MLBPA's Tony Clark Says Players Are Open to Playing Games in Empty Stadiums

Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark admitted to Bob Nightengale of USA Today on Wednesday that the league doesn't "have the answers" and doesn't "expect those to come anytime soon."

But at least one thing is apparent.  

"The only thing understood in his conversations with players is they would be willing to play in empty stadiums, providing it's safe, with testing procedures in place that are also available to the general public," Nightengale reported.

Clark added:

"It's not ideal. Playing in an empty stadium would be a different animal, with different looks, different sounds, and a different feel. But everyone understands and appreciates the world we are in right now. The challenges are real, and if that requires not playing in front of fans, the adjustment is part of it. But knowing we can bring the game to the fans, having them watch the broadcasts, is valuable, too."

Dr. Anthony Fauci, an infectious disease expert who has been present at President Donald Trump's COVID-19 briefings, said earlier Wednesday that "nobody comes to the stadium" if sports are to return in the United States (h/t ESPN).

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported about MLB's involvement with a COVID-19 antibody study on Tuesday:

Passan also reported MLB's focus "on a plan that could allow them to start the season as early as May" on April 6:

"The plan, sources said, would dictate that all 30 teams play games at stadiums with no fans in the Phoenix area, including the Arizona Diamondbacks' Chase Field, 10 spring training facilities and perhaps other nearby fields. Players, coaching staffs and other essential personnel would be sequestered at local hotels, where they would live in relative isolation and travel only to and from the stadium, sources said. Federal officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the National Institutes of Health have been supportive of a plan that would adhere to strict isolation, promote social distancing and allow MLB to become the first professional sport to return."

MLB released a statement the following day:

The Athletic's Andy McCollough spoke with several players about the reported potential plan for a story published on April 7. Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler and Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale were among those against the idea, while Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado was open to it.

Opening Day was originally scheduled for March 26, but the league canceled the remainder of spring training and postponed the start of the regular season on March 12.