# MLB 2020 Spring training thread starts here **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [February 19, 2020, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172 "2020-02-19T14:56:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mike\_Mabes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mike_mabes/32/1782_2.png) [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/21 "2020-03-02T19:44:32Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Eagerly anticipating the next season-ending Yoenis Cespedes injury. > > What will it be this time? A catastrophic zipline break? Attack by rabid chihuahuas? > > My money’s on a head-on outfield collision with the [utterly useless](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/tim-tebow-stumbles-falls-while-trying-to-catch-the-final-out-of-mets-spring-training-game/) Tim Tebow. > > At least the Mets have a surfeit of sort-of competent outfielders. I’m pretty sure no one has ever come back from surgery on both heels at the same time (well a couple of months apart), but what about just one heel? Any precedent in MLB? Because it is believed that his problems with his legs were caused by the problems in his heels. In any case not counting on him this year, but he is looking good in the clips I have seen. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/22 "2020-03-02T19:56:24Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The Tim Tebow thing just continues to mystify me. The Mets - even the METS - know he will never be a competent professional baseball player. WTF is going on? You’d think by now the novelty would have worn off. I’d think his teammates would be angry that’s he’s taking playing time and a minor league slot away from legitimate players. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/23 "2020-03-10T05:15:20Z")
Been really enjoying the Spring games. Folks auditioning for a leap into the big leagues. You folks get out. More than I. Seeing Spring training games have always been on my bucket list. And I am sure some of you have been there. What is it like? Being up close and personal with the games stars? Ballpark food any good? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/24 "2020-03-10T05:57:54Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Been really enjoying the Spring games. Folks auditioning for a leap into the big leagues. > > You folks get out. More than I. Seeing Spring training games have always been on my bucket list. And I am sure some of you have been there. What is it like? Being up close and personal with the games stars? Ballpark food any good? I’ve been to spring training in both AZ and FL. Probably won’t be going again anytime soon. It used to be cheap and fun, it’s expensive as fuck now with prices almost at MLB level. Arizona used to be good since the ballparks were relatively close, now they’re scattered into far off suburbs. But, in the good old days, I found myself taking a leak right next to Tommy Lasorda. And I stood next to Sparky Anderson as he smoked a Winston and we got to talk for a half inning. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2020, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/25 "2020-03-10T20:42:05Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Been really enjoying the Spring games. Folks auditioning for a leap into the big leagues. > > You folks get out. More than I. Seeing Spring training games have always been on my bucket list. And I am sure some of you have been there. What is it like? Being up close and personal with the games stars? Ballpark food any good? I just got back from spring training in Arizona on Saturday. I made it out to 4 games in 4 parks. The experience varies wildly. My parents got there a day early, and headed to the Royals game early to try to catch batting practice. They didn’t see much, but did get to chat a little with Rex Hudler, the color commentator for the local TV broadcasts, who they love. As for ticket prices, do NOT purchase tickets from the stadium unless you’re getting a high-demand game (like the Dodgers-Giants game). A Royals-Rockies 1:00pm game on a Thursday set me back $14 on StubHub 10 minutes before first pitch, and I was 5 rows behind the catcher. But the Dodgers-Giants game was $35/ticket. It all completely depends. The Friday afternoon game was pretty full, and I imagine weekend tickets aren’t at much of a discount. There are very few bad seats in any of the stadiums. Both Camelback (Dodgers/White Sox facility) and Salt River Fields (Diamondbacks/Rockies facility) are top-notch stadiums, and I recommend visiting them. I didn’t get to go to the Reds/Indians, Cubs, Brewers, As, or Angels stadiums. But it was a lot of fun, and I recommend it. If there’s a team you follow, go there - batting practice is open in the morning, and it’s cool being in the area. We didn’t get to see many stars (to be fair, the Royals don’t HAVE many stars these days), but I recognized a number of minor league names that should be moving through the system soon. My uncle went to the Dodgers practice a couple times, and managed to hawk some balls and see some of their stars (which they have in spades). The gameplay is also a mixed bag. Every team is required to have at least 4 regular season players on the lineup card, but that quickly changes by the 4th inning. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/26 "2020-03-12T19:21:25Z")
