Baseball is coming back with changes

As many of us continue to deal with slow or intermittent internet issues, dropped cell phone coverage and many other aspects of the ramped-up pace of working remotely, did we ever consider that COVID-19 would cause us to become more fractured and divided instead of bringing us closer together?

Combine that with the riots and demonstrations around the nation and we would seem to have all that is necessary for civil unrest. For anyone that thought this would “just blow over or through,” that is obviously wrong thinking. We are now caught up in a mess. There is just not an easy way to define what is happening.

Meanwhile, on the home front, the question seems to be, “To mask or not to mask?” as we gain confidence that we can beat the virus even as the number of positive cases continues to climb. Many claim, and it would seem to make logical sense, that with more testing will come more positive cases. Each day and each week bring more news, more “flutter” and somehow, even more confusion about COVID-19.

There will be no minor league baseball this year. But, finally, major league baseball is scheduled to start on or around July 23 or 24 – with a 60-game schedule not yet finalized. Teams will be playing the majority of those games against their division opponents and also games against their geographic counterpart – AL East vs. NL East and so on. Some players have opted out of the season with no pay – all for their own reasons. One big change – and there are many – is that all National League games will include the designated hitter. Maybe they will like this and keep it for the 2021 season.

As far as the college football season this fall, articles online and interviews with Ohio State University Athletic Director Gene Smith all point to decisions that will need to made in early to mid-July for a season to start taking shape. Schedules being paramount and of course, how the season will be played. What happens if even one player tests positive? What happens if one starting offensive line player tests positive on a Monday following a Saturday game? Or defensive line for that matter?

We all know that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, interact, shop and work. We are all wondering how long this will continue to impact us – will it be from here on – or will we be able to resume some sense of normalcy particularly when a vaccine is developed?

The state of Arizona is dealing with a huge spike in COVID-19 cases – with nearly 4,900 new cases reported on a single day last week.

Here’s hoping everyone had a very enjoyable Fourth of July holiday, stayed safe, ate some great food and spent time with your loved ones.

Category: Mark's Musings, Opinion