Tag: coronavirus

Horse racing people pleased with news that Queen’s Plate will run on Sept.12 — Toronto Sun

The Queen’s Plate will be served up on Saturday Sept.12. Read More

Horse racing people pleased with news that Queen’s Plate will run on Sept.12 — Toronto Sun

The Queen’s Plate will be served up on Saturday Sept.12.

North America’s oldest continuously run horse race was originally scheduled to take place on June 27 but was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, with the Ontario government last week announcing a framework to gradually reopen the province, Woodbine Entertainment set a plan in motion to start thoroughbred race — without spectators — on June 6 at Woodbine Racetrack in Etobicoke (and June 5 for harness racing at Woodbine Mohawk in Milton).

The Victoria Day announcement that the $1 million Queen’s Plate will be run this year comes as welcome news for action-starved horse players, not to mention those in the racing industry.

“The history of The Queen’s Plate is so rich and the fact that it’s been held every year since the inaugural race in 1860 is remarkable,” said Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson. “We are honoured to be able to continue this rich history in face of adversity by hosting the race for the 161st consecutive year.”

As part of the preparations for The Queen’s Plate, the Woodbine Oaks presented by Budweiser and The Plate Trial will be held on Saturday, August 15. WE’s full thoroughbred stakes schedule is expected to be announced on May 20.

The Woodbine backstretch has remained open for essential workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and last week jockeys were allowed back on site to breeze horses. Timed training and gate training has also started at the track.

All the activities at the backstretch are being conducted with strict safety protocols in place, such as the wearing of face masks, social distancing and having everyone’s temperature taken when they arrive at the track.

Clippers plan to reopen practice facility Monday for voluntary workouts — Press Telegram

The Clippers announced Sunday evening that they will be the latest NBA team to reopen their practice facility on a limited basis, opening the doors at the Honey Training Center in Playa Vista on Monday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic suspended the NBA season March 11 and subsequently shuttered team practice facilities.…

Clippers plan to reopen practice facility Monday for voluntary workouts — Press Telegram

Preakness set for Oct. 3, fate of Belmont still undecided — nyob.news

Two-thirds of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown now have rescheduled race dates. It just remains to be seen when the New York Racing Association will attempt to conduct the 152nd running of the Belm.

Preakness set for Oct. 3, fate of Belmont still undecided — nyob.news

144th Running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 18, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland.  Credit: Getty Images/Rob Carr

Two-thirds of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown now have rescheduled race dates.

It just remains to be seen when the New York Racing Association will attempt to conduct the 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes, typically the final leg of the series. For now, it is still scheduled for June 6, though NYRA has postponed the start of the spring/summer meet at Belmont Park in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Saturday was supposed to be the 145th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Instead, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced on NBC that the race is now scheduled for Oct. 3.

The Kentucky Derby, typically Triple Crown’s first leg, had already been re-scheduled for Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky instead of the 146th running taking place on May 2 as originally planned.

Some clarity on the Belmont Stakes is expected soon.

On Friday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced horse racing could resume in New York state – without fans in the grandstands – on June 1.

NYRA president and CEO Dave O’Rourke released a statement on Friday applauding Gov. Cuomo’s decision and indicating, “NYRA will announce race dates and a corresponding stakes schedule for the 2020 spring/summer meet at Belmont Park in the very near future.”

“This is a reasoned and responsible decision by Governor Cuomo that will enable horse racing to resume in a way that prioritizes health and safety while recognizing that NYRA is the cornerstone of an industry responsible for 19,000 jobs and $3 billion in annual economic impact,” O’Rourke said. “We look forward to the resumption of live racing at Belmont Park with all appropriate health and safety protocols in place to support the hundreds of small businesses, family-owned farms and thousands of hourly workers who form the backbone of thoroughbred racing in New York.”Subscribe to Sports Now newsletter

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NYRA continued to conduct racing without fans at Aqueduct from March 13-15 before announcing on March 19 it was suspending its meet.

