COVID-19 Prompts Las Vegas Aviators Season To Start In May
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
The Las Vegas Aviators, the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, are now scheduled to begin the 2021 season on May 6 against the Sacramento River Cats at Las Vegas Ballpark in Downtown Summerlin. The Aviators were previously going to open the Triple-A season in April.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred delayed the Triple-A season by about four weeks because delaying the Triple-A season until May will increase the likelihood that Minor League Baseball players may be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine before the start of the season.
As a result, it will be necessary for Major League Baseball teams to use an alternate site arrangement for all Triple-A teams at the beginning of the season.
In addition, to the extent that MLB teams must replace players on their active roster in April as a result of Covid-19 infections, the replacement process can be accomplished more quickly and safely if the Triple-A players are located at the alternate sites.
When Major League Baseball Spring Training concludes at the end of March, Triple-A teams are expected to continue training at “alternate site” locations within close driving proximity to their Major League Baseball parent cities.
The Aviators will announce further information regarding ticket policy in the coming days and the revised 2021 schedule when determined by MLB.
