Baseball to help unemployed stadium workers
The New York Yankees ownership is donating $1 million to help Yankee Stadium workers that will not be working due to the delay in the baseball season. The donation is part of a plan by MLB that will involve all 30 baseball teams as MLB tries to lessen the economic blow to stadium workers across the county.
“Motivated by desire to help some of the most valuable members of the baseball community, each club has committed $1 million,†MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “The individual clubs will be announcing more details surrounding this support effort in their local communities. The timing of these announcements will vary because of the need to coordinate with state and local laws as well as collective-bargaining obligations in an effort to maximize the benefits realized by each group of employees. I am proud that our clubs came together so quickly and uniformly to support these individuals who provide so much to the game we love.â€
The COVID-19 coronavirus is causing a complete change in how we conduct our daily lives, and of course, that includes all of the sports and, more specifically, baseball. Without games taking place at Yankee Stadium, all types of workers from food service workers to the security staff will be without paychecks. The can apply for state unemployment benefits, but those benefits fall far short from a healthy paycheck. The MLB donations are meant to augment those payments.
COVID-19 continues to create questions about the baseball season.
Now with a second known case of the virus has affected another Yankee minor league player at the minor league complex in Tampa, Florida, the pushback to March 26th to begin minor league training again is in question. Early in the week, Yankee Charleston River Dog player Denny Larrondo was announced as testing positive for the disease. The second player’s identification remains unknown as he has asked that it remain anonymous.
On the major league front, the start of the regular season still remains a mystery due to the progress and spread of the disease. As of right now, MLB has said that it will follow CDC recommendations to lessen the spread of coronavirus. The would put the start date somewhere around Memorial Day. With the situation in flux, a further delay may be necessary. It also remains a question as to if and when the season starts, if it will be played in front of empty stands.
Many major-league players remain at George M. Steinbrenner Field, continuing to condition for the start of the season. New York Yankee management has also stated that players who wish to go home may do so. If workouts on the field do take place, they will likely be broken up into squads so that no more than ten will workout together at the same time. Field Manager Aaron Boone has left camp and returned home to Greenwich, CT, to assist his four children with their online classes.
New York Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman remains at the Tampa training complex. He has been in and out of meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday. He is coordinating the organizations’ responses to State and CDC requirements and suggestions to limit both exposure and spread of the virus.  He said that he would remain at the complex:
“I’m not going anywhere,†Cashman said, standing outside of Steinbrenner Field. “The only way I’m leaving is if things are OK. If they’re not OK, I’m not going anywhere.â€
Meanwhile, there are more questions than answers involving the virus and when and if a baseball season will actually start. The uncertainty of the situation has both players and fans without the sport they love and suffering from baseball separation anxiety for the second time in just six months. This adds to the concern for their health and that of family and friends.