From the Throwing Things on the Wall to See What Sticks file comes the latest reported idea on how MLB will conduct its 2020 season, and Arlington and the Metroplex are, well, currently sticking on the wall.
The Three State Plan, which seems to be the logical thing to call it, reportedly would spread the 30 MLB teams across three states — Arizona, Texas and Florida. Phoenix, Arlington and Tampa/St. Petersburg would act as host cities.
All are warm-weather cities that have domed MLB stadiums with durable playing surfaces, as well as ample minor-league and college ballparks nearby where additional games would be played.
With Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s lead voice on infectious diseases, being on the record as saying fans likely won’t be permitted when MLB starts its season, the size of the ballpark doesn’t necessarily matter as much as the amenities and condition of the field.
Could an MLB game be staged at, say, Lupton Stadium on TCU’s campus? In theory, yes. But other MLB cities could be just as suitable a host as Arlington.
The Southern California counties of Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego would seem ideal, with their reliable weather, three major league parks and ample college facilities nearby. And MLB stadiums in Houston and Miami have retractable roofs and access to a variety of other quality ballparks.
So, why Arlington?
MLB isn’t saying, though it admits to having multiple ideas floating around its New York headquarters. This one is being investigated as commissioner Rob Manfred is telling teams he fully expects there will be a 2020 season.
If MLB won’t say why Arlington, the Star-Telegram sure will.
Here are five reasons why Arlington fits the Three City Plan.
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GLOBE LIFE FIELD
The Texas Rangers’ new $1.2-billion home comes with a retractable roof and player amenities that have been described as top-notch. The field is a joint-friendlier synthetic surface that is supposed to play more like grass.
The area has five other potential ballparks that could be used in addition to Globe Life Field and TCU, and the weather could accommodate games well into October if MLB decided to stretch its season that far into fall.
It would be the ideal neutral site. It’s unlikely fans would be in the stands, and even the Rangers could reasonably claim that even they don’t know how the ballpark will play.
That begs a question: Would the Rangers really be getting a competitive advantage if allowed to play in the Arlington group?
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REWARDING RANGERS OWNERSHIP
When the Rangers broke ground on Globe Life Field late in 2017, Manfred admitted that its MLB policy to reward teams that make major capital investments, such as a ballpark, with a jewel event.
More specifically, Manfred acknowledged that an All-Star Game or the World Baseball Classic could be headed to Arlington. He said it again in November at the owner meetings … in Arlington.
Being a coronavirus recovery site might be considered a reward.
Ray Davis has served on the MLB Executive Committee, and in those duties had the chance to work alongside Manfred.
The reward piece should not be overlooked.
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WARM WEATHER
It’s Texas. Summer is approaching. It’s going to be hot and dry. Warm temperatures will hold pretty much through October.
If it’s not dry or if it’s too chilly come October, games can still be played under the Globe Life Field roof.
While teams complain about the Texas heat in the summer, at least they know they are going to be playing each night.
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LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Being in the southern half of the country allows for the weather to hold for several consecutive months, but there’s more to the geography component.
Arlington is basically in the middle of the country so team would have to travel too far to get here. Every MLB market has direct flights to and from DFW Airport — plus major international options — which would make it easier to get players, their families or team personnel back and forth.
If Houston is to be brought in as a potential host city, as CBS Sports reported was a possibility, it’s close enough to Arlington that buses could transport players from series to series, however …
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HOUSTON HAS A PROBLEM
If this were any other year, H-Town would have a strong candidacy to be a host city. It, too, has a retractable-roof ballpark and some other venues in the vicinity capable of hosting MLB games. Houston is the fourth-largest city in the country, and the largest of the potential venues that have surfaced in recent weeks. And George Bush Intercontinental Airport is major hub city, so travel wouldn’t be an issue.
However, would Manfred want to give the Houston Astros a chance to profit from being a host site in the wake of the massive sign-stealing scandal and insignificant $5 million fine that ticked off other MLB owners?
The guess here is no.
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SO, WHAT’S NEXT?
The Three State Plan is only one of a handful of ideas being vetted for a possible MLB season, and when the season will start is as big of a quandary as how it will be conducted.
As the country begins to reopen, and with baseball’s stated willingness to be part of the economic recovery, it seems like sooner is a safer bet than later on when the season starts.
Arlington and the Metroplex, with Globe Life Field, other suitable venues for ballgames and reliable weather, could be ready as an ideal host city once MLB acts.
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