America’s Pastime in the Age of Coronavirus

“Embodying much of the American spirit, baseball once again finds itself on the frontline, being utilized for political gains, with any rebuke of the MLB’s return likely to be chalked up as un-American or—worse still—shouted down as a commie act.”

For many Americans and international fans alike, spring means baseball. However, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the bleachers remain empty and the light beers—like the 2020 Major League Baseball (MLB) season—remain on ice.

With an early July start date for the regular season considered to be the best-case scenario, the MLB has also been forced to cancel its United Kingdom-based exhibition series between Cardinals and Cubs, which was scheduled to take place from June 13th to 14th. As the MLB staff, like many, endures this indefinite hiatus, the Commissioner of Baseball, Rob Manfred, and his team of executives have vowed to explore every option as they “turn over every stone to try to play.”

As the organization’s dogged search for a solution continues, it seems increasingly likely that the so-dubbed “three-state plan” is going to be the governing body’s preferred route. Such a proposal would see each team quarantined at one of three hubs (Florida, Arizona, or Texas), with clubs playing out their regular season at the local major and minor league ballparks. As part of the plan, no fans would be allowed to attend the games, and all players would be subject to weekly testing as precaution. If confirmed, the plan would provide a much welcomed return of America’s pastime for many fans and possibly the American economy.