Baseball Thoughts: Will the 2020 season even happen?

I really hope baseball returns in 2020. I really do. Half my summer, until marching band starts, is spent yelling at the tv in the afternoon while the Nationals bullpen blows another save. I really don't know what to do without it. Then again, who knows what to do without everything that we've lost? And how do we get it back?

The answer lies in the slim possibility that we get the curve flattened enough, and that players are even willing to play, or that we can allow them to play because of the conditions we'd have to impose to keep them safe. What kind of conditions would those be?

The most likely path forward appears to be the "Arizona plan." This plan involves all 30 MLB teams playing games in Arizona, likely in the 10 spring training parks already in Arizona and Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Minor league fields could also be used. Players would be quarantined from all outside contact, including their families, for around 4 1/2 months. Players may even be forced to social distance from their teammates by sitting in the stands and 6 feet apart from one another.

The problems posed by this plan are very obvious. For one, the players need to agree to this plan, and why would they? They'd have nearly no contact with friends and family for nearly half a year. Angels outfielder and superstar Mike Trout mentioned that he would miss the birth of his first child if they played according to this plan. Players' connections to their families are already strained during the season due to half of the season being spent apart from them, so traveling across the country for 4 1/2 months is not appealing. Players would also likely have to take a large pay cut, and while they already make plenty of money, the Players' association, which has to approve of the plan, would not be happy with that.

Is it worth all this? For me, yes, simply because I miss baseball so much, as do thousands of other Americans with nothing to do right now. But is it worth it for the players, who have to take a pay cut and isolate themselves from their families just to entertain us? That question has yet to be answered. Are there any alternatives? Plans have been proposed for a shortened season in September/October, with a postseason in November. The season could just be cancelled. But the Arizona plan is clearly the most viable at this time.

For me, this doesn't matter. I want to see baseball, no matter what form it takes. But we have to make sure the plan is truly possible before we proceed, for the safety of the players and everyone else involved. I can't believe it has come to this, but whatever happens needs to be the safest option possible.

Hopefully you enjoyed my take on the issue. Feel free to email me at catchershort11@gmail.com, or dm me on Instagram @e_huffman11. I would love any ideas!