While leagues around the world work on plans to resume activities. Major League Baseball’s latest re-opening plans could provide a blueprint for others. Particularly through their plan to have teams play at home.

Leagues are floating all kinds of proposals to resume play. Some of these re-opening plans have one thing in common; teams playing at neutral sites. The National Hockey League is contemplating a 24 team Stanley Cup Playoffs possibly in two cities. The National Basketball Association might also have an expanded playoffs. While Major League Soccer is contemplating a neutral site tournament in Orlando, Florida.

Major League Baseball floated neutral site play in a proposal several weeks ago. MLB’s most recent proposal leaves a different possibility open. Potentially having Cincinnati Reds games in Cincinnati this year. Through having teams play a more regionally-focused schedule. With teams playing at home or visiting divisional or close inter-league opponents.

Neutral site play seems reasonable for the NBA and NHL. Since those leagues completed most of their regular season. While Major League Baseball didn’t even start their season. A neutral site tournament also makes some sense for Major League Soccer. In-season tournaments aren’t that unusual in soccer. 

Resuming play with neutral site action makes less sense for baseball. Especially since this upcoming MLB season could have teams playing roughly 80 games. Far more than the other major leagues are planning to play. That would be a hefty challenge for just one or two states to take on. While being asked to host 30 teams for several months.

MLB’s most recent plan could provide some sense of normalcy. For baseball fans, players, coaches, baseball personnel and society in general. Through playing at home or close by; instead of going far from home for months. MLB teams could set an example for other leagues. For how to resume a regular season in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This plan puts MLB teams in a position to potentially set a good example in their communities. Through implementing their physical distancing plans in their own home park. Instead of fans watching it play out from afar in Florida or elsewhere. MLB Teams would be put under a microscope in a good way. Being among the most high-profile organizations to cautiously re-open in their community.

Discourse around MLB’s re-opening plan is largely devolving into a squabble over money. Between team owners and the MLB Players Association. This squabble was inevitable due to baseball’s financial structure. In March, the player’s agreed to having prorated salaries for this season. Meaning players would get paid for the amount of games they ultimately play. A significant change for a league with guaranteed salaries and no salary cap. According to a CNBC report, top players might make only 20% of their salary. 

While the financial issues are important for the players and owners. In all fairness, it’s not the most important issue for baseball. The health and safety concerns are more important. However, the financial tensions provide a hopeful sign in a way. MLB’s health and safety proposals aren’t producing as much public tension.

Of course, the players have their concerns with the health and safety plans. Given the circumstances, people will have concerns with any organization’s re-opening plans. Whether it’s a local business, a house of worship or a sporting venue. However, the public push back from players on that front isn’t as fierce. The league would be reckless to restart if there was more public tension on that front.

Instead the negotiations have devolved into an inevitable fight over money. One that all of the major pro-leagues will face at some point. Though unique to baseball because of their financial structure and strong player’s union. Ultimately, the lack of tensions over the safety guideline proposals is a hopeful sign. That an MLB season might happen at some point in 2020.