Japan's professional baseball teams are taking various steps to prevent infections with the new coronavirus at the practice games that have been held since June 2, based on guidelines that the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization is currently working on.
Managers, coaches and other staff members are wearing face masks during the games. So are the home plate umpires, who stand close to the players. "Air high fives" are being made, instead of actually slapping each other's palms, when players return to the bench after hitting a home run or when a team wins a game.
Cory Spangenberg, a new member of Saitama Seibu Lions who is batting well at practice games, said he's gotten used to the new measures and that his team is thriving.
"[Regarding the new measures], it seems like we still have to be patient," said manager Tatsunori Hara of the Yomiuri Giants. "With that sentiment in mind, the stage is set for our team to take off."
Reserve players for the Yokohama DeNA Baystars wait inside the spectator stands near the bench, wearing masks and sitting a few seats away from each other.
The Hanshin Tigers, in principle, are prohibiting players from eating out during their tour. The team is choosing the time of meals at hotels so as not to overlap with other customers, and is considering not providing food buffet-style but as individual meals and via room service.
Teams are also taking a new approach to the media. On entering the stadiums, members of the press corps have been asked to take their temperature and describe their recent actions. During post-game interviews, the number of reporters is limited to a small group and they are asked to stay a certain distance from the managers and players.
Online press conferences have become a familiar sight.
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