Working MLB Spring Training Security In Times Of Coronavirus

Story and photos by Tony Mangia

I have been working security detail during spring training for a Major League Baseball team in Florida —usually about five or six weeks every winter—over the past three years. It’s temporary position that allows a person like myself to have a part-time job, chat with people and earn a little extra income on the side — all while in a sunny, outdoor baseball setting. Along with about 50 other men and women — many retired with law enforcement, military and even some jail guard experience — we are the front line of protection at each minor league stadium at every game during the months of February and March before the regular season starts.

The security team incorporates three different steps at the ticket holder entrances to make sure the players and patrons are safe on the practice fields, locker rooms and while sitting in the stands or enjoying the concourses filled concession stands and facilities, respectively. 

Game day entrants must first pass through a physical inspection where our guests are asked to empty their pockets into a small bin while their bags are hand-checked for for banned items like alcohol, knives, mace, explosives and firearms (Well, it is Florida and many individuals have legal conceal and carry permits) along with have-to-be-checked in items like beach chairs and umbrellas. Next, patrons pass through a metal-detecting magnetometer — which we call The Mag — and if you set that baby off, you have the pleasure of being wanded by our third line of protection with an hand-held metal detector.

Pretty much standard procedure at any stadium or public gathering these days and the results prove that security details like ours are universally successful as both a result and a deterrent. 

Every year Floridians like to sneer that we have to withstand the influx of snowbirds who bring down their colds and flus from up north. But this year there is a new threat coming from wherever which could possibly appear at our gates and stealthily affect the well being of everyone inside. It is called COVID-19 —  otherwise going by the less scientific name of coronavirus.

While it’s easy to find an errant knife or bourbon-filled flask within our three-step physical and technological screenings at the stadium entrances, the invisible menace of this viral infection is impossible to detect at any gate without specialized medical testing kits.

Now, with the heavy national media coverage of the coronavirus hitting close to home —  a couple of deaths in Florida attributed to the serious respiratory illness — MLB’s spring-training sports venues like where I work are taking steps to limit the possibility of contracting the virus.  While discussions about contamination have been a summarily hot topic while working at the security gates, there’s still way more friendly chatter because we try to make the extra wait in line as pleasant and innocuous as possible for the patrons as well as me and my fellow workers.

So when someone in line coughs and then tells you they just got off a cruise, you wince with concern before pulling that bottle of hand sanitizer from your pocket after they pass. And there are lots of cruise ships docking in Florida.

Florida is also filled with the most susceptible victims of the airborne Coronavirus  — which has killed over 4,000 people worldwide — namely senior citizens and retirees. Some of my co-workers might go by that label as well and a good portion of our game patrons are of advanced age with health concerns. Although, at least outwardly, most of them seem more concerned with the dip of the stock market than a rise in coronavirus. 

But our stadium team’s concerns and safety of the fans aren’t taken lightly.  At every game we screen through all-sized bags filled with crumpled tissues, hairbrushes, diapers, used sippy cups and other personal items which have touched who-knows-what before they got to the stadium. Even without the threat of coronavirus, the task of a security person can be slightly intrusive and let’s say a little yucky.

So with three entrance gates containing 10 security checks welcoming an average of about 4,000 people for each of 16 exhibition games, I figure I will physically come in contact with at least 6,400 unfamiliar individuals at the gate this month not to mention touching their personal nicknacks and the various face-to-face chit-chats and numerous hand-to-hand fist-bumps  — which have replaced the more exposed high-five — fans expect me to respond to. 

That’s a lot of person-to-person interaction.

Our management has taken exceptional steps to help prevent the contamination of public facilities by coronavirus including providing more hand sanitizer dispensers around the stadium. The cleaning crews spray down bathrooms, disinfect the doors, handles, railings and even the stadium seats are wiped down before each game. It also minimizes the spread of the common flu too. 

As for the gate watchers, we have rubber gloves, disinfectant wipes and use sticks to probe through bags while looking for contraband. We even joke that the magnetic rays of the Mags might help kill off the virus. They don’t.

The lighthearted puns help hide a subliminal concern among me and my co-workers and, although nobody has quit and I have yet to see a face mask on a patron or a worker, you don’t have to be germaphobe to use common sense and take simple precautions like washing your hands more often and avoid touching your face. And the occasional “thank you” from an attendee makes us feel appreciated for doing the dirty work so the Grapefruit League games can thrive here in Florida during this unpredictable coronavirus scare.