However, work has continued at Belmont Park, just without the live racing.

Around 1,400 horses are currently on the 440-acre property with about 800 backstretch workers maintaining the horses’ training regimens.

NYRA officials have sent a detailed proposal to Gov. Cuomo as to how racing can resume – quickly – without a live audience.

“NYRA has developed a comprehensive safety plan that builds on our experience of operating training safely and responsibly during the pandemic, and includes extensive protocols to keep our community safe,” O’Rourke said.

German Bundesliga Returned Without Fans And It Was A Weird Scene — NESN.com

The German Bundesliga on Saturday became the first of the major European soccer leagues to make a return after the coronavirus pandemic shut down sports across the globe, but it didn’t exactly pick up where it left off. Things looked a little different because, of course, resuming the season amid COVID-19 concerns means extra precautions…

German Bundesliga Returned Without Fans And It Was A Weird Scene — NESN.com

The German Bundesliga on Saturday became the first of the major European soccer leagues to make a return after the coronavirus pandemic shut down sports across the globe, but it didn’t exactly pick up where it left off. Things looked a little different because, of course, resuming the season amid COVID-19 concerns means extra precautions were taken to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Especially after a few of its players tested positive for the virus leading up to the first matchday since March. Between not having fans and social distancing efforts, the welcomed return of the Bundesliga was also a bit of a weird scene. Let’s just say, elite European soccer is just not the same without fans. Especially a league that’s normally so accessible to fans, as the Bundesliga is. Rather than the sound of chants and vuvuzelas from the crowd, you could hear echos of the players communication on the field loud and clear. Still, as tradition, after Borussia Dortmund defeated Schalke 04, its players played tribute to the “Yellow Wall,” or the would-be section of their fans behind the goal that would be there during normal times. Maybe it wasn’t the same without fans, but it sure beats nothing at all. Admittedly, rebroadcasts of games only move the needle so much. For soccer fans, there’s really nothing like posting up on the couch with a cup of coffee for a Saturday morning of futebol. And while things were different from a fan perspective, imagine being one of the players or staffers in attendance? On the bench were reserves from every team donning face masks and sitting a few feet apart from each other. And post-game media interviews weren’t your usual scrum of reporters suffocating players with their recorders. Social distancing efforts led to some pretty strange goal celebrations, too, with elbow bumps and awkward dancing. The social distancing celebration thing seemed a little strange to some fans, especially the ones being reminded that soccer is very much a contact sport. The good news is, the bizarreness continues Sunday and Monday with three more matches, so maybe we’ll get used to sports during COVID-19 times soon.

Read more at: https://nesn.com/2020/05/german-bundesliga-returned-without-fans-and-it-was-a-weird-scene/

Reports: MLB submits detailed health plan to players in effort to play amid coronavirus — Press Telegram

If Major League Baseball players are to return to action this summer, they will be playing in an environment that looks significantly different from what they left in March. Aside from the expected diligent testing and temperature checks, the changes include everything from pitchers bringing their own baseballs to the bullpen, wearing masks in the…

Reports: MLB submits detailed health plan to players in effort to play amid coronavirus — Press Telegram

Lakers plan to reopen practice facility, but for now Dwight Howard will stay in Georgia with family — Daily News

Dwight Howard, for one, won’t be on hand Saturday when the Lakers plan to reopen their practice facility, with the blessing of L.A. County health officials. On a limited basis, the team is expected to open their doors at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic…

Lakers plan to reopen practice facility, but for now Dwight Howard will stay in Georgia with family — Daily News

“I’m in Georgia right now,” Howard said Friday afternoon on a Zoom video conference with reporters. “Probably will stay here right now until everything is cleared up, until we can leave. I would love to go back to L.A. and start working out with the team and everything like that, but I’ve been training here and once everything opens up, then I can travel on to L.A. and start working.”
In accordance with those set forth by public health officials, the NBA has issued guidelines for teams that have begun reopening their training facilities for voluntary, social-distanced workouts:

• No more than four players will be permitted at a facility at any one time;
• No head or assistant coaches can participate;
• Group activity (including practices and scrimmages) remains prohibited;
• Players continue to be barred from using non-team facilities (such as public health clubs or fitness centers) to work out.
Howard — who is surrounded by family at his Georgia home as he grieves the loss of his son’s mother, Melissa Rios, a few weeks ago — said he and his teammates don’t have concerns about the NBA’s rules for returning. They’re most concerned with getting back to their championship chase, he said.



