Rainiers Update, News Round-Up

The News Tribune had a story today on the Tacoma Rainiers and Defiance today, including information from team president Aaron Artman. The story is right here.

Among the subjects covered is the immediate, currently delayed seasons for both teams and hopes of playing in the future.

The video portion of the online article includes a picture of the field at Cheney Stadium right now – when it looks kind of stuck between a baseball and football configuration. The last game at Cheney was a Defiance soccer match, and with nobody knowing what the next event at the park will be, the grounds crew left the soccer turf in place – but the field markings have long since grown out, so we have a completely grass-covered surface in a stadium built for baseball. Check it out at about the 25-second mark of the video.

As for actual news, we’re still in a waiting game. The story mentions some of the possibilities, which we are all ready for, but there is an overwhelming sense of simply not knowing when Triple-A Baseball can return.

Links:

• Here’s an initial look at the rules that MLB is considering to prevent the spread of the virus as it hopes to play games without fans starting in July.
• If you’re up for a long read, ESPN has a massive article on the state of MLB’s return and the many hurdles.
• The Seattle Times caught up with Mariners TV announcer Dave Sims to discuss what it would be like calling games with no fans in the stands.
• The Mariners have asked their full time baseball staff to take pay cuts to help during the hiatus. This group presumably includes the Tacoma Rainiers coaching staff.
• Fun story on former Rainiers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, currently of the Texas Rangers. In case you have been wondering, Choo tells us very clearly which Korean team we should be rooting for.
• Sports Illustrated has an article on the state of the minors.
• Here’s an update on the Everett Aqua Sox, and where things stand during the shutdown.
• We have a report on the status of the minor league teams in Utah, including the Salt Lake Bees.
• The Class-A Charleston club has come up with a plan changing the way their ballpark works in a Covid-19 world.
• Baseball America’s “Better Know A Broadcaster” series focused on Oklahoma City’s Alex Freedman, and it is not boring.
• Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs came up through the minor leagues and he tells a fun story about Pony Night when he was recreating games on the radio in the 1970s.