Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the opening day of the 2020 Major League Baseball season has been consistently postponed, which means football fans residing in the Rockies may have to settle for watching reruns in the meantime.
The coronavirus’s effects on MLB
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has emerged recently, is characterized by its high level of contagiousness. In response, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised the suspension or cancellation of all gatherings involving 50 people or more for a minimum duration of eight weeks.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred recently declared that the MLB, in accordance with CDC recommendations, would be suspending games until at least mid-May.
The news of the shutdown started circulating two weeks before the Rockies & Opening Day. Bud Black, the manager of the Rockies &, took to Twitter to convey the league’s and players’ dedication to ensuring the safety of both fans and players during the outbreak.
Similar to all Americans, we are urging our players to come back home and be with their families, ensuring their safety by avoiding large gatherings. Black expressed our collective desire to do the same. We are closely observing the situation on a daily basis, waiting to see how it unfolds in the coming weeks.
Colorado prepares to experience the initial crisis in recent memory.
The COVID-19 outbreak in Colorado is unprecedented in modern history.
Jared Polis, the Governor of Colorado, has declared a state of emergency in response to the ongoing situation. In order to prevent the spread of the virus and reduce the time spent by residents in their homes, Polis has implemented measures that allow locals to self-quarantine. Additionally, all non-essential commerce has been temporarily closed throughout the state.
Despite the disappointment of the season’s suspension, Rockies General Manager Jeff Bridich supported the COVID-19 measures.
He emphasized that the main priority, as mentioned on the team’s Twitter page, is to ensure the well-being of players and their families. Given the ongoing spread of the virus, the entire focus is on practicing social distancing, sanitization, and upholding public health measures.
Legal sports betting changes the game
If the condition follows through on its original plan, the MLB season in Colorado may coincide with the legalization of legitimate sports gambling.
Despite the sudden halt of professional activities nationwide, there are individuals who struggle to comprehend the concept of legalizing sports betting in Colorado. Nevertheless, state legislators and gaming regulators have embraced the resilient spirit of the Rockies and remain unwavering in their commitment to stick to the original timeline.
The state’s gaming regulators are still granting sports betting licenses to various companies, resulting in a total of 31 businesses ready for the upcoming May 1 launch.
Online sports wagering programs provide MLB teams like the Rockies, as well as their home state, with an opportunity to recover a portion of the revenue lost at the stadiums.
a fresh normalcy?
Instead of performing in front of massive crowds, individuals can now participate in competitions while fans observe and place bets from the comfort of their homes.
Playing games in front of large crowds of appreciative spectators may seem unusual, but it could soon become a normal occurrence.
Furthermore, with the presence of tens of thousands of people in close proximity, the virus has rapidly proliferated, taking advantage of the numerous plastic and metal surfaces that allow it to survive for extended periods. In the event that the Rockies decide to hold games without spectators, fans will still have the opportunity to relish their beloved sport while adhering to social distancing measures.
The state and MLB citizens can potentially benefit financially from sportsbooks, but the realization of this depends on the commencement of games. The exact date for the Rockies’ opening day remains uncertain until further information is released by the MLB.
