MLB tightening virus protocols, including masks in dugouts
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is cracking down on coronavirus safety protocols, mandating that players and staff wear face coverings at all times, including in the dugouts and bullpens, except for players on the field of play.
The league sent a memo to teams Wednesday outlining changes to its 2020 operations manual after outbreaks on the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals led to 21 postponements in the first two weeks of a shortened 60-game season.
The memo, obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday night, says that repeated or flagrant violators of the protocols could be banned from participating in the 2020 season and postseason.
That includes those who don’t wear face coverings while watching from the dugout. Although such measures were suggested in MLB’s operations manual before Wednesday, some players have continued to not wear face masks, offer high fives, spit and violate the protocols in other ways during games.
Umpires are also being instructed to wear face masks at all times, except when it would make it unfeasible for them to do their jobs.
Most other players who've added extra facial protection to their helmets have worn the basic (and rather boring-looking) plastic attachments we're now used to seeing. A partial list of such players includes Marlon Byrd, Mike Devereaux, Chase Headley, Jason Heyward, David Justice, Terrence Long, Kevin Seitzer and Terry Steinbach, among many others.
MLB Face Coverings Online SaleMLB, Fanatics to manufacture masks and gowns using jersey material
Major League Baseball (MLB) and Fanatics are partnering to manufacture hospital gowns and protective masks with the same fabric used to produce jerseys to bolster the supply needed to fight the coronavirus, the two businesses announced Thursday.
Fanatics, the company that makes MLB jerseys, is converting its manufacturing center in Easton, Pa., to a production center for the personal protective gear hospital workers have been clamoring for as the virus spreads. MLB and Fanatics will cover all costs associated with the endeavor, they said.
“We hope this effort can play a part in coming together as a community to help us through this challenging situation,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.
Fanatics will produce up to 1 million masks and gowns and distribute them throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, the latter of which has been the epicenter of the outbreak in the U.S.
The company is making its first batch of masks and gowns using materials typically used to make jerseys for the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees. Other team jersey materials will be featured as production expands.
Boston Red Sox Face CoveringsWearing a mask is too hot
1. Choose masks that are made from 100 percent cotton, especially if it’s more than one layer of fabric. Cotton allows more airflow than other fabrics.
I have trouble breathing when I wear a mask
2. Choose a mask made from 100% cotton which is more breathable.
3. Add a drop of peppermint oil at the base of the mask to help ease breathing and increase comfort level.
My skin is breaking out from wearing my mask
4. Avoid use of heavy makeup, such as foundation, which can clog your pores.
5. Moisturize your skin, especially in the areas prone to irritation.
6. Wash your face before and after mask wearing.
7. Wash your masks regularly.
How to help your kids feel more comfortable wearing a mask
8. Choose a variety of fun patterns for cloth masks and have your child choose his or her favorite.
9. Get kids used to mask wearing by playing while wearing a mask.
10. Pretend it’s part of a superhero costume or a disguise.
11. Try masks that tie or the button hack explained earlier.
If wearing a mask feels challenging, remember that, for many people, it’s a normal part of the workday. Health care providers, dentists and construction workers among others, rely on masks for protection. If they can do it, we can do it!
Kansas City Royals Face CoveringsMajor League Baseball (MLB) will make its return. NIH’s very own Dr. Anthony Fauci will toss out the first pitch in Washington DC. Will he be wearing his now famous Washington Nationals face mask?
Yeah, NASCAR, the WWE, the PBA, the PGA, professional volleyball and soccer leagues both here and across the “pond” are now finding some wiggle room to perform live. All attempts are just that, attempts at recreating what once was, so that now at least those sporting venues can be used surrounded by a visible void of fans.
The NBA has its Magic Kingdom arena bubble in Orlando. They will join the fray within the next two weeks without fans.
The NFL has canceled the shortened preseason scheduled for August as the full season is now in jeopardy. They, the owners, players and fans, all await the pandemic performance scores from the MLB 60 game season.
Can the MLB make it work with or without Canada? Can the NFL safely put on the field 32 competitive teams along with a newly minted mascot in DC? All very good questions, with no definitive answers at this time.
