Astros: Baseball returns with some questionable changes

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Finally, the boys are back in town! I don’t know about how you’re feeling, but I’m really getting excited about the fact that Houston Astros baseball is coming back even if it’s going to look a bit different.

With all that has been going on in the world, the return of baseball means that things are starting to look up for 2020, though it goes without saying that it’s not going to be the Houston Astros baseball we all know and love.

I won’t rehash all of the changes that you’ve probably read about a thousand times this past week, but I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I have some feelings on the subject of what this 2020 season is — or should I say, is not — going to be.

Proposed Schedules

We know that we’re only going to play 60 games this season and game schedules have yet to be announced. In an effort to minimize travel amidst COVID-19, teams will play 10 games against each of their division rivals. Most likely is that these contests will consist of two five-game series, one at home and one away.

The remaining 20 games will be played against each team’s corresponding interleague division opponents. This means the Astros will face the Dodgers, D-Backs, Rockies, Padres and Giants. We’ll see if they play each team in a pair of two-game series, one away and one at home, or if they just play one four-game series against each.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 25: Zack Greinke #21 of the Houston Astros bats against the Washington Nationals in Game Three of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park on October 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Common DH Rules

Because Spring Training 2.0 will be much shorter, and in an effort to eliminate both fatigue and the potential for injury to pitchers, for the first time in the history of baseball, the NL will have a DH. They’re saying this is only for 2020, but I have a feeling this will catch on.

There will be a good amount of interleague play, and this is one change that I’m super excited about because, to me, watching pitchers hit just makes them look awkward. Of course, I’m sure Zack Greinke has much to say about this rule.

Extra Innings

To me, the most offensive change in place for 2020, even if it is only for regular season play, affects games that run into extra innings. Each half-inning of play past the ninth inning will begin with a runner on second base.

For purposes of the lineup, the baserunner will be the batter who made the final out in the team’s prior half-inning. When said baserunner scores, the run will be scored as an error and the pitcher will not be charged with an earned run.

This rule has already been implemented in the minor leagues and came about in an effort to shorten games in hopes of garnering interest in baseball for new fans to the game. And while I theoretically understand the reasoning behind the rule because it limits time and shortens games, it’s just a weird rule and lacks a true sense of competition.

For me, I hope this rule doesn’t stick. If you’re not already a fan of baseball, this minutely shortened game time is not going to win you over.

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – MARCH 10: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros gives the “elbow bump” instead of the high five to teammates because of Coronavirus during the spring training game against the at FITTEAM Ballpark of The Palm Beaches on March 10, 2020 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Social Distancing

In the beginning, another adjustment will be the lack of crowd noises coming from the stands. I wonder how weird this will be for the players. As a spectator, it’s going to be weird not to hear the roar of the crowds on my television.

Among other teams, the Astros have expressed their intent to potentially host fans at some point this year. We’ll have to see how that plays out because players and other team personnel not actively participating in the games will be required to sit in the stands separated by at least six feet.

This leads us to one of the most difficult changes both for players and spectators. Because of social distancing rules, there will be no in-game celebrations — no high-fives, no fist bumps, no hugs, etc. Also, as much as is practical when on the field, players will be required to maintain a minimal distance between base runners and fielders and between themselves, coaches, and the umps.

Even though baseball is for the most part a non-contact sport, there are some scenarios that just might not work out for this requirement. For example, what happens with plays that require tagging? Or what about when a runner on first base is trying to steal second and the pitcher is keeping them in check?

Personal Protective Gear

There are some rules about masks that seem to not have been very well thought out. For instance, managers and team personnel inside the dugout will be required to wear masks at all times. However, players that are actively on the field will be pretty close together when inside the dugout and they will not be wearing masks. This mask requirement seems a bit of an obscure measure and to me is somewhat pointless.

KISSIMMEE, FL – MARCH 11: A detailed view of a group of towels, Dubble Bubble chewing gum containers and packages of sunflower seeds sitting in the dugout prior to the Spring Training game between the Detroit Tigers and the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium on March 11, 2016 in Kissimmee, Florida. The Astros defeated the Tigers 10-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Habits

Players will be allowed to chew gum but they will not be allowed to spit, chew tobacco or consume sunflower seeds. Baseball players mindlessly spit all the time, and my mind immediately goes to Jose Altuve and Josh Reddick. What will be the rules about biting fingernails or blowing bubbles with gum? And what about the pitchers who lick their hands before each pitch?

Some other recommendations are the discouragement of postgame showers and the use of taxis and rideshares. These things just seem weird to me. My mind might be able to come up with reasons for no showers, even if it seems gross to eliminate them, but visiting teams are going to require transportation to and from games. I guess they’ll all be renting cars and separately driving themselves.

Wellness Checks

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Multiple times a week, all players will be tested for the virus. I’m guessing they will have rapid-response testing because a positive test will require immediate quarantine. Also as a precaution, all players will be given temperature checks multiple times a day.

The regular IL for both pitchers and position players will be for 10 days and rules about players who are optioned or outrighted off of the roster have not changed. But there also will be a special COVID-19 IL for players who test positive, have confirmed exposure or are exhibiting symptoms. Such an IL will not carry a minimum or maximum number of days, but any player who tests positive will have to test negative twice in order to return to play.

Some of these things make sense and some of them make no sense at all. What happens to the team that has an active player that tests positive? Will the entire squad be quarantined bringing in the taxi squad? I have so many questions.

Part of me is super excited at the prospect of baseball finally returning, even if it is only going to be on TV for now. The other part of me is super confused because some of these guidelines make no sense to me if I’m to believe everything I hear and read in the media.

With everything about 2020 having been so very different so far, it stands to reason that baseball will also be very different. But hey, at least we’re finally going to see some live action on the diamond and that fact just improves the outlook on the second half of 2020!

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