# MLB (Baseball) Return July 23. 60 game season in 66 days **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [June 24, 2020, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771 "2020-06-24T16:23:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/182 "2020-07-30T22:38:40Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > This year we’ll do the same thing, just using COVID tests rather than on-field performance to do the winnowing. Right now there’s 32(-ish) teams. Within a few weeks there’ll be a lot fewer. maybe even zero. Last team standing wins the pennant. I was thinking, this season is shaping up to be like the [Hunger Games.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games) Last team standing indeed. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2020, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/183 "2020-07-31T00:28:40Z")
> [@Ponch8](#): > > Given the nature of all this new shit, it’s obvious there will be a lot of postponements and cancellations (assuming the season isn’t cancelled outright). This will require a whole lot of doubleheaders. Early on, one plan was to make all doubleheader games last only seven innings, but that plan hasn’t been enacted. Why wasn’t this rule added for this year? My question has been answered: [MLB, union agree to play 7 innings in doubleheaders - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29567172/mlb-union-agree-play-7-innings-doubleheaders) Starting Saturday, all doubleheader games will be 7 innings. The runner-at-second rule at the start of each extra inning will apply starting in the 8th inning of these doubleheader games. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Greenjeans](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.greenjeans/32/551_2.png) [@Mr.Greenjeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Greenjeans)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/184 "2020-07-31T00:54:03Z")
> [@Ponch8](#): > > My question has been answered: [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/\_/id/29567172/mlb-union-agree-play-7-innings-doubleheaders](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29567172/mlb-union-agree-play-7-innings-doubleheaders) > > Starting Saturday, all doubleheader games will be 7 innings. The runner-at-second rule at the start of each extra inning will apply starting in the 8th inning of these doubleheader games. I really wish you were joking. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2020, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/185 "2020-07-31T01:30:31Z")
I’ve taken everything this season in stride (3 batter rule, runner on 2nd), and even applauded some changes (universal DH). But that’s REALLY dumb. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/186 "2020-07-31T01:56:04Z")
Way more opportunity for no hitters. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/187 "2020-07-31T01:56:33Z")
Unfortunately, I don’t think you’re going to have to worry about these rules for long. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/188 "2020-07-31T13:04:55Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > For God’s sake. Cancel the season. > > The Canadian government’s refusal to let the Jays play at home looks smarter every day. Agreed, on both counts. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/189 "2020-07-31T14:20:58Z")
Good grief. The Cardinals are in Milwaukee; they were to have played the Brewers in a series beginning this afternoon. Due to positive COVID tests among the Cardinals’ party (unknown if any players tested positive), the team is now self-quarantining at their Milwaukee hotel. Today’s Cardinals/Brewers game has been postponed, and the rest of the weekend series is also in doubt. > **[Brewers' opener postponed because of Cardinals' positive tests, rescheduled...](https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2020/07/31/brewers-home-opener-vs-cardinals-postponed-positive-covid-tests/5554050002/)** > > Assuming no more positive tests, the Brewers and Cardinals will play at 6:10 p.m. Saturday and then have a doubleheader Sunday at Miller Park. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/190 "2020-07-31T14:57:54Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I’ve taken everything this season in stride (3 batter rule, runner on 2nd), and even applauded some changes (universal DH). But that’s REALLY dumb. Manfred is also proposing that in any game that goes more than three extra innings, the batters hit off a tee. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/191 "2020-07-31T16:27:56Z")
But they have to run the bases wearing Bozo the Clown shoes. You heard it here first! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/192 "2020-07-31T20:47:28Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Due to positive COVID tests among the Cardinals’ party (unknown if any players tested positive), the team is now self-quarantining at their Milwaukee hotel. They are now saying two players tested positive. The tests were conducted Wednesday, before their game against the Twins. The Twins are still playing, for now. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/193 "2020-07-31T22:01:46Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Manfred is also proposing that in any game that goes more than three extra innings, the batters hit off a tee. I think that, for each extra inning, teams should have to pull one player from the field. So you maybe start the first extra inning with two outfielders, then in the next one you pull second base, and so on. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/194 "2020-07-31T23:45:39Z")
