Scoring, home runs down in spring training with new balls in play
With the slightly tweaked baseballs in play, scoring and home runs are down in spring training.
Through Sunday, spring training games are averaging 9.4 runs, the lowest-scoring output in the preseason since at least 2015 and down more than one run from 2019 spring training (10.5 per game). In each of the past four preseasons, spring training games have averaged more than 10 runs.
Home runs also have declined this spring to 1.11 per game, the lowest in the preseason since 2017, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo announced Wednesday that team had a player test positive test for COVID-19.
Rizzo added that it will "certainly" impact the Opening Day roster, as five close contacts are now in quarantine following the team's chartered flight from West Palm Beach to Washington. One of the close contacts is a staff member and the other four are players. All four (or five?) of the players will be unavailable for Thursday night's game against the visiting Mets, though Rizzo said there's no talk of postponement.
Source: Jesse Dougherty on Twitter
Mar 31, 2021, 3:35 PM ET
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo announced Wednesday that team had a player test positive test for COVID-19.
Rizzo added that it will "certainly" impact the Opening Day roster, as five close contacts are now in quarantine following the team's chartered flight from West Palm Beach to Washington. One of the close contacts is a staff member and the other four are players. All four (or five?) of the players will be unavailable for Thursday night's game against the visiting Mets, though Rizzo said there's no talk of postponement.
Source: Jesse Dougherty on Twitter
Mar 31, 2021, 3:35 PM ET
Or related to patriotism (not that I think patriotism is a worthwhile thing)?
After Major League Baseball and Nike announced their partnership to provide on-field uniforms in 2020, the relationship would help guide one of the most historic visual connections in sports: the bond between baseball club identities and their fans. Balancing that sanctity and ingenuity in a club's identity through creative partnership is what energizes the 2021 Nike MLB City Connect Series. The designs continue to explore a franchise’s connection to its city and its fanbase, each with distinct personalities, values, customs and traditions.
Developed in collaboration with seven inaugural clubs (Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, San Francisco Giants), Nike MLB City Connect Series honors the history that binds club, fan, city and culture. In later seasons, the City Connect Series will appear league-wide.
After Major League Baseball and Nike announced their partnership to provide on-field uniforms in 2020, the relationship would help guide one of the most historic visual connections in sports: the bond between baseball club identities and their fans. Balancing that sanctity and ingenuity in a club's identity through creative partnership is what energizes the 2021 Nike MLB City Connect Series. The designs continue to explore a franchise’s connection to its city and its fanbase, each with distinct personalities, values, customs and traditions.
Developed in collaboration with seven inaugural clubs (Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, San Francisco Giants), Nike MLB City Connect Series honors the history that binds club, fan, city and culture. In later seasons, the City Connect Series will appear league-wide.
