Coronavirus Updates: Kris Bryant on Need for Safety, Other Sports Going Crowdless, More Locations Banning Crowds (UPDATE)

The preventative measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 seemed to reach a fever pitch today, with several cities and states imposing bans on large crowds (MLB is already impacted, and more impacts are coming), and with the NCAA declaring that its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will take place without fans.

The impact is only going to grow. Just a few hours ago, the governor of Ohio said he’ll soon issue an order banning large gatherings in the state, which means the Columbus Blue Jackets are going to play with no crowds – and the order could very well could impact the Reds and Indians if it extends into the regular season. The pace of this stuff is accelerating rapidly. Here’s more of the latest …

Kris Bryant spoke thoughtfully today about the situation, and what may result in significant changes to the way games are played in the early going:

Bryant on thought of playing in front of no fans: pic.twitter.com/ABlU1M9vpA

— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) March 11, 2020

Kris Bryant: “Baseball’s in a different spot just because we haven’t actually started our season yet, so MLB and everybody can really nail this. I don’t know what’s on the table – no fans, delay the season. I just think people’s safety is the utmost importance right now.”

— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) March 11, 2020

Kris Bryant, Cubs' player rep, has been in contact with MLBPA to stay updated on coronavirus situation as it relates to players:

"The main priority here is peoples' safety and health. I think we're all willing to accept ways that would keep us safe and keep everybody else safe."

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 11, 2020

Kris Bryant (player rep) says he's been in contact with the PA/league but only about spring training policies re the coronavirus. He figures we'll hear soon enough about anything reg season related

— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) March 11, 2020

As Bryant suggested, the MLBPA is keeping close tabs on the situation:

Major League Baseball Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark today issued the following statement with regard to coronavirus:https://t.co/7sogW0IRwO pic.twitter.com/lMZf3SoIqU

— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) March 11, 2020

For their part, the NBA is moving very close to going the no-fans route league-wide:

The greater consensus among the teams is continuing to play games without fans in arenas, and the league is expected to move toward a resolution on Thursday, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/Op82C0aR6E

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 11, 2020

And literally as I type this, an update on what’s coming for the NBA:

New story filed to ESPN:
The NBA’s Board of Governors shared a consensus on Wednesday to continue the season playing games without fans in arenas amid the coronavirus crisis, and Commissioner Adam Silver is expected to move in that direction with a decision on Thursday.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 11, 2020

It’s very, very difficult to imagine MLB proceeding with the regular season as scheduled, in the ballparks as scheduled, and with the fans as scheduled. Speaking of which:

With a potential attendance impact from coronavirus looming, it is all the more critical that Cubs fans are at least able to watch games on TV.

So I'm bumping this.

— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) March 11, 2020

And college baseball is going to be impacted, by the way:

Universities have begun enacting policies that will affect college baseball. A quick piece on some of the ramifications of those policies and which teams are affected. https://t.co/11uANFItwm

— Joe Healy (@JoeHealyBA) March 11, 2020

Even the NFL could see some near-term impact:

It seems inevitable that the league meetings and the draft will be altered by the coronavirus; the NFL should take clear and decisive action sooner than later https://t.co/Zvje5LuPev

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 11, 2020

Imagine having to make one of these announcements right now in the States:

Urgent communication. Player tested positive for COVID-19.https://t.co/JdwTzLOjR6 pic.twitter.com/L8pU59zkYf

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) March 11, 2020

By the way, this is the chart that helped me understand why taking aggressive preventative measures is so important, even if you’re of the opinion that the sickness is not a big deal – the coronavirus will spread no matter what, but you can’t risk having it spread too quickly:

It took this chart for me to finally grasp why people should consider not traveling or holding big events. It's not panic or politics. It's about slowing transmission to give the healthcare system a chance to treat all the seriously sick (coronavirus or not) and injured people. pic.twitter.com/WSd8vI66li

— Tim Steller (@senyorreporter) March 7, 2020

UPDATE: And the A’s, who were supposed to open at home this month, will join the Mariners as impacted:

In our support of public health, and ensuring the safety of our community, we have released the following statement. pic.twitter.com/yC6ydsFxTL

— Oakland A's (@Athletics) March 12, 2020