines will be issued for non-compliance during matches, with fines collected going to charity.
This is a good thing. A very, very good thing. Wear your damn masks, gamers. And if you can’t be responsible enough to wear a mask in order to protect other players and team staff, you should be fined. Absolutely, 100%.
Of course, I had questions about how this would work for the OEM, so I contacted the MLB. From the MLB manual on the subject:
The duties of the compliance officer (s) include:
• In hotels on the road, the compliance officer (or his delegate) is responsible for monitoring public areas of the hotel (eg restaurants, bars, fitness centers) to remind players and staff that they should not use them. Approvals.
• As per section 4.2 of the manual, the compliance officer should ensure that physical distance protocols are followed in the clubhouse (and all other restricted areas of the baseball stadium).
• The Compliance Officer must submit a weekly report to MLB that includes any violation of protocols by club staff. In addition, the club’s compliance officer must submit this report to the club’s general manager, the president of baseball operations and the club president.
• The compliance officer should interview the home and visiting club officer after each set and document any deviations from protocols by either team, as well as any suggestions for improving compliance, in his weekly report.
• The Compliance Officer must submit to the Commissioner’s office the seating chart for each flight with a certification that all members of the travel party have adhered to health and safety protocols (as outlined above and in section 7.1 of the manual) during the entire flight, including sitting and wearing face masks, and a certification that all members of the traveling party were essential to play games.
• The Compliance Officer must address the entire Traveler before each road trip to remind them of the protocol requirements during the trip and after arrival at the hotel.
• The Compliance Officer must certify to the Commissioner’s office that staff and players who self-isolate or are quarantined strictly adhere to the directions of club medical staff and the Commissioner’s office.
2. The magic runners are back!
As was the case in the 2020 season, each additional round will start with the riders in second. This is not necessarily a COVID precaution, but a launcher safety precaution. The sport is going from a 60-game season to a 162-game season, and there are legitimate concerns about how this much longer season will affect pitchers. Too many extra innings could increase the workload of the pitching teams, which is considered unnecessary. Thus, as if by magic, the runners will appear on second base from the 10th inning in order to avoid any marathon type game.
3. Seven-round games are back!
All double headers will be seven innings each, for basically the same reasons as the extra-innings rule. The goal is to limit the number of potential rounds each day. This is reasonable.
4. Three outs per round are optional this spring.
For games scheduled between February 27 and March 13, the field team manager may complete an inning earlier, provided 20 pitches have been made. The idea behind this, again, is pitcher safety. If a pitcher has to throw 20 pitches in a game as part of his training program and he reaches that limit of 20 pitches without an out, two runners and three runs have already entered, and the manager has no one ready to do it. come on, the manager can just finish the round. Spring training, especially the first few games, is all about preparing players to be ready for opening day, and having a pitcher throwing 30 shots instead of 20 could invite injury. Having to rush a lifter in action in the middle of the inning instead of starting with the clean inning could also invite injury. It just doesn’t matter, especially in early spring.
There is also this:
If you’ve ever thought spring training games were too long, you’re in for a treat.
* Games between 2 / 27-3 / 13 can be played over 5 or 7 innings, provided managers agree.
* Matches from 3/14 will be scheduled as 9 rounds but managers can agree to shorten to 7.
– Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) February 9, 2021
5. Another neutral site in October?
Athletic: “With the consent of MLBPA (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), MLB also has the right to conduct some or all of the 2021 playoffs at neutral venues (including home ball fields other clubs), or to delay the start of the playoffs in order to postpone the games of the championship season after the end of the championship season.
The word “unreasonably” allows for a good interpretation, doesn’t it? It’s impossible to know what things will look like in October, but it’s reasonable to guess that – hopefully – things could approach a semblance of normalcy. Two vaccines have already been approved and are in the process of being distributed, and Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine appears to be close. If most of the country is vaccinated in August, it stands to reason that teams could stage playoff games with supporters in the stands (capacity will depend on local rules, of course).
So maybe it’s just MLB giving itself a chance if things take an unexpected turn. Considering what happened last year, that’s smart. Maybe MLB loved the 2020 neutral venues playoffs and want it to happen again if possible. Logistically, having predetermined venues would certainly be easier for MLB. We will see how it works.
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