Jul 10, 2020 3 min read

Giants’ Posey opts out of MLB season

San Francisco Giants star catcher Buster Posey is the latest big-name player to skip this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

Posey announced his decision on Friday. He says his family finalized the adoption of identical twin girls this week. The babies were born prematurely and Posey said after consultations with his wife and doctor he decided to opt out of the season. Posey had missed three practices while dealing with a personal issue.

Posey joins other big-name players like Dodgers pitcher David Price, Washington first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, Colorado’s Ian Desmond and Arizonna pitcher Mike Leake in deciding not to take part in the 60-game season this year.

Swofford: ACC decision by late July

Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner John Swofford says the league expects to make its decision on fall sports in “late July.”

The league put out Swofford’s statement Friday afternoon, saying the league has prepared “numerous scenarios” for fall competition over the last few months. The decision would come from the league’s board of directors.

Earlier this week, the ACC delayed the start of fall competition until at least Sept. 1. That move impacts non-revenue programs like soccer, volleyball, field hockey and cross country, but not football for now. The first football game involving a league team is North Carolina State’s trip to Louisville Sept. 2.

NHL, players approve plan to restart

Hockey became the latest sport to finalize a return during a global pandemic after NHL owners and players approved an agreement Friday to resume the season.

Games begin Aug. 1 in Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta, with coronavirus cases in the U.S. pushing the league into Canada for the summer and fall until the Stanley Cup is awarded in late September or early October.

Training camps open across North America on Monday, which is also the deadline for players to opt out of participating with no penalty.

“I don’t think you’re going to see a lot of players saying I don’t want to go,” Minnesota forward Zach Parise said. “If one of my teammates says they don’t want to go, you respect their decision for whatever reason. We all want to keep our families safe.”

The return-to-play plan, tentatively approved by the NHL and NHL Players’ Association on Monday, was ratified by the league’s board of governors and with majority approval from players following a three-day voting period, ending Friday. Along with it, the two sides also formally approved a four-year extension of the collective bargaining agreement.

Jags plan for reduced capacity

The Jacksonville Jaguars announced plans Friday to play home games in front of a significantly reduced capacity this fall.

Fans in attendance will be required to wear face coverings.

The team released details in an email to season-ticket holders, saying it expects about 25% capacity at TIAA Bank Field in 2020 “in compliance with state and local authorities and following CDC social distancing guidelines.”

“Once the season begins, any future increase in capacity will depend on developments on the health and safety front,” the Jaguars said.

The stadium’s capacity is listed at over 67,000.

Baltimore was the first team to announced plans for reduced capacity, saying Wednesday it plans to allow fewer than 14,000 fans at home game at M&T Bank Stadium in 2020.