Amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has changed alot of things in sports worldwide, Major League Baseball unveiled plans this week that would salvage at least part of a season and the National Football League also announced despite being late that it would release their full season schedule next week on May 9.
MLB is optimistic that they could begin the regular season without fans in late June, and the latest July 2 with at least 100 games. The league would change over to a three division format with 10 teams in each, abolishing the classic American League and National League and instead placing the teams together based on geography. Teams would play games only within their division, and that idea is gaining support from owners and executives.
The plan is pending approval of medical experts, and providing that COVID-19 testing is available to the public. It would eliminate the need for players to live in isolation, and allow them to play in their own home ballparks while severely reducing travel. It is too early to get into the exact details officials warned, as new ones are floated around each week. It is also unknown at this time whether or not teams would have to begin their seasons in Arizona, Texas, and Florida for several weeks before they could return to their home stadiums. The thought is to try to squeeze in 100-110 games, with perhaps having thousands of fans in attendance in the playoffs or maybe even before the end of the regular season. Below is the proposed realignment for the 2020 season:
East- Boston, NY Yankees, NY Mets, Washington, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Miami, Toronto
West- LA Dodgers, LA Angels, San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle, Arizona, San Diego, Colorado, Texas, Houston
Central- Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Minnesota, Atlanta, Detroit
According to league spokesman Brian McCarthy, the NFL is still at this point planning to kick off their regular season on Thursday, September 10 with the Super Bowl still on schedule at the moment as well for Sunday, February 7, 2021 in Tampa, Florida.
Keep in mind however that the National Football League can still plan the season and have it be on schedule at the release, but that doesn’t mean it won’t change. When and how the country is able to return to normal activity including large gatherings could delay or shorten the season. The full schedule is expected to be released on Saturday, May 9.
Should it be delayed, the thought is starting in mid-October which would still allow for all games to be played. A longer delay could mean a shortened version or could also threaten the entire season. Training camp will need to procede any games played no matter when the season begins.
