Corona Virus Prompts Cancellation of M’s Home Games

marc w · March 11, 2020 at 3:42 pm · Filed Under Mariners 

This morning, Governor Jay Inslee, along with the County Executives in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties, issued an executive order banning public gatherings of more than 250 people through the end of March. That means the M’s home opener and the series vs. Texas and Minnesota will not be happening at T-Mobile Park. The M’s and MLB are scrambling to find another venue for the games, as it seems to be the strong preference of both parties that the games happen elsewhere. In recent days, many players, including members of the Rangers, expressed concerns over travelling to Seattle, so just playing the game in an empty stadium may not have been enough.

I’d expect that we’ll see similar actions taken throughout the rest of the league, probably beginning with the California teams. The NCAA tournament is now set to go on with only family members present in the stands, and as colleges tell students to stay off campus after spring break, many spring sports are also imperiled; the Ivy League cancelled all spring sports, including baseball, today. UW’s baseball program will restrict access to home games to “Essential personnel” only.

It’s a tough year to be an M’s fan, and it’s going to get tougher. I hope MLB considers relaxing its blackout rules to allow more Washington/Northwest residents the ability to watch the M’s – wherever they’re playing – through MLB.tv. That said, this is obviously bigger than baseball, and flattening the curve on the spread of Covid-19 is more important than gathering to watch Evan White and Justus Sheffield. The Sounders will have their home games cancelled/moved as well, and things like concerts and conferences may be cancelled (I had Bikini Kill tickets for Monday, but they’re wisely skipping the Northwest). Be good to people, wash your hands, take the recommendations seriously. Go Mariners and all of that. As sports fans, we always dream of an unforgettable season. Whatever happens on the field, and wherever those fields are, we’re never going to forget the 2020 season.

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Comments

3 Responses to “Corona Virus Prompts Cancellation of M’s Home Games”

  1. Stevemotivateir on March 11th, 2020 8:07 pm

    Maybe there won’t even be a 2020 season to remember.

  2. LongDistance on March 11th, 2020 11:20 pm

    I nominate Joe Martin Stadium, up my way, as a replacement park. And have a Mask Night.

  3. weasleman42 on March 12th, 2020 4:33 am

    Just don’t:
    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/29/health/coronavirus-n95-face-masks.html

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