Here’s how the NBC World Series is trying to pull off a tournament during a pandemic
Over the span of the next eight days, the National Baseball Congress World Series will attempt to pull off a 13-team, double-elimination tournament in two cities during a pandemic to crown a champion for the 86th straight summer.
It’s a plan tournament director Kevin Jenks wasn’t always sure was going to come to fruition, but on the eve of the tournament, he is confident the health and safety guidelines in place will allow the tournament to start on time. That in itself feels like an accomplishment.
The opening game of the tournament is 3 p.m. Monday at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson between the Colorado Cyclones and Hattiesburg (Miss.) Black Sox to kick off a tripleheader, while the first game of a doubleheader at Eck Stadium is at 6 p.m. between the Hays Larks and Kansas City All-Stars.
“I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to do as an organization,” Jenks said. “If people only knew what these kids have gone through to get here, then I think they would understand that we have a great jewel of a tournament. I hope the community is able to appreciate the show that we put on and support these teams that come to play in Wichita and Hutchinson for a national championship.”
Hosting a tournament during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has surged recently in Sedgwick County, means there will be extra precautions taken this week.
Fans attending games at Eck Stadium will be required to wear a mask, per Wichita State policy, while fans in Hutchinson will be strongly recommended to wear a mask. Hand sanitizer will be required upon entry, while social-distancing practices will also be required in the stands. Every other row will be blocked off at Eck Stadium, with each group of people sitting at least six feet away from one another.
In order to mitigate lines at the stadium, fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets at nbcbaseball.com. Staff will monitor foot traffic around the stadium during games and try to ensure proper social distancing. The safety guidelines have been approved by the Sedgwick County Health Department.
“I think the public understands what the situation is when they go out in public now,” Jenks said. “I understand there are some people who don’t enjoy the idea of wearing a mask all the time, but I hope they’re respectful of the laws that we have to abide by in order to play the event. If we don’t do this, then we’re not able to play the NBC World Series. I hope people keep that in mind.”
Due to a limited supply and sometimes lengthy wait for results, mandatory coronavirus testing was not issued for the teams. However, teams have been doing their own daily health checks on players this summer.
When teams arrive to games this week, NBC World Series officials will administer their own health checks for each player and coach. They will be asked if they have had a cough, sore throat, runny nose or diarrhea and their temperature will be taken. If it is higher than 100.4, a second test will be administered. If it remains high, the person will be immediately isolated and officials will discuss next steps.
Are those steps enough for teams to feel safe this week in Wichita and Hutchinson? Bill Pintard, manager for the Santa Barbara Foresters, thinks so. That’s why the seven-time champions are flying from California to play in the tournament.
“We will wear our masks and gloves and sanitize our hands and be as safe as possible,” Pintard said. “I believe (our team) has played in the most consecutive NBC World Series and that’s a big honor for us. This tournament means a lot and the NBC has ensured us of all of the things they are doing to keep us safe, so the players and the parents voted on it and we all want to play and compete for a championship.”
Teams that have been playing all summer are already used to what it’s like to play baseball games during a pandemic. They know about washing their hands, adhering to social-distance guidelines and not going out and about in their communities.
Jenks thinks that being on the road might actually make it easier on teams to follow the guidelines.
“You talk to Gregg Marshall or any coach and they’ll tell you that you have more control over your team when they’re on the road than when you’re at home,” Jenks said. “If you’re at home, then they go off to wherever they’re living and you don’t know what they’re doing. This way, teams will be able to keep their guys together and have a little more manageable process in place to keep them from leaving.”
The manager for the Hutchinson Monarchs, who recently captured the Sunflower Collegiate League championship, said his team was unanimous in support for continuing to play this summer.
“I believe the NBC is taking all of the precautions that they need to,” said Deron McCue. “The players have been here all summer and we take a lot of the same precautions already. I think if people wear their masks and do what they’re supposed to do, then I think everybody will be okay.”
Despite the field being cut by nearly a third of what it is accustomed to hosting, Jenks says he believes the teams present might actually be even stronger than in normal years. His reasoning: Since many leagues were forced to shut down this summer, top-end talent flocked to the leagues that were playing. The NBC World Series will offer some of its most talented teams yet this week.
Also, the tournament has gone away from pool play and Jenks thinks the introduction of a double-elimination style will make for more exciting games.
“I think from a talent point of view, we’re more stacked and jacked than we have been in previous years,” Jenks said. “And now with double elimination, you have to come in and buckle down and play your best from the start or else you’re in the loser’s bracket and have to work your way out of it. I think you’re going to see more urgency, more intensity to get things done.”
This story was originally published August 2, 2020 at 4:06 PM.
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