Red Sox Won’t Spit, Hug or High Five?

Wow, to say that the new MLB code of conduct concerning Covid-19 is thorough? Is a gigantic understatement. Here are a few baseball traditions that will go by the wayside if this plan is accepted.

No Spitting?

This hilarious scene from 'The Naked Gun' is pretty much right on target. Spitting and baseball go together like salt and pepper. Now that chewing tobacco has all but been replaced with sunflower seeds, I can't imagine how this is going to be enforced?

I can't envision the umpires giving spit warnings?

It will probably be handled by the league. The players will first be warned and then given a small fine for breaking this safety law. For 25 years of a player's life, all they've known is to spit repeatedly when on the ball field. I have to think this is almost involuntary at this point.

The 'No Spitting' rule looks great on paper, but, like many rules on the diamond, I think this will be ignored after a couple weeks.

No High Fives or Hugs?

As this Red Sox video above clearly shows, 'high fives' can be dangerous!

In addition to that, hugs between players will also be banned.

One of my favorite things about the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox was watching their elaborate high five and hugging routines that were custom made between each player. Those days are gone.

The strangest aspect of this will be celebrations after a walk off hit or home run. Will teams choreograph 'Socially Distanced Celebration Dances'?

These two rules are only the tip of the iceberg. Check out this Yahoo Sports article for all the new safety rules right here.