“I think everybody’s anxious to get back playing,” Howard said. “I think we’ve all felt like this was our season and this was our time. It’s more so everyone’s just anxious to play.”
As for how Howard feels about potentially playing at a single site, sans fans, as some have suggested?
“I want to go to L.A.,” said the 6-foot-10 showman, who famously feeds off the crowd’s energy. “I want to play in front of Laker Nation, that’s what I want to do. I don’t know how we could play a game without our fans, I don’t know how anybody could … it’s like that’s the energy — we feed off that, we feed off the crowd. Especially at home.”
Games without fans might most disadvantage the Lakers, considering widespread support they’re used to in every NBA city.
“Everywhere’s at home for us,” noted Howard, who was averaging 7.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in fewer than 20 minutes per game when the season was suspended with the 49-14 Lakers sitting atop the Western Conference standings.
“When we’re hearing ‘Ko-be, Ko-be” or whatever we’re hearing, that gives us more energy. ….

Should NBA Go With Mark Cuban’s Idea And Start NBA Season On Christmas Full Time? — NESN.com

The coronavirus is going to change sports in ways we can’t even comprehend yet. One potential change that is gaining more and more momentum right now is not only a short-term tweak to the NBA schedule but perhaps a permanent alteration to the hoops calendar. As the NBA begins to ramp up its efforts in…

Should NBA Go With Mark Cuban’s Idea And Start NBA Season On Christmas Full Time? — NESN.com

The coronavirus is going to change sports in ways we can’t even comprehend yet. One potential change that is gaining more and more momentum right now is not only a short-term tweak to the NBA schedule but perhaps a permanent alteration to the hoops calendar. As the NBA begins to ramp up its efforts in an attempt to find a safe date and way to resume its season after pausing due to COVID-19, the league is doing so with a measured approach. NBA commissioner Adam Silver insists the league has plenty of time to make a decision, as the parties involved are more than content with postponing the start of next season in order to crown a 2020 champion. Most of the conversation has centered around starting next season on Christmas Day. That would mean one of two things: Either the 2020-21 season will be shortened, or next season will extend through late summer. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban hopes it’s the latter, and he hopes that’s a schedule the NBA adopts full time. “I’ve been saying that for 15 years, and the reason I’ve been shot down is there’s a thing called H.U.T.: households using television,” Cuban explained during an appearance on the “Pardon My Take” podcast Friday. “During the summer, that drops, right? A lot fewer people are watching TV because they can be outside. In the past, that was a big deal, so you wanted to end by June to maximize when people would watch on TV. But you guys know as well as anybody, TV’s changed. TV has changed a lot. So we’re gonna have a lot more options and a lot more flexibility to start later and end later. Rather than taking on football with our (early-season) games, let’s let them get close to the playoff and go wholeheartedly starting Christmas Day.” More: Here’s What NBA Players Poll Revealed About Resuming Season Whether the NBA makes that change full time remains to be seen, but perhaps they could use this year as a trial balloon. Everything is trending in that direction already. As Cuban explained, that sort of timeframe would give the NBA a pretty big window to finish the current season, with Cuban saying they could restart the league as late as July. “Let’s just assume we don’t start next season until Christmas Day,” he said. “If we work backward from there … let’s just say we happen to have 60 days (in between seasons). So, November, October and then a training camp — so we’d have to be done (with this season) by mid-September. … If we start sometime in July, we might be able to make it.” That certainly would be an interesting scenario. If this became a full-time thing, sports fans desperate for something other than regular-season baseball in late summer would also have the NBA playoffs to watch. As Cuban says, the goal is to be done by mid-September, which is right when the NFL season begins. Maybe the NBA tweaks its schedule so that the final game of the playoffs couldn’t be played before the football season begins, and we’d time it up perfectly so maybe Game 7 of the NBA Finals is on Labor Day weekend, and the NFL begins the very next weekend. All the while, you’d also have the MLB stretch run. Not bad, huh? Of course, the more pressing issue right now for the NBA and every league is to ensure a safe return to play. But if they’re willing (and even preferring) to wait, they might give themselves their best chance of getting it done, which could potentially set up a change that forever alters the sports landscape.

