MLB, Union Considering Plan To Play All Games In Arizona: Report
PHOENIX, AZ — Major League Baseball and its players are considering the possibility of starting their season with all teams playing at closed facilities in the Arizona area, according to reports from multiple media outlets late Monday night.
The plan, which has reportedly been "embraced" by MLB leadership and the MLB Players Association, could allow the season to start as early as May.
The Arizona plan would see all 30 MLB teams play in fields scattered across the greater Phoenix area with no fans in attendance, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The facilities would include Arizona Diamondbacks' Chase Field in Phoenix, 10 spring training fields and possibly other nearby locations.
Players, coaching staff and other essential personnel would stay at local hotels and would live in relative isolation, traveling only to and from the stadium, sources told ESPN.
Reportedly, federal officials at the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention as well as the National Institutes of Heath have showed support for a plan that would adhere to strict isolation, promote social distancing and allow the MLB to become the first professional sport to return in North America.
On March 12, Major League Baseball suspended the play of all spring training games and pushed back the date for Opening Day from March 26 to mid-April. A few days later, the start of the season was pushed back indefinitely.
The MLB released a statement Tuesday mentioning that while the one-location plan has been considered, it's far from a sure thing.
"MLB has been actively considering numerous contingency plans that would allow play to commence once the public health situation has improved to the point that it is safe to do so," the MLB statement said. "While we have discussed the idea of staging games at one location as one potential option, we have not settled on that option or developed a detailed plan. While we continue to interact regularly with governmental and public health officials, we have not sought or received approval of any plan from federal, state and local officials, or the Players Association."
According to ESPN, a collection of MLB officials still think a June Opening Day is more realistic. The most important element for the May start date is coronavirus testing for players and staff that would not adversely affect the public's access to testing.
This article originally appeared on the Phoenix Patch
