Officials ask MLB to delay spring training in Arizona due to high infection rate

Officials from the Cactus League and Arizona communities are asking MLB to delay spring training for 15 teams in the state due to the high COVID-19 infection rate.

Cactus League Executive Director Bridget Binsbacher made the request through a letter to MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred that was dated Friday and signed by six mayors, two city managers and the president of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. 

Players typically report to spring training in February, bringing 15 teams to train at 10 facilities in the area for games beginning at the end of February or beginning of March, The Arizona Republic noted. 

But the letter, signed by officials from communities that traditionally host at least one spring training team, cited predictions that Arizona’s daily infection rate is not expected to sharply decrease until mid-March.

“In view of the current state of the pandemic in Maricopa County — with one of the nation’s highest infection rates — we believe it is wise to delay the start of spring training to allow for the COVID-19 situation to improve here,” the letter, which was obtained by The Hill, said.

“We understand that any decision to delay spring training cannot be made unilaterally by MLB,” it added. “As leaders charged with protecting public health, and as committed, longtime partners in the spring training industry, we want you to know that we stand united on this point.”

The letter specifically cited the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation forecast that Arizona’s current average of about 7,000 cases per day could increase to 9,712 cases per day by Feb. 15 and then decrease to 3,072 daily cases by March 15. 

The officials wrote that leaders from the nine host communities met with MLB representatives to discuss planning for spring training.

The Cactus League’s spring training task force has worked on developing COVID-19 protocols for games, such as pod seating, social distancing and contactless transactions, according to the letter.

The MLB in a statement obtained by The Associated Press said that it “will continue to consult with public health authorities, medical experts, and the Players Association whether any schedule modifications to the announced start of Spring Training and the Championship Season should be made in light of the current COVID-19 environment to ensure the safety of the players, coaches, umpires, MLB employees and other game day personnel in a sport that plays every day.”