While the new, extended foul line netting at stadiums makes it more difficult for fans to make contact with the players, that longtime ritual of getting up close with them in a more relaxed, small town atmosphere at spring training has been curtailed. MLB recently sent a memo to all 30 teams (15 which train and play in southern Florida) telling players avoid taking balls and pens from from fans because of coronavirus. Most players will still sign a few things — albeit wearing their batting gloves — but some teams have barred them from direct signings and distribute pre-signed items instead. 

MLB and local stadium crews are taking the coronavirus seriously, but the games are still fun and exciting while we do our best to make it a safe place to come out and enjoy a beer and a hot dog in-between the strikes and home runs.

Just say thanks to the event staff while you’re there.

UPDATE

MLB is delaying the start of the 2020 regular season by at least two weeks in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the league announced Thursday.

The league also said in a statement that spring training games have been suspended, starting at 4 p.m. ET Thursday.

Commissioner Rob Manfred and the league's owners held a conference call Thursday afternoon to formalize the plan.

"MLB will announce the effects on the schedule at an appropriate time and will remain flexible as events warrant, with the hope of resuming normal operations as soon as possible," MLB said in its statement.

The announcement came while some spring training games in Florida were still in progress. MLB followed the NBA, NHL, MLS and college basketball tournaments in altering schedules because of the pandemic.

MLB had been scheduled to open its season March 26, with all 30 teams in action. Manfred left open whether each team still would play 162 games.

Is this the shortest soccer free kick you will ever see? (VIDEO)

During Sunday night's International Champions Cup match at Red Bull Arena, Benfica was awarded an indirect free kick at the New York Red Bulls goal with the score tied at 1-1.

It wouldn't be anything special if not for the fact that the ball was spotted about three feet from the net — making it, quite possibly, the shortest free kick you will ever see in your lifetime.

Watch as the home team comically crams into the net making it almost impossible for the visiting Portuguese squad to score:



And they didn't.

The Red Bulls went ahead in the 56th minute and held on to win, 2-1, before driving away in a clown car.

New York City soccer club will share stadium with Yankees: Report

The New York Yankees will be sharing their valuable turf in the Bronx with New York City's new professional soccer team next year — at least on a temporary basis.

That's when New York City FC will play its inaugural Major League Soccer season at Yankee Stadium and most likely several more while the club looks for a permanent site for a soccer-specific stadium in one of the five boroughs — and possibly outside of the city.

NYC FC will play at least 17 home games in 2015.

As it stands, this arrangement between the MLS and MLB clubs is obviously less than ideal — and obviously a temporary solution. And for the first time, Yankee president Randy Levine said the co-owners might consider a site outside the five boroughs if no place can be found in the city for a soccer-specific stadium.

"We're going to take whatever time is necessary to get it right," NYC FC chief business officer Tim Pernetti said at a Yankee Stadium news conference Monday. "We're not going to create artificial deadlines. We're only going to get one shot to do it."

Asked if Major League Baseball had concerns of field overuse, Levine replied, "They think we know what we're doing. We know what we're doing."

Converting the field from one sport to another takes about three days. "We can work it in," Yankees COO Lonn Trost said. "We've analyzed it. We have tested it against existing schedules."

The Yankees' biggest challenge is removing and rebuilding the pitcher's mound before and after each soccer game. The ground crew would put a base under the mound and remove it using a claw-like structure.

Former Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, the soccer team's first season-ticket holder, was on hand for Monday's press conference. He was not concerned about pitching on the mound after repeated reconstructions.

"I don't think we have to worry about that because like Randy says, we know what we're doing," he said.

The stands will be downsized from a 49,642-seat baseball capacity to 33,444 for soccer, except for selected matches.

Since the Yankees are usually in the postseason, NYC FC can't schedule home games during its October stretch run.

David Beckham's planned Miami stadium will have nightclub (PHOTOS)

The first images of David Beckham's planned soccer stadium in Miami have been revealed and the 25,000-seat venue, set to be constructed at the Port of Miami, will include a restaurant and a nightclub in an open concourse, as well as a world-class sports arena.

The as-yet-unnamed stadium would host 17 MLS games during the regular season, between March and November, as well as additional post-season games, soccer friendlies, and other entertainment, reported the Miami Herald.  Most games would be on Saturday nights.