Rob Manfred had a call with MLBPA director Tony Clark today, indicating that he may shut down the season if the outbreaks among the teams can’t be brought under control. > [@](#): > > Should another outbreak materialize, Manfred, who has the power to shut down the season, could move in that direction. Multiple players briefed on the call fear the season could be shut down as soon as Monday if positive tests jump or if players continue not to strictly abide by the league’s protocols. > > State and local governments have pressured baseball about players skirting the mandates outlined in the league’s 113-page operations manual, sources told ESPN. Broadcasts that have shown players high-fiving, spitting and not wearing masks have left government officials wondering how seriously players are taking the protocols, sources said. > > Further, there is concern about off-the-field choices, with one high-ranking official saying: “There are some bad decisions being made.” > **[Sources: Manfred warns union that season at risk](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29572885/sources-mlb-commissioner-warns-shutdown-players-do-better-job-managing-coronavirus)** > > Major League Baseball and its players recognize the coming days are a critical juncture following a 21st positive test for the Marlins and two positive tests for the Cardinals on Friday. ---
**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:** [August 1, 2020, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/195 "2020-08-01T13:55:18Z")
I’m really enjoying the games, but I understand fully they might need to end this. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2020, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/196 "2020-08-01T16:32:38Z")
I think that it’d be a prudent move to go ahead and cancel the season. I don’t see how it’s a good idea to keep playing. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/197 "2020-08-02T05:09:33Z")
Given that the pandemic in general is not slowing down, it’s ridiculous the season has not been cancelled. Good try, guys. Just stop now. It’s getting absurd. ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/198 "2020-08-02T10:41:34Z")
> **[MLB's Manfred: 'We are playing. ... Not a quitter'](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29578360/mlb-commissioner-rob-manfred-says-playing-players-need-better)** > > Rob Manfred says "players need to be better," but the MLB commissioner is confident that play will continue despite positive coronavirus tests that have led to the postponement of 17 games in 10 days. > Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred remains confident the 2020 season can continue, telling ESPN’s Karl Ravech on Saturday that “there is no reason to quit now” despite positive coronavirus tests that have led to the postponement of 17 games in 10 days. > > “We are playing,” Manfred told Ravech. “The players need to be better, but I am not a quitter in general and there is no reason to quit now. We have had to be fluid, but it is manageable.” Damn the torpedoes… ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/199 "2020-08-02T10:44:53Z")
My view is the MLB & the NFL continuing their seasons serves an excellent and noble purpose that must continue. They are celebrities teaching the rabble that masks & distancing works, and lack of masks and distancing doesn’t. And how the wheels inevitably fall off any complicated interlocking endeavor as long as folks keep getting sick. It’s a microcosm of the economy at large. A highly televised, commentated, and most importantly _followed_ microcosm. Lots and lots of television coverage of brand name people laid low is the ONLY thing that might, just might, possibly penetrate the brain cells of the “masks are useless” crowd. ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/200 "2020-08-02T11:36:52Z")
What does Manfred mean by “Players need to be better.”? The players need to recover from the virus they’ve been unnecessarily exposed to because, for economic reasons, we’ve decided to continue this sham of a baseball season? Or, they need to start hitting or pitching better because they suck? There is no reason to quit now, despite positive coronavirus tests that have led to the postponement of 17 games in 10 days, in an already heavily redacted season. Will a death reverse this dumb thinking? That poor fucker who dies to demonstrate the obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2020, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771/201 "2020-08-02T12:42:36Z")
> [@Harrington](#): > > What does Manfred mean by “Players need to be better.”? Apparently the players/teams aren’t being very consistent in following the agreed-upon rules: [Report: Manfred threatens shutdown if teams don’t follow COVID-19 rules](https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1993820) > Government officials are concerned by the lack of attention players are paying to the rules outlined in the return-to-play manual, Passan adds. Broadcasts have often shown players high-fiving and not wearing masks inside the dugout. > > One high-ranking official said “there are some bad decisions being made,” according to Passan. I can’t find it now, but one of the articles I read also implied that there are off-field activities of concern to the League. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-baseball-return-july-23-60-game-season-in-66-days/912771.md?page=11)