Could coronavirus risk cause Texas Rangers’ season opener in Seattle to be moved?
Fears over the spread of coronavirus in Seattle have led to discussions about contingency plans for the Texas Rangers’ season-opening series against the Seattle Mariners.
Nothing has been settled, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said, and the Mariners said in a statement they expect to play as scheduled on Opening Day on March 26.
The Mariners are hoping to have more guidance next week.
King County officials, though, have recommended to their 2.2 million residents that they work from home and that no one older than 60 or who is pregnant leave their homes. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee told a local radio station that canceling or postponing sporting events is being discussed.
“The health and well-being of our fans and employees is our top priority,” the Mariners said. “We are closely monitoring the situation and are in contact with local public health authorities. Right now, local public health officials are not advising the postponement or cancellation of public events. We fully expect to play baseball at T-Mobile Park beginning March 26.”
Multiple possibilities have been considered if government officials decide to cancel sporting events.
One would be relocating the series, either to a spring facility in Arizona or a ballpark that isn’t hosting season-opening games. Another is playing the four games in Seattle but without fans. Yet another would be postponing the series, though that would create significant scheduling complications later in the season.
The Rangers could host the games at Globe Life Field, but the intent of the Rangers opening the season on the road was to tie up any loose ends discovered during the two exhibition games in Arlington on March 23 and March 24.
King County has reported 51 cases of coronavirus and 10 deaths.
This story was originally published March 5, 2020 at 12:21 PM.
