The man who always seems to have a plan throughout this COVID-19 crisis has broken out a blueprint that baseball fans might actually like.
Appearing on the YES Network, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, offered a glimmer of hope in regards to the idea that fans might be allowed in baseball stadiums this season to watch real, live Major League Baseball.
"People who know more about baseball structure have said it but I think it's reasonable. You can either have the situation where you get the group of players and you put them in a few cities," Fauci explained to the YES Network's Jack Curry. "You make sure they're not infected. You test them so they don't infect each other. And you have baseball, as much as it's tough to say, in a spectator-less environment. In an environment in which people can watch it on television. The revenues aren't going to be the same as when you have a packed stadium.
"But I think having them play on television is certainly better than nothing.
"Another version of that is to limit the amount of people in a stadium and make sure you seat them in a way that they are really quite separated. And maybe even wearing the facial covers than a mask. I know people look at that and say, 'What are you crazy?' But to me, it's better than no baseball at all. That's the point."
Dr. Anthony Fauci breaks down the various possibilities for baseball's return.Look for @JackCurryYES' full #YESWereHere interview Dr. Fauci right here at 8pm tonight. pic.twitter.com/7FTHjFkZ2W
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) April 20, 2020The Chinese Professional Baseball League has begun its regular season without fans, with the Korean Baseball Organization scheduled to follow suit starting May 5.
It is estimated that nearly 40 percent of baseball teams' revenue each year comes from those attending the games. And with the uncertainty regarding if and when fans will be allowed back in ballparks, there has recently been some disagreement between the MLB Players' Association and MLB regarding how fan-less games might impact the players' pay structure.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred did recently issue a memorandum throughout baseball operations departments that he fully anticipates baseball to return this season (according to ESPN's Jeff Passan).
