Sports
Atlanta Braves, MLB, Eyeing Possible Start To Season: Report
A plan for 2020 baseball, which reportedly has the support of federal officials, would mean the most unique season in Braves history.
ATLANTA, GA — The Atlanta Braves and Major League Baseball are reportedly working on a plan that would see a return to the field as early as May, an idea that would allow America's Pastime to become the first professional sport to return amid the coronavirus crisis. ESPN reported the plan "has the support of high-ranking federal public health officials" and would likely be the most unique season in baseball history.
The plan would see all 30 teams play in fields scattered across the greater Phoenix area. Players, coaches and team personnel "would live in relative isolation" at hotels. That means the Braves' home games all would be in Arizona.
If everything goes right, MLB could begin play in May or June, ESPN reported. The most important requirement for a return to play would be a robust COVID-19 testing process with a quick turnaround that would not adversely affect the public's access to testing.
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A 2020 season would stand alone for a number of reasons: the games would be played with no fans — the players would sparsely populate the stands instead of dugouts — while an electronic strike zone would be used to keep umpires far enough from players.
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The season would also feature a number of seven-inning doubleheaders to get close to the usual 162 games, despite the late start.
Until that happens, the Braves will continue airing past games on their social media outlets. On Wednesday, perhaps the Braves' greatest game ever will be re-aired: the 1974 game in which Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run, breaking Babe Ruth's record.
Opening Day was scheduled to be March 26, but two weeks before MLB shut down spring training and indefinitely delayed the start of the season.
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