Baseball in May? More questions than answers on getting MLB started

As we look back on what now passes for a newsy week in major league baseball, it would be wise to begin the review with some words from Los Angeles Dodgers president Stan Kasten.

"The truth is," Kasten said on AM 570 LA Sports, "we just don't know."

There's a lot of that going around in these days of the coronavirus pandemic, and baseball is not immune.

On the other hand, give MLB some credit for forging ahead with some ideas to get the game up and running as soon as it's possible - and safe.

"The toughest part about it is, we don't have firm answers," White Sox catcher James McCann said. "That's the frustrating part for everyone involved."

There are plenty of questions, so let's highlight some of the key ones:

What exactly is the plan?

ESPN first reported baseball is trying to return at some point in May.

Where would play resume?

Arizona, specifically in Phoenix and the surrounding area.

Why Phoenix?

There are two major reasons.

First, the facilities are there.

Chase Field is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and 10 stadiums used in spring training would also be available. That includes Sloan Park, the Cubs' spring home, and Camelback Ranch, which the White Sox share with the Dodgers.

Phoenix Municipal Stadium, where Arizona State plays baseball, would be another option.

Second, all stadiums are under an hour's drive by car, so that eliminates the need for air travel.

Would playing in Florida work?

It is an option, since half (15) of major league teams hold spring training in the Sunshine State.

Unlike Arizona, however, there is much longer car travel between most facilities in Florida.

Where would players stay?

There are plenty of hotels in Phoenix and Florida, but many of them would have to be reopened to lodge players and staff.

Would players be isolated?

Until the coronavirus eases, that is the plan. It's also a likely deal-breaker because players with wives and children are understandably not on board.

"This is a younger league now and not a lot of guys have families," Sox relief pitcher Steve Cishek said. "So I would guess the majority of the league would be OK with that. It's just us old guys, or guys with families, I should say - I joke about the old guys thing - but guys with families would obviously try to put our foot down as much as we can because it wouldn't be fair to our wives and our kids."

Would players be safe?

That remains the great unknown.

The coronavirus is highly contagious, so even one player testing positive could shut everything down if and when baseball resumes.

What about testing?

Coronavirus tests are still in short supply, and that is a big concern for players.

"When I saw the game plan that was kind of laid out for the whole Arizona situation, obviously it's contingent on there being enough testing available," McCann said. "My first thought was I wouldn't feel right as a human being taking away tests that were needed for the general public, for people that really were sick, just to make sure we could play a game. There's no one that wants to play more than me but I won't feel right if there's not a surplus of tests, that we've taken tests from someone who may need it."

How long would it take major league players to get ready?

The game has been shut down since March 12, but it wouldn't take hitters long to get ramped back up.

Pitchers are a much different story.

If play begins again in May, you would figure pitchers would need at least three weeks to get their arms back in shape. Look for expanded rosters on the pitching side if baseball comes back.

Other issues

Where would players get dressed for practice and games? Clubhouses are always cramped, so there would have to be another option.

What about playing in front of empty seats? That's not a huge problem easing back in. Fans would undoubtedly be able to watch games on TV, although the Cubs' new Marquee Sports Network is still widely unavailable in the Chicago area.

What about the brutally hot summer weather in Arizona? All things considered, it's not that big of an issue, especially with night games available.

At least MLB has a plan, most likely multiple plans. But as Kasten and others have said, there are still too many unknowns to set any firm return dates.

"I guess the best way to word it is we are the mercy of the virus," McCann said. "Assuming we get a hold on it, I definitely think there will be baseball. As long as there are no external forces that don't allow us to play, I'm currently planning on being able to play.

"What that will look like, I don't know. I wish we could have a firm date on things and say hey, scrap the first half of the season, we are going to play a second half. That will be our full season this year and then we will go on to the playoffs or whatever that may be."