MLB just announced that they are delaying Opening Day by at least two weeks. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/27 "2020-03-12T19:32:00Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > MLB just announced that they are delaying Opening Day by at least two weeks. I was expecting something like this. Buys them time to keep evaluating the situation. It was either delay or play at empty stadiums. The NBA’s incident with a player getting the Coronavirus probably convinced them to not play. How do they stay ready for the season though? Extended Spring Training doesn’t really reduce the risk to players vs. playing the games at empty stadiums. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/28 "2020-03-12T19:37:46Z")
Evidently [no organized Spring Training](https://sportsnaut.com/2020/03/report-mlb-to-suspend-start-of-2020-season-due-to-coronavirus/), either. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/29 "2020-03-12T20:02:37Z")
Huh, this doesn’t seem to make a ton of sense. Its not like players are that close together unless we’re talking about the first baseman with a runner on first. and even then they are outside in the sun so it’s about a safe as any two people could be. The dugout is obviously worse but it seems like that is still manageable. Either way this is going to be a weird season. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/30 "2020-03-12T20:34:24Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > Its not like players are that close together unless we’re talking about the first baseman with a runner on first. and even then they are outside in the sun so it’s about a safe as any two people could be. The dugout is obviously worse but it seems like that is still manageable. Locker rooms (especially in spring training facilities with lots of additional players who won’t be on the Major League roster on Opening Day), showers, contact with athletic trainers and masseurs, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/31 "2020-03-12T21:00:28Z")
> [@Ponch8](#): > > Locker rooms (especially in spring training facilities with lots of additional players who won’t be on the Major League roster on Opening Day), showers, contact with athletic trainers and masseurs, etc. Right but the spring training facilities and extra players could both be solved by ending spring training and have nothing to do with delaying the season. Contact with trainers and masseurs has more to do with team policies. They could certainly institute the same policies that healthcare providers are using to prevent the spread of disease and honestly they could probably do more then your local hospital. If anything more people are going to be infected in the next month and things will get worse. I get not having fans but at this point they are more likely to cancel the season in a month then say sure its ok to get the players back together. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2020, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/32 "2020-03-12T21:20:02Z")
> [@](#): > > MLB 2020 Spring training thread starts here The key word being ‘thread.’ 😛 ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/33 "2020-03-13T01:06:16Z")
The rest of MLB spring training has been canceled and the start of regular season has been delayed by at least two weeks. > **[MLB Cancels Spring Training, Delays Regular Season amid Coronavirus Concerns](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2880568-mlb-cancels-spring-training-delays-regular-season-amid-coronavirus-concerns)** > > Major League Baseball announced Thursday that it is canceling the remainder of its spring training schedule and delaying the start of its regular season by at least two weeks amid the coronavirus pandemic... ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/34 "2020-03-13T13:15:49Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > Huh, this doesn’t seem to make a ton of sense. Its not like players are that close together unless we’re talking about the first baseman with a runner on first. and even then they are outside in the sun so it’s about a safe as any two people could be. The dugout is obviously worse but it seems like that is still manageable. The fans are sure close together though. And the locker room is a great way to share germs. Perhaps more importantly, holding games encouraged travel. Fans fly to spring training games and regular season games. Cancelling games is good for social distancing. This was a smart, safe move, and it would look bad for MLB to stubbornly push ahead when pretty much every other sport is willing to take a financial hit for public safety. I love baseball more than I can possibly explain. It is literally the most enjoyable thing in my life after my family. But this delay doesn’t bother me at all, not even a little bit, on a personal level. (It is a shame that some working class people will lose paychecks, that sucks.) I am one hundred percent okay with Opening Day being delayed for the sake of slowing down COVID-19. Hell, start up on May 1. Play a 130-game season. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/35 "2020-03-13T13:53:52Z")
