According to multiple reports on MLB’s 67-page proposal for health and safety operating procedures, mascots are not considered essential personnel and would not be permitted at the ballpark during the 2020 season.
Here is an extensive list of what is banned in MLB stadiums according to the proposal.
- Mascots
- Bat-boys/girls
- Spitting
- Use of water jugs
- Face touching to give signs
- Finger licking
- Saunas, steam rooms, pools and cryo-chamber therapy
- Uber, Lyft Taxi services and public bus services
- Eating at restaurants in away cities
- Use of public gyms
- First and third base umpires approaching baserunners
- Lineup card exchange
- High-fives, fist bumps and hugs
- Scoreboard video
Other activities are discouraged, including showering at the facilities and going out to bars and restaurants in home cities. Players could be mandated to arrive at the ballpark already in uniform and are expected to wear masks everywhere except while on the field and while working out. All lockers have to be six feet apart. The next day’s starting pitcher is not allowed to sit in the dugout.
Only five players are allowed to work out at a time during the first phase of spring training, which is when pitchers and catchers arrive. When position players arrive, small groups are encouraged. There will be a limited number of exhibition games. Those that are staged in spring training facilities will have start times of either 7 p.m. or 9 p.m.
Personnel at ballparks are set to be extremely limited and are broken up into tiers based on how often they need to be tested. Tier 1 includes players, coaches and athletic trainers. Tier 2 includes clubhouse, public relations, front office, video, league staff and translators. Tier 3 includes broadcast staff and other personnel that does not interact with players. Tier 1 and Tier 2 staff will be tested for Coronavirus multiple times a week. Rosters are set to 50 apiece according to the plan. The amount of active players per game is so far unclear.
Deputy commissioner Dan Halem emphasized that these protocols are all a part of a first draft and “will undergo several rounds of changes as we collect comments and suggestions from the clubs, the players’ association, players, and government officials.”
How much money would the Phillies lose if players are paid their pro-rated salaries?
According to a report from Ronald Blum of the Associated Press, the league believes it will lose an average of $640,000 for each game played over an 82-game season with no fans and players paid their pro-rated salaries.
This comes from a May 12 report titled “Economics of Playing Without Fans in Attendance” from the league. MLB also charted out each team’s Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) with empty stadiums and pro-rates salaries:
According to the assessment, the Phillies are ranked 10th in EBITDA losses, ahead of the Atlanta Braves (ninth), Washington Nationals (eighth) and New York Mets (third). The exact figure for the Phillies is not known but according to the figures that are known, it is less than $188 million. The Boston Red Sox, who are ranked fifth in losses, are projected to lose $188 million according to the AP report. Judging by the look of the chart, it is somewhere around $160 million.
Phillies, Citizens Bank and Philabundance to hold virtual food drive
The Phillies have teamed up with Citizens Bank and Philabundance to host the Phans Feeding Families Hunger Relief Program. The announcement was made this past Friday with the drive kicking off with a $40,000 donation from Citizens Bank Mid-Atlantic President Daniel K. Fitzpatrick. The goal is to raise $75,000.
Program ambassador Aaron Nola was featured in the public service announcement. You can donate to the cause through June 1 by visiting Philadbundance’s website:
Phillies helping the community: Kevin Frandsen
Watch: Scott Kingery faces Trevor Bauer, Bryce Harper in the cage
This might be a cause for concern.
Anyway, Bryce Harper’s swing looks like it is in mid-season form:
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