Phoenix, come in Phoenix, we need some scores.

Phoenix, come in Phoenix, we need some scores.

Answered Phoenix, well we are in the third game of our triple header, and awaiting results from a doubleheader in our area, so you can either hang on or get back to us.

Sounds like a future Major League baseball roundup. Only not around the entire United States, but in Phoenix, Ariz. Yup, could be. Team owners, general managers, even players, are intrigued by option of putting all teams in Phoenix area, playing in empty parks, and if the worldwide threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues to shut down all sports in this country, it could turn into an extended period if MLB adopts an All-Arizona start to the season. It might not be the best solution, but it’s currently the one talked most about.

Ah Phoenix. It’s in a dry state with high temperatures, in June temperatures reach a high of 105 in Phoenix and start to dip down in late afternoon. No breeze, no wind, a chance of warm rain, and a need for tasting cold drinks to cool down. Not bad for residents who are used to it, but who knows how it would affect all 30 Major League Baseball teams. Presumably many games would start in order to be in prime time on the East Coast.

There would be games shown on television, listened on the radio, and post-game videos. And the center of all this would be Chase Field and its retractable roof and air conditioning that would make it a site of doubleheaders and even triple headers. Now given the heat and the complicated schedule, active rosters could be extended from 26. With teams isolated and the status of minor leagues uncertain, extra players also could be kept in the group.

There’s much more involved. There’s money matters, the tube, testing, isolation, even robots. Yes, it is not the best of everything, but if Major League Baseball wants to get its season underway and play ball, this at least becomes a way to accomplish it.

No fans in the stands, no media, just radio and television crews, and no home team except for the Phoenix Diamondbacks. Chase Field, once the spring training home of the Oakland Athletics and known as Phoenix Municipal Stadium, is within 50 miles of Arizona’s 10 spring training ballparks, and the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. There’s also an option to [lay at Grand Canyon University’s Brazell Field in Phoenix.

Bur Chase Field could host several games each day following a its switch from a grass field to an artificial surface. With grass, it couldn’t be done because of the beating it takes, but with synthetic grass, no problem.

Some baseball officials say they think we ought to wait until we can present the game in its best light. Others thought we could just jump in and trust that when healthy officials decide it’s OK, we’ll be able to do it, but added that playing in front of empty seats would be quite a difference, but in the meanwhile, do something about that would really help the healing process.

Then there’s Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego who maintained player and public health leads every single priority.

“There’s not a person on the planet,” she said, “who doesn’t want to get back to a time and place marked by familiarity, and there is nothing more familiar than sports, especially in our country, and especially with the great American pastime of baseball.”

As for money matters, it’s how much would it cost to put teams and the personnel that travel with them in hotels for double that usual time, but there would be savings with not needing charter flights for road trips. Then again,the absence of ticket revenue would be damaging for most teams. Would salaries be cut? Who gets to sell stadium signage?