MLB tightens coronavirus rules, requiring masks in dugouts and compliance officers

After coronavirus outbreaks forced Major League Baseball to postpone 21 games over the first two weeks of its season, it will strengthen its protocols, including requiring players and staff to wear face coverings at all times, except for players on the field of play.

Teams were informed of the changes in a memo obtained by the Associated Press, which said they were told that repeated or flagrant violations could cause a team to be banned for the rest of the 2020 season and/or postseason.

Players are required to wear face masks while in the dugout or bullpen, something its operations manual had not stipulated before. Since games have begun, most players have not worn masks in the dugout and have been shown exchanging high fives, failing to observe social distancing and spitting. The memo also indicates that umpires must wear face masks at all times, unless they cannot do their jobs.

Each team’s compliance officer will enforce protocols, which require players and staff to wear face coverings at all times in hotels and in public places, including on team buses and airplanes. While on the road, teams were told to provide a large private room or ballroom where staff and players can get food and maintain social distancing. Players who want to leave the team hotel must get approval from their compliance officer.

Teams were told to provide covered outdoor spaces and to have areas where players for both teams can maintain social distance during weather delays. Players will be told to use those areas rather than hanging out in clubhouses.

MLB, Fanatics to manufacture masks and gowns using jersey material

Major League Baseball (MLB) and Fanatics are partnering to manufacture hospital gowns and protective masks with the same fabric used to produce jerseys to bolster the supply needed to fight the coronavirus, the two businesses announced Thursday.

Fanatics, the company that makes MLB jerseys, is converting its manufacturing center in Easton, Pa., to a production center for the personal protective gear hospital workers have been clamoring for as the virus spreads. MLB and Fanatics will cover all costs associated with the endeavor, they said.

“We hope this effort can play a part in coming together as a community to help us through this challenging situation,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.

Fanatics will produce up to 1 million masks and gowns and distribute them throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, the latter of which has been the epicenter of the outbreak in the U.S.

The company is making its first batch of masks and gowns using materials typically used to make jerseys for the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees. Other team jersey materials will be featured as production expands.[url=https://www.mlbfacecoverings.com/buffalo-bills/]Boston Red Sox Face Coverings[/url]

Otis Nixon, Twins, 1998: Nixon played for 10 teams over 17 years, including a one-season stopover in Minnesota, where he wore an unusual mask that was sort of football-based, but there was more to it than that. He is, to Uni Watch's knowledge, the last MLB player to wear anything approaching a football-style mask on the field.

Major League Baseball (MLB) will make its return. NIH’s very own Dr. Anthony Fauci will toss out the first pitch in Washington DC. Will he be wearing his now famous Washington Nationals face mask?

Yeah, NASCAR, the WWE, the PBA, the PGA, professional volleyball and soccer leagues both here and across the “pond” are now finding some wiggle room to perform live. All attempts are just that, attempts at recreating what once was, so that now at least those sporting venues can be used surrounded by a visible void of fans.

The NBA has its Magic Kingdom arena bubble in Orlando. They will join the fray within the next two weeks without fans.

The NFL has canceled the shortened preseason scheduled for August as the full season is now in jeopardy. They, the owners, players and fans, all await the pandemic performance scores from the MLB 60 game season.

Can the MLB make it work with or without Canada? Can the NFL safely put on the field 32 competitive teams along with a newly minted mascot in DC? All very good questions, with no definitive answers at this time.[url=https://www.mlbfacecoverings.com/green-bay-packers/]Kansas City Royals Face Coverings[/url]

Most other players who've added extra facial protection to their helmets have worn the basic (and rather boring-looking) plastic attachments we're now used to seeing. A partial list of such players includes Marlon Byrd, Mike Devereaux, Chase Headley, Jason Heyward, David Justice, Terrence Long, Kevin Seitzer and Terry Steinbach, among many others.[url=https://www.mlbfacecoverings.com/pittsburgh-steelers/]Tampa Bay Rays Face Coverings[/url]