Will fans be allowed at MLB games? Where will MLB 60-game season be played?

Major League Baseball (MLB) has taken its first major step towards start of 2020 season. MLB released a statement to officially anunced ir plan to return to play with MLB 60 game season approved by commissioner Rob Manfred. approved proposal also guarantees players of prorated portion of ir salaries (which was sticking point in negotiations between MLB owners and MLBPA).

Per latest anuncement, players will be needed to report to team training by July 1. date for Opening Day of 2020 season is tentatively set at July 23 or 24 and will continue till September 27. With details about  format of season yet to be worked out, two big questions yet to be answered are: Will fans be allowed at MLB games? and where will MLB games be played?

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So, will fans be allowed at MLB games? 

Earlier this month, news broke suggesting MLB will let state governments decide if MLB fans at games will be a feasible idea or t. With coronavirus pandemic hitting United States hard, MLB fans at games - if allowed - will be a significantly lower number, considering a ballpark might t be safest place to maintain social guidelines. Texas is currently allowing fans up to 50% of stadium capacity. This means if MLB does t impose any additional guidelines, answer to 'will fans be allowed at MLB games?' will remain affirmative.

Where will MLB games be played? Can fans go to MLB games?

While answer to this remains positive, it also important to discuss  location where will games be played. NBA and MLS opted for a bubble at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, in order to play out ir ongoing seasons. However, MLB is yet to officially anunce if such a scenario is being negotiated between league owners and MLBPA.  

According to MLB's press release, league has asked players to return to ir home cities in order to begin training camp by July 1. " vast majority of Major League Clubs are expected to conduct training at ballparks in ir primary home cities," MLB's press release read. This should imply that games will be played at team's home stadiums with protocols from MLB as well as state to be followed. Also, MLB 60 game season will see teams play a total of 40 intradivisional games (10 against each of four divisional rivals) and remaining 20 games against opposition of same league, which will be determined by "corresponding geographical division." This will be done to mitigate  travel of respective teams as much as possible. 

Also Read | MLB Stand Off Continues Even As Manfred Says Framework Agreed With Players' Union Chief

Will fans be allowed at MLB games? Coronavirus pandemic to play a big part in decision

This past weekend, MLB shut down team training camps for cleaning after a reported 40 players and team personnel tested positive for COVID-19. Teams like Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, have all reported multiple cases. Along with shutting down training facilities, MLB also reportedly stated all personnel must test negative for coronavirus before being allowed to join stadium. Fear of an outbreak within league could drastically alter plans for 2020 MLB season, let alone deciding if MLB fans at games should be allowed. 

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(Im Credits: AP)