Reusse: Can Catchers be kept Safe during the outbreak?

[Seth Stohs]

   https://www.startribune.com/can-baseball-keep-catchers-safe-at-home-in-an-outbreak/570451492/

 

 

Patrick Reusse asks a legit question during this time... The key to any return of baseball is being able to keep the players safe. 

 

He talked to catchers such as Dan and Eli Wilson, Mike Redmond and others, including Joe Mauer who said,

 

 

 

“You can’t avoid close proximity as a catcher,” Mauer said. “You’re touching everything — figuratively, as far as being in on every pitch, and literally … baseballs coming from pitchers, fielders and umpires.

“I don’t think catchers are going to want to have a bottle of hand sanitizer taped on them so they take a splash every time they handle a baseball.

 

[Nine of twelve]

Just the latest example of the many obstacles MLB needs to overcome in order to play games this summer. It all comes down to keeping everyone (EVERY ONE!) separated from the virus. Can it be done? Well, in theory, yes. But, as my son once said: In theory, in theory and in practice are always the same. However, in practice, in theory and in practice are rarely the same.

[Tomj14]

So having 30 people in a the partially enclosed dugout is fine, but 3 people next to home plate isn't?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Just the latest example of the many obstacles MLB needs to overcome in order to play games this summer. It all comes down to keeping everyone (EVERY ONE!) separated from the virus. Can it be done? Well, in theory, yes. But, as my son once said: In theory, in theory and in practice are always the same. However, in practice, in theory and in practice are rarely the same.

 

Can you repeat the part about the stuff? Ha!!

 

But yes, there will be a lot of risks involved.

[Doctor Gast]

The electronic strike zone will help. One great thing about catchers is that they will tackle this as they do w/ all challenges w/ grit. Pray that they won`t get the virus & if so it`d be mild.

[Squirrel]

 

So having 30 people in a the partially enclosed dugout is fine, but 3 people next to home plate isn't?

I think the point might be, if it's not safe for 3 people at home plate, how is it safe for 30 people in a dugout?

[SomeGuy]

 

I think the point might be, if it's not safe for 3 people at home plate, how is it safe for 30 people in a dugout?

 

The entire stadium will be empty, I think they can find room for each team to spread out.

[SomeGuy]

The odds of catching the virus have to be so much higher doing ordinary daily essential activity than catching it from the surface of a briefly held baseball where everyone is being constantly tested.  They will never get to zero risk, it comes down to do you want to go to work and make money with a small chance of catching/spreading it or sit this season out and possibly next season.  Even if an outbreak does occur, there are no fans so each game exposes what, a hundred people at most?  Ask the local cashier making $10 per hour how much they care that you have to throw and catch a baseball.

 

“I don’t think catchers are going to want to have a bottle of hand sanitizer taped on them so they take a splash every time they handle a baseball."

 

Don't touch your face between every pitch!

[ashbury]

The entire stadium will be empty, I think they can find room for each team to spread out.

At least the beer vendors won't have to make the long climb up to my usual seat in the upper, upper deck. Oh wait, they never come up there anyway.

 

[Nine of twelve]

 

The odds of catching the virus have to be so much higher doing ordinary daily essential activity than catching it from the surface of a briefly held baseball where everyone is being constantly tested.  They will never get to zero risk, it comes down to do you want to go to work and make money with a small chance of catching/spreading it or sit this season out and possibly next season.  Even if an outbreak does occur, there are no fans so each game exposes what, a hundred people at most?  Ask the local cashier making $10 per hour how much they care that you have to throw and catch a baseball.

 

“I don’t think catchers are going to want to have a bottle of hand sanitizer taped on them so they take a splash every time they handle a baseball."

 

Don't touch your face between every pitch!

Touching the baseball is only a small part of the problem. I think what's more problematic is being in close proximity to every player from the other team and the home plate umpire. 

[OldTimeTwinkie]

What are the first baseman going to do when they have to keep social distancing when they have a man on first they can't visit with them anymore

[ashbury]

What are the first baseman going to do when they have to keep social distancing when they have a man on first they can't visit with them anymore

"Go ahead, take your lead, then we'll talk. Nah, nah, you could go farther than that. Just a little farther."

 

[4twinsJA]

Everyone will be tested multiple times a week, so chance to be exposed to someone positive on the field is very small. I agree with "some guy", there is more chance to get exposed to virus going to get your groceries than likelihood of a MLB player getting exposed playing baseball. I am fine with if some players opt to not play, but let the others play. There will already be an asterisk on this season.

[Shaitan]

Queue the "Mauer is fragile" comments...

[Shaitan]

 

Don't touch your face between every pitch!

 

Then how will third base coaches relay signals!

 

https://youtu.be/p0UxTe76Vmk

[Tomj14]

 

Then how will third base coaches relay signals!

 

https://youtu.be/p0UxTe76Vmk

they could try banging on garbage cans in the dugout or may some sort of technology that would give them a little shock?

[Trov]

The key to keeping players 100% safe is to keep COVID out.  The only way you do that is have screen in testing then isolate.  Since players are not willing to fully isolate, which I do not blame them, then you take next best step and to screen as much as possible.  However, it is still very likely it will get into someone and spread to rest.  The odds are none of the players will have any major issues other than having to step away for two weeks.  Most people that have major issues have underlying medical conditions.  However, where the real risk comes in is the spread to family who may have those conditions, or the spread to others.  

 

We cannot live life without risk.  When Blake Snell says he is risking his life, that is a bit over the top, as he would most likely not have sever reaction to it, but he could.  However, the risk of spreading to others that may not be an in shape athlete.  

 

 

[yarnivek1972]

https://www.startribune.com/can-baseball-keep-catchers-safe-at-home-in-an-outbreak/570451492/

 

 

Patrick Reusse asks a legit question during this time... The key to any return of baseball is being able to keep the players safe.

 

He talked to catchers such as Dan and Eli Wilson, Mike Redmond and others, including Joe Mauer who said,

Not to mention that sanitizer on a baseball is likely considered a foreign substance that would result in unexpected movement of the ball.

[SomeGuy]

 

Then how will third base coaches relay signals!

 

https://youtu.be/p0UxTe76Vmk

The 3rd base coach shouldn't be touching the ball anyway.  He can touch his face all he wants IMO.

[SomeGuy]

The virus has really taken the wind out of my baseball sails. A half season with new divisions just doesn't sound that appealing. I will always have to look at this season as a special case where the World Series doesn't hold as much clout or even count. At this point I hope they totally blow it up with a once in a lifetime season.  Do like a short season then an all 30 team playoff or something ridiculous.

[SomeGuy]

 

Touching the baseball is only a small part of the problem. I think what's more problematic is being in close proximity to every player from the other team and the home plate umpire. 

Which they won't be able to get away from unless they just say see ya next year.

[Number3]

Catchers already wear a mask so they should be fine. I suggest that everyone simply stop breathing. We have become a bunch of wimps scared of their own shadow. Lunatics truly are running the asylum. Fill the parks and play ball.

[rdehring]

There will be less close contact in an entire 82-game baseball season then there was by similar aged men and women in Minneapolis these past several days.  We will know within 10-days or so whether they have anything to worry about.  If there isn't a huge spike in cases in the Twin Cities next week...let's play ball. 

[Yossarian]

As long as they're not playing in a nursing home, their chances of catching Covid-19 are pretty small....

[nicksaviking]

As long as they're not playing in a nursing home, their chances of catching Covid-19 are pretty small....

Are you suggesting Covid somehow just magically manifests in nursing homes? How do you think it gets there in the first place?

 

I think there's a baseball/Covid slogan in here somewhere. "Catchers aren't the only one's who need to wear masks"?

 

I bet someone can do better.

[Tomj14]

 

Are you suggesting Covid somehow just magically manifests in nursing homes? How do you think it gets there in the first place?

 

I think there's a baseball/Covid slogan in here somewhere. "Catchers aren't the only one's who need to wearing masks"?

 

I bet someone can do better.

I hope the poster means a chance of dying, because anybody can get it, it is just the odds are way worse for people in nursing homes or long term care.

[Yossarian]

 

Are you suggesting Covid somehow just magically manifests in nursing homes? How do you think it gets there in the first place?

I think there's a baseball/Covid slogan in here somewhere. "Catchers aren't the only one's who need to wear masks"?

I bet someone can do better.

I'm not suggesting anything other than if one is worried about contracting Covid-19 in Minnesota, then it's far more likely you'll get it by visiting a Minnesota nursing home than at Target Field.  Reusse, for one, almost always can do better.