CLEVELAND — Wednesday marks the start of "summer camp" for the Cleveland Indians as the team prepares for the delayed start of the 2020 MLB season.
3News' Dave Chudowsky took some of your questions to Curtis Danburg of the Indians to get an update on what fans can expect once the season officially begins.
Here's a look at their quick Q&A...
3News' Dave Chudowsky: Any chance fans will get inside Progressive Field this year?
Indians' Curtis Danburg: We don’t know. There’s so much unknown. We’re going to put a plan together, but at the end of the day it’s about the health and safety of our players and the health and safety of our fans. We have to work with state officials to identify what those guidelines are. If an opportunity presents itself, we’ll be ready for it. Right now, it’s focusing on players coming into Progressive Field and going through the protocols to make sure we can begin the season safely.
Chudwosky: Players won’t be sitting in the dugouts? They’ll be in the stands?
Danburg: We’re lucky. We have dugout suites, the suites behind home plate. We’re going to extend the dugouts there so they won’t actually be in the seating bowl, but we’re going to take advantage of those dugout suites. There’s so many different dynamics -- not just the home side. We have to think about the visiting side. How they’re going to enter the ballpark, how they’re going to exit the ballpark and how they’re going to be fed.
Chudowsky: Will Slider be wearing a mask?
Danburg: Yes. He’ll be practicing social distancing with a mask. That’s a rule that is allowing mascots to be in the ballpark. Expect on day one that Slider will be in the ballpark. He won’t be able to entertain fans, but I’m sure he’ll find some fun around the ballpark.
Other notes:
- No spitting or tobacco use or sunflower seeds.
- No player-to-player contact (other than making tags).
- Temperature checks.
- COVID-19 testing.
- All 30 teams will be 60 games in 66 days.
- Both leagues will use designated hitter.
- Extra innings will begin with a runner on second base.
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