And no city knows Saturday night like Miami.

The port is one of four potential areas for the new stadium, which Beckham's team boasts will create another glittery destination for Miami residents — during and after the game.

A central plaza on the site will also include cafes, restaurants and shops.

Beckham and his partners will pay for the stadium without county or local taxpayer dollars, while the team will also help to increase soccer's visibility in Florida by creating a new youth academy.

The vision includes plans to regenerate the port's old bridge into the city's "high line," on which fans of the new team would walk to the match, as well as space for future development around the Port.

The other potential sites in the city are the FIU, the Miami International Center and Marlins Park — home of baseball outfit Miami Marlins.

The 25,000 seating capacity would make the new stadium the third-biggest venue in the MLS and means the team will have more seats than AmericanAirlines Arena — home to Miami Heat and NBA superstar LeBron James.

However, Beckham’s stadium plans for the new franchise are being opposed by the cruise line companies who dock in one of the world’s busiest ports.

Royal Caribbean Cruises have "deep reservations" and have tabled a strong objection because they have their own plans to develop the 12 acres that Beckham and his investors have pinpointed.

David Beckham underwear sighting in Beverly Hills

Tourists on a Beverly Hills celebrity sightseeing tour got a little more than they bargained for when their bus accidentally rounded a corner and startled soccer star David Beckham scampering around in nothing but his skivvies.

Like a tattooed, less hairy Bigfoot, Becks ducked into the wilds of zip code 90210 when the star-spangled van approached. Some of the surprised passengers were still able snap a few photos of the elusive well-toned figure before he disappeared.

Before anyone starts thinking that Beckham makes it a habit to wander around the tony neighborhood in his khaki-colored undies like some mythical freak, there is a logical explanation.

Beckham, 37, was in the supposedly secluded area of Beverly Hills modeling his H&M underwear line  for a photoshoot when the tourists had their chance meeting.

As the camera-shy Beckham tried to elude the iPhone-ready tourists, he grinned before ducking behind his natural  habitat — some palm trees and a couple of Mercedes.

Seeing the L.A. Galaxy star in his underwear is about as rare as a soccer player taking a flop — check out his Times Square billboard or Super Bowl commercial — but seeing knickers-wearing Beckham prancing around in the wild is a Close Encounter of the Weird Kind.

Obama rips on Beckham about underwear line

If President Obama doesn't get another four years in office, he'll be able to make a killing on the comedy circuit.  Yesterday, the President welcomed the Los Angeles Galaxy to the East Room of the White House to congratulate the team for winning the MLS Cup last November and had them rolling on the carpet.

Obama got the laugh fest going by calling the Galaxy "the Miami Heat of soccer" before turning his attention to 37-year old David Beckham.

"We also have a young up-and-comer on the team, a guy named David Beckham," said Obama.  "I have to say I gave David a hard time— I said half his teammates could be his kids."

He turned to Becks.

"We're getting old, David."

Ba da bum.

Obama took time out to praise the midfielder— for playing in the MSL Cup final after a mid-season spinal fracture and hamstring injury— before going back into his Chris Christie— I mean— Chris Rock routine again.

"He is tough," Obama said.  "In fact, it is a rare man who can be that tough on the field and also have his own line of underwear."

The soccer star, who was to Obama's left, leaned back in laughter.  Beckham's H&M underwear ads gained notoriety after the commercials were shown during the Super Bowl.

After giving a hand for the comedy styling of the Pres, team captain Landon Donovan presented Obama with a soccer ball and a Galaxy jersey with Obama and No. 1 on the back.

20,000 soccer fans sing National Anthem in unison

At the Portland Timbers MLS home opener last night, rather than having a single person belt out the National Anthem at the beginning of the match, over 20,000 fans in the stands sang as one.

Sheets of rain and chilly temperatures didn't stop the wildly enthusiastic fans— known as the "Timbers Army"— from singing a fine rendition of The Star Spangled Banner at sold-out JELD-WEN Field.

 They even finished it under 1:30— which has to be a record these days.



It was a stirring moment before the nationally-televised game started and it got even better for the home team who came back from a one goal deficit to defeat the Philadelphia Union, 3-1.

It was nice to see players— a lot of them non-American— being moved by the scene they were surrounded by and not scratching their crotches or unloading a gob of chaw during the song.