The three professional sports leagues that should be returning to play soon seem to be facing a very uncertain time in light of the newest outbreaks of COVID-19.
Recent spikes in outbreaks reported in Florida has effected training facilities of five Major League baseball teams and one from the National Hockey League. As reported Friday, five players and three staff members tested positive for coronavirus at the Philadelphia Phillies spring training facility in Clearwater, Florida. That facility is now closed indefinitely. Down the road just a couple miles the Toronto Blue Jays spring training home in Dunedin had to also be closed, due to one of the pitchers on the 40 man roster coming down with symptoms. That pitcher had previously spent time in the Phillies minor league system. Other teams that have been effected include one player from the Houston Astros and two from the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, and also the New York Yankees had several staff members test positive on Saturday afternoon.
The Phillies released this statement concerning the outbreak:
Phillies are confirming that five players and three staff members working at the club’s Clearwater facility have tested positive for COVID-19. The first confirmed case occurred this past Tuesday, June 16. In addition, eight staff members have tested negative for the virus, while 12 staff members and 20 players (both major league and minor league players) living in the Clearwater area are in the process of being tested and are awaiting the results of those tests.
Managing Partner John Middleton said, “The Phillies are committed to the health and welfare of our players, coaches and staff as our highest priority, and as a result of these confirmed tests, all facilities in Clearwater have been closed indefinitely to all players, coaches and staff and will remain closed until medical authorities are confident that the virus is under control and our facilities are disinfected.”
In terms of the implications of this outbreak on the Phillies’ 2020 season, the club declines comment, believing that it is too early to know.
MLB does not even have an agreement with the MLBPA at this point anyhow, as the two sides have gone back and forth on numbers of games to be played and also the amount that will be paid out. This uptake in cases of coronavirus may spell the end for a chance at a 2020 season all together.
The NBA was planning to resume their season at Walt Disney World resort with eight more regular season games for 22 teams and then the playoffs, but the greater Orlando area has been struck with over 7,000 new cases in the past two days. The league was planning a training camp to begin July 19th and the season to resume July 30, but the realistic look at this is not good either.
The NHL was going to head into the playoffs July 30 at one of six or seven “hub” cities it was considering, but Fridays word was the Tampa Bay Lightning training facility in Florida had one player and several staff test positive. With player safety and well being at the forefront the professional sports leagues that planned to return may not return after all. Stay tuned!
