When we get baseball again, what will baseball be?

[Road Pop]

For people who don't click the article, this is really great news, if true, because it means a vaccine would be long lasting, like the measles vaccine.

Copied:

There are only about four to 10 genetic differences between the strains that have infected people in the United States and the original virus that spread in Wuhan, he said.

That’s a relatively small number of mutations for having passed through a large number of people,” Thielen said. “At this point, the mutation rate of the virus would suggest that the vaccine developed for SARS-CoV-2 would be a single vaccine, rather than a new vaccine every year like the flu vaccine.”

[RedEye]

Never mind the fact that the virus mutates every time it goes from one host to another. Six months from now, it's likely we are looking at a different version of the virus. There already are multiple versions.

The research so far actually suggest that this is not a quickly mutating virus, and that the idea of their being “several versions” is not supported beyond anecdotal evidence.

Obviously, we are a long way from figuring it out, but the theory of rapid mutation leading to a lethal second wave — so far — looks unlikely.


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[BCubb2003]

Suppose it’s possible to have most of a season this year but it would mean playing throughout November. Is it possible to schedule those games in the South and in domes? Would that distort the matchups too much? Does the math work? Not so great for Northern fans, but they’d still have a season.

[NebraskaRed]

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/m...f1G2tzH2Ly3xNA

Per a report: Early June is possible. Regular double-headers.

[CaiGuy]

Regular double-headers.

[BCubb2003]

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/m...f1G2tzH2Ly3xNA

Per a report: Early June is possible. Regular double-headers.

Best-case scenario, I suppose, but still possible. Worst-case is this, about the huge soccer match in Bergamo, Italy.

https://apnews.com/ae59cfc0641fc63afd09182bb832ebe2

[M2]

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/m...f1G2tzH2Ly3xNA

Per a report: Early June is possible. Regular double-headers.

Running the regular season into October seems like a potential flaw in the plan. There is the possibility we're back to social distancing in the fall (and that's assuming we'll be fully away from it during the summer). Obviously we're concerned about when/if they can start the season, but they need to put equal consideration into making sure they can finish the season.

[Wonderful Monds]

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/m...f1G2tzH2Ly3xNA

Per a report: Early June is possible. Regular double-headers.

I’d be surprised if June were still in the cards if for no other reason than I can’t see spring training starting at the beginning of May being super realistic. I think we’ll be at the point where we’re slowly getting back to normal by then, but I can’t see crowds as big as an entire organization that you’d have for spring training being likely at that point.

- - - Updated - - -

Here’s the dumbest suggestion yet: make spring training part of the regular season.

[Tuff Nut]

If/ when the season is resumed, what about having the All-Star Game to kick things off?

[westofyou]

If/ when the season is resumed, what about having the All-Star Game to kick things off?

https://theathletic.com/1698008/2020...elayed-season/

Start the season with the All-Star Game
Looking to capture people’s attention? You can’t beat this idea. Follow the blueprint baseball followed after the strike in 1981. Get your stars together. Then restart your season with the All-Star Game.

This idea was thrown out there by an agent recently after Adam Silver suggested the NBA might try to find a way to play some sort of All-Star exhibition to give people something to watch in these difficult times. Whenever baseball resumes in midsummer, this agent said, “baseball should play the All-Star Game on Opening Day.”

His logic is sound: So much of the value of Fox’s TV deal centers around the All-Star Game and the postseason that obviously, the network would be highly motivated to drive this idea. And even though it couldn’t be a normal All-Star Game, with selections based on a season that never happened, that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible.

A lot of questions would come attached, of course. What would the sport do about All-Star incentive clauses? How would they pick these teams? Would there be a Home Run Derby? Would it even be right to look at this as the official 2020 All-Star Game? But one of the big objections the schedule-makers might have — that there would be no time for an All-Star “break” when there were so few days remaining to play what’s left of the season — could be addressed by following the model laid down in 1981.

This was how the ’81 season resumed after the strike: A mini-spring training. Then the All-Star Game on a Sunday night. Then the season resumed the next day! So there was no All-Star “break.” There was just a major “Event” (with a capital E) to welcome baseball back. And after months with no sports, everyone will need one of those star-studded “Events” this year more than ever. They could even call it “the All ‘Start’ Game,” quipped one TV executive.

[NeilHamburger]

If they do end up playing in front of no fans I hope they get innovative with some stuff. Watching the Orioles/Sox game played in front of no fans isn't fun. But, I would suggest doing something like the NBA does during their games now. They play music during fast breaks to give the game energy. I hope MLB will do stuff like that.

[westofyou]

If they do end up playing in front of no fans I hope they get innovative with some stuff. Watching the Orioles/Sox game played in front of no fans isn't fun. But, I would suggest doing something like the NBA does during their games now. They play music during fast breaks to give the game energy. I hope MLB will do stuff like that.

[DocRed]

Double headers would be great. Just increase the roster size to 30 or something.

[blumj]

Who plays in the All Start game last season's all stars?

[dougdirt]

Who plays in the All Start game last season's all stars?

When you know what day the event will be held - and it'll be weeks an advance - just hold a fan vote online. Let them decide.