Weekend Rumblings - News for April 4, 2020

Weekend Rumblings - News for April 4, 2020

Lynn Worthy talks to Royals players and trainers about how to keep physically fit in isolation.

“Baseball, I’ve always felt, is impossible to replicate,” Merrifield said. “It’s impossible to get ready for a game without playing in a game. So all I’m trying to do is keep my body in shape, take the amount of swings I would take in a spring training day, throw, run, keep my legs and arm in shape. But there’s no way to replicate.

”I don’t care if you face live pitching or take live batting practice, there’s no reps like a game rep. You can’t do anything in that sense to stay game ready. It’s just going to have to be when we get back to that little modified spring training we’re talking about having. That’s how you get back to being sharp.”

Sam Mellinger gives an honest look at whether baseball will be played this summer.

This should be the biggest fear and the clearest guidance for major sports leagues and other businesses: The only thing worse than months of self-isolation would be having to do it again because we didn’t have the stomach to do it right.

This is why playing games without fans might prove unfeasible. The broad strokes make sense — if the virus spreads through social contact, let’s eliminate that social contact and the games can happen on TV.

But both health experts and real-world examples are showing it is not that simple. Professional and major-college sports require much more than just athletes and coaches — stadium workers, trainers, support staff, grounds crew, media and many more are needed for these games to take place.

Anything less than a full quarantine for all involved would mean at least some risk. That means families would be affected. Will everyone around these games agree to live in full isolation, away from even family?

Alyson Footer lists Jackson Kowar in her list of potential future aces in the division.

To be honest, the Royals’ pipeline of young pitching prospects could produce multiple aces, from Kowar to Brady Singer to Daniel Lynch to Kris Bubic and others. We’ll go with Kowar as our potential ace for now. As one rival scout said during camp, “He probably has the highest ceiling of that group. Once he better commands his curveball, he’ll shoot to the big leagues pretty fast.”

Kevin O’Brien considers what a lost season could mean for prospects Nick Pratto and Seuly Matias.

At Royals Academy, Clint Scoles gives his latest thoughts on the draft.

Royals players and owner John Sherman record a public service announcement about coronavirus.

Former Royals outfielder Raul Ibanez talks hitting on the Big Fly Baseball Show.

The MLBPA approves cash payments to non-roster players with service time.

Baseball’s Opening Day in Japan, set for April 24, will be delayed.

The ‘77 squad represents the Royals in ESPN’s tournament of best clubs to never win it all.

How to get a job in baseball, according to general managers, including Dayton Moore.

A judge nixes a lawsuit by daily fantasy sports players over sign-stealing.

The pitches that are so weird, they work.

Evan Gattis admits that the Astros obviously cheated.

What if Derek Jeter never broke up the Marlins?

How the Mariners assembled their dynasty lineup of the 90s.

Nationals reliever Sean Doolittle loves independent bookstores and his causes.

The Fumble Dimension goes Out of the Park.

Entercom, which owns 610 Sports, rolls out national layoffs on many sports talk radio shows.

Ranking the top 100 NFL draft prospects.

State probe Zoom for possible privacy violations.

The toilet paper shortage is more complicated than you think.

Disney pushes back the release dates for Marvel movies for the next two years.

Your song of the day is Cannonball Adderley with Elsa.