If and when the 2020 MLB season is played, things are going to look very different on the field due to social distancing guidelines.
MLB shared proposed safety guidelines with players in a recent memo, and some of the changes are significant, according to Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich of The Athletic. They include no exchange of lineup cards before games, social distancing in the dugout, masks for non-players, and fielders being encouraged to step away from baserunners wherever possible.
High fives and fist bumps are to be avoided, and communal water and sports drink coolers will not be allowed. The whole article is worth a read solely for the many changes that are possible both on and off the field.
Big changes may be coming to on-field rules as well, if only for one year. What’s clear is a very different game experience is likely coming in 2020.