Just to be clear I get not having fans at the games and I think that makes a ton of sense. I just see a difference between two guys battling for a rebound and breathing on each other and a batter and catcher standing several feet away in bright sunlight. Team travel does bring up an interesting point because even in the most luxurious of private jets they are close and confined so I could see it spreading through a team more likely than between teams. Slightly related I’m surprised movies are delaying their opening rather than going straight to streaming release it seems like they could catch a large segment of the market stuck in their house with nothing to do. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/36 "2020-03-13T14:11:59Z")
\*\*So for opening day and beyond while we await the season, a list of movies to tide of over? \*\* Bull Durham Eight Men Out Field of Dreams A League of their Own Major League Pride of the Yankees Bad News Bears (original) Sand Lot The Natural 42 61\* Mr. 3000 (OK, not that great but following the number theme) The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings Damn Yankees The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg \*\*As you get more desperate: \*\* Both Angels in the Outfield. Take me Out to the Ball Game (Gene Kelly & Sinatra) It Happens Every Spring Fear Strikes Out Bang the Drum Slowly Summer Catch Cobb The Babe The Babe Ruth Story Everyone’s Hero The Slugger’s Wife The Scout Any other Bad News Bears but the original, none were really good while the original was great. The Winning Team See Ronald Reagan as Grover Cleveland Alexander, or don’t, it really isn’t a good movie. **For now, the speech from Field of Dreams** : [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SB16il97yw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SB16il97yw) **Also Babe Ruth on Baseball in his farewell**. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?time\_continue=2919&v=CGThVd9sInU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2919&v=CGThVd9sInU) > [@](#): > > You know this baseball game of ours comes up from the youth. That means the boys. > And after you’re a boy and grow up to know how to play ball, then you come to the boys you see representing themselves today in your national pastime, the only real game – I think – in the world, baseball. > > As a rule, some people think if you give them a football, or a baseball, or something like that – naturally they’re athletes right away. > > But you can’t do that in baseball. > > You’ve gotta start from way down [at] the bottom, when you’re six or seven years of age. You can’t wait until you’re fifteen or sixteen. You gotta let it grow up with you. And if you’re successful, and you try hard enough, you’re bound to come out on top – just like these boys have come to the top now. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/37 "2020-03-13T14:58:52Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > \*\*So for opening day and beyond while we await the season, a list of movies to tide of over? \*\* > > Bull Durham > Eight Men Out > Field of Dreams > A League of their Own > Major League > Pride of the Yankees > Bad News Bears (original) > Sand Lot > The Natural > 42 > 61\* > Mr. 3000 (OK, not that great but following the number theme) > The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings > Damn Yankees > The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg _Mr. Baseball_ - Selleck’s character is basically [Joe Pepitone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Pepitone) until he assimilates into the culture. > [@](#): > > \*\*As you get more desperate: \*\* > Both Angels in the Outfield. > Take me Out to the Ball Game (Gene Kelly & Sinatra) > It Happens Every Spring > Fear Strikes Out > Bang the Drum Slowly > Summer Catch > Cobb > The Babe > The Babe Ruth Story > Everyone’s Hero > The Slugger’s Wife > The Scout > Any other Bad News Bears but the original, none were really good while the original was great. > The Winning Team See Ronald Reagan as Grover Cleveland Alexander, or don’t, it really isn’t a good movie. _Major League_ sequels. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/38 "2020-03-13T15:06:42Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > _Mr. Baseball_ - Selleck’s character is basically [Joe Pepitone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Pepitone) until he assimilates into the culture. > > _Major League_ sequels. I never realized Pepitone was the inspiration for Mr. Baseball. Honestly, I’m a little young for Pep and know him from Old Timers games and bringing a hair dryer or something into the locker room in his playing days. So many great Yankees, Pep largely remains a minor footnote to me. I know more about Frank Crosetti. The Major League sequels are worthy additions to the second tier movies. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/39 "2020-03-13T15:23:10Z")
I’ve read a bit about Pep in Japan; Jack Elliot’s initial behavior captures his mentality perfectly, right down to forgetting to duck when going through doorways. ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2020, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172/40 "2020-03-13T15:58:13Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > \*\*As you get more desperate: \*\* > Bang the Drum Slowly _Bang the Drum Slowly_ is a great movie. I guess you could say it’s not a great “baseball” movie, but it’s one of my favorite movies. If you haven’t seen it, seek it out! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-2020-spring-training-thread-starts-here/848172.md?page=3)