More: NBA Hopes Majority Of Team Facilities Will Be Open By May 18

Read more at: https://nesn.com/2020/05/should-nba-go-with-mark-cubans-idea-and-start-nba-season-on-christmas-full-time/

Celtics’ Grant Williams Launches Virtual Mentoring Program During Pandemic — NESN.com

Grant Williams is giving back to Boston from afar. The Boston Celtics forward started mentoring high school kids last month as a way of making a positive contribution to his new community, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. From his hometown of Charlotte, N.C, where he has been living with Celtics teammate Kemba Walker during the…

Celtics’ Grant Williams Launches Virtual Mentoring Program During Pandemic — NESN.com

Lakers’ practice facility will reopen on limited basis Saturday — Press Telegram

With the blessing of L.A. County health officials, the Lakers will reopen their practice facility on a limited basis Saturday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic suspended the NBA season March 11 and subsequently shuttered team training centers, reported the Athletic’s Shams Chanaria on Friday morning. The facility will be open to players…

Lakers’ practice facility will reopen on limited basis Saturday — Press Telegram

Celtics’ Danny Ainge Hopeful NBA Will Finish 2019-20 Season, Open Practice Facilities — NESN.com

Danny Ainge shares the same hope of every NBA fan. The Celtics president of basketball operations joined ESPN’s Zach Lowe’s “The Lowe Podcast” on Thursday to talk all things basketball, including how he hopes Boston’s practice facilities will re-open next week if Massachusetts loosens the stay-at-home restrictions. “Massachusetts has been one of the slowest in…

Celtics’ Danny Ainge Hopeful NBA Will Finish 2019-20 Season, Open Practice Facilities — NESN.com

Marner ponders impact of coronavirus on NHL, Leafs re-sign Brooks to two-year pact — Toronto Sun

As the COVID-19 global pandemic continues to make an impact around the world, Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner has concerns about the National Hockey League’s possible return to the ice. Read More

Marner ponders impact of coronavirus on NHL, Leafs re-sign Brooks to two-year pact — Toronto Sun

As the COVID-19 global pandemic continues to make an impact around the world, Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner has concerns about the National Hockey League’s possible return to the ice.

While playing an online video game with a group of players, the subject of the NHL resuming action was raised.

“What my thought on this is, OK, I’m all down for starting everything back up, let’s rock. But what if someone gets sick and dies?” Marner said on the video, which was posted to Twitter on Wednesday. “What happens? It’s awful to think about, but still.”

While that could be a question on the minds of some, the NHL, if it does wind up resuming the 2019-20 season, or starting the playoffs some time in the coming months, would have every possibility in regard to the coronavirus explored and answered, to the best of its ability.

“Interesting to see what will happen,” Marner said on the video of returning to play hockey in general. “It’s the same with the NBA. If one league plays, then all leagues have to play. If we don’t play, the amount of money we’re going to lose is going to be …”
Marner also raised the issue of players such as the Montreal Canadiens’ Max Domi, who has Type 1 diabetes. Domi was a teammate of Marner with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.

“If he gets it (the coronavirus), he is in one (situation), like bad,” Marner said.

more…….

Marner ponders impact of coronavirus on NHL, Leafs re-sign Brooks to two-year pact — Toronto Sun