This year's World Series will begin Oct. 20 and take place at the Rangers' new Globe Life FieldGETTY IMAGES
MLB reached an agreement with the MLBPA on a bubble plan that includes "stern protocols beginning Sept. 22 throughout the World Series," according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY. Per the agreement reached yesterday, players on contending teams, even those who are playing home games next week, are "required to stay at hotels without their families for a week, unless receiving a special exemption." They will be "prevented from leaving their homes -- or the hotel property -- under all circumstances, unless traveling to the ballpark." There also will be 24-hour hotel security to "assure that no one violates the health and safety protocols." The postseason "will be played in 'bubble' environments at four neutral sites in Southern California and Texas." The World Series will begin Oct. 20 at Globe Life Field. With no plane travel required, the first three rounds -- up until the World Series -- "will have no off days." The postseason begins Sept. 29 in the AL, and a day later for the NL. MLB and the MLBPA are "hoping that the dramatically reduced travel ... minimizes the chance of a coronavirus outbreak" (USA TODAY, 9/16).
RISK MANAGEMENT: In N.Y., Joel Sherman notes the bubble plan was the "most difficult detail that needed to be worked out" between the two parties. Some players "fought against the concept," but MLB "strongly expressed a fear of coming this far and not concluding the playoffs and pushed hard for the safest possible protocols to finish out the year." The postseason is worth nearly $1B to MLB (N.Y. POST, 9/16).
TIME WILL TELL: In Ft. Worth, Jeff Wilson notes it is still to be determined whether fans "will be allowed to attend the games in Arlington," a decision that will ultimately be made by MLB after consulting its health experts. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said that he "hopes to have fans for the NLCS and World Series, which could total 14 games and potentially for 280,000 fans" (Ft. Worth STAR-TELEGRAM, 9/16). Meanwhile, Manfred said that the expanded, 16-team postseason is "likely to remain" beyond '20. He added that "'an overwhelming majority' of owners had already endorsed the concept before the pandemic." Manfred: "There’s a lot to commend it, and it is one of those changes I hope will become a permanent part of our landscape" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/16).
