Most teams in the MLB have now been in spring training for about a week. This has been the first glimpse of the new normal for them this season.
It was one thing to hear about the rules and guidelines, but another thing all together putting them into practice. Social distancing is not how these players were taught to interact with one another.
MLB players discussed some of the strangest rules they have to follow.
“Not giving people high-fives,” Chicago Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber said to a Zoom room of reporters wearing masks. “In baseball, you’re used to patting someone on the back or butt or whatever it is. Now you’re trying to respect everyone’s (space).”
Even more than high fives, it has been customary in baseball to have some cool handshakes with teammates. After a home run, what are fans going to see on TV this year? Air hugs?
Forgetting the Rules
These athletes have been playing one way their entire life, and they are probably going to forget the guidelines from time to time. Players might return to old habits without even thinking about it.
“That’s going to be tough for everyone,” Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner said. “It’s just almost second nature. Spitting for a pro baseball player is like blinking. It’s going to be a tough habit to break.
“It’s not even just spitting on the ground. A lot of us have routines and habits. You spit a little bit on your glove before each pitch.”
Fans reacted to some of these rules and thought they were a bit silly when the KBO set them in place. Now many of the same precautions are set in place for the MLB.
A Different Feel
Players and coaches have to manage how many people are in specific areas at a time. Only a certain amount of people can be snagging pop-flies or sit in the trainer’s room at any given time.
“I feel like we’re back in high school, waiting for the bell to sound before we can go to the next class,” Chicago White Sox pitcher Steve Cishek joked.
There’s no doubt that the majority of these players enjoy being able to play, but the rules have been a lot to manage. But at least the season is in motion.
“It’s just great to be back with everyone,” Schwarber said. “That’s the biggest thing. Getting back to the work, getting back to that grind. That’s overriding all this other stuff that makes it weird.”
Sitting at their homes for quarantine has been a struggle for guys who are used to a full eight months playing ball. It’s better to have more rules than to cancel the season.
As the country is starting to have to follow certain rules, such as wearing a mask, these players have said how this is an opportunity to set an example. Maybe abiding by these rules means fans can see a full season in 2020 without many coronavirus cases.
