Report: MLB will pursue severe penalties for fights in 2020

Don’t expect to see any major on-field altercations in Major League Baseball games in 2020.

MLB will look to maintain strict social distancing guidelines if and when games are played in 2020. That means anyone who gets into an on-field fight is going to face very strict discipline, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

1 interesting item from MLB proposal: Fighting and instigating fights are strictly prohibited. Players must not make physical contact with others for any reason unless a normal and permissible part of game action. Violations of these rules will result in severe discipline.

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) May 16, 2020

MLB frowns on fighting at the best of times, and it would be even more irresponsible in this environment. The way it’s worded, Sherman hints that players could miss out on double-digit games. The fact that it will be a shortened season will only make it more significant.

If you want to know how serious MLB is about social distancing, check out some of these other rules the league is weighing.