MLB expects to use home ballparks for spring training if plans to play season proceed | USA Today
Coors Field may end up being the third spring training venue in Rockies history, after Hi Corbett Field and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
“The move would be driven by an interest in saving time and money,” says USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. Instead of trying to find a place to live in Scottsdale, the Rockies players could return to their familiar living arrangements in Denver. As the next few months appear filled with provisions and unfamiliarity, at least players could find some sense of normalcy being at their in-season homes.
A listed disadvantage according to executives is “having the use of only one field instead of the usual six at their spring training sites.” It’s surreal to imagine Coors Field as how desirable of a spring training venue it would make. There are five mounds for pitchers to throw on at field level—two in each bullpen and one on the field. There are batting tunnels under the stands, a full infield and ample outfield space.
These are indeed simple characteristics, and teams boast a more comprehensive setup for standard spring training. At the very least, this proposal gives players a field they are actually allowed on; Nolan Arenado was reportedly kicked off his own high school field.
It’s been quite a while since MLB players have played on a field with a third deck of seating. While it may be a negligible adjustment for perennial big leaguers, an acclimation process may be best achieved by putting these players in the actual big league venues.
As has become predictable with almost every suggested proposal by MLB, this one is also from officials that “spoke on the condition of anonymity because no decision has been reached by MLB.” It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact momentum of this proposal under that anonymity, but USA Today hearing this news from four separate team executives gives it ample validity.
As of Friday night, the projected high temperatures in Phoenix for each day next week will be 98 degrees or higher. Cactus League teams would have to leave behind the desirable spring temperatures of home cities if spring training resumed at the spring venues. Denver looks to be around the mid-70’s all of next week.
MLB streamed the 2007 NL Tiebreaker on Twitter on Friday. Their headlining tweet has some entertaining responses (mainly from what appears to be Padres fans). Those responses continue the questions on whether Matt Holliday actually did touch home. Former Purple Row manager Russ Oates wrote a piece on the source of that debate, 10 years after the infamous slide.
It's often fun and interesting to see the behind-the-scenes of big league players. Kyle Freeland has been going to work with his golf clubs inside the house, Charlie Blackmon got a dog, and David Dahl has ‘retired’ from MLB The Show.
MLB replay reviews could vanish in 2020 thanks to expected umpire deal | The New York Post
MLB and the Umpires Association reached a reported agreement on Thursday for how umpires will be paid in 2020.
The agreement “gives MLB the right to not use instant replays of umpires’ decisions during the 2020 season.” Proposals are being considered where games could be played in ballparks “not wired for replay.” It makes one curious what truly goes into wiring a park for replay, now that it simply involves a headset on the field.
Miss the Game? Read with the Rockies! | Denver Public Library
Call ‘Phone-a-Story’ at 720-865-8500 to hear some Rockies do a little story time. Press 3 to hear Ian Desmond read Dragons Love Tacos, or 8 to hear Ryan McMahon read Is Your Mama a Llama?
The Denver Public Library also writes about some other baseball reading material, discussing Emily Nemen’s recent release The Cactus League (fictitiously based at Salt River Fields), and the digital copies of baseball magazines like Baseball America.