Good news sports fans, baseball is officially (almost) back, back, back. The return to play plan was not without a ton drama, but MLB teams have finally reported to summer camp, which was postponed from the spring due to the coronavirus pandemic. Players began arriving to their respective parks and stadiums this week, and it is a beautiful sight to baseball fans and one that may feel too good to be true at first.
In late June, MLB announced a 60-game season for 2020, with Opening Day set for July 23 or 24. Before the season could get started, of course, players need to report to "spring" training, which was scheduled to begin on July 1.
Seeing players actually walk up to stadiums together for "summer camp" definitely made the highly anticipated return of the sport feel more real. Here are some videos and snapshots of MLB stars returning to their respective ballparks:
Here are the defending World Series champions.
Hey teammates! @Nationals @MLB #WereBack pic.twitter.com/Brt0KXcEaV
— Aaron Barrett (@aaronbarrett30) July 1, 2020
The Phillies quoted fictional Pennsylvania-native Michael Scott.
Okay, it's happening! Everybody stay calm! pic.twitter.com/UCQqElDdXy
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 1, 2020
Trying to stay calm is a trend.
Try to stay calm
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) July 1, 2020
Try to stay calm
Try to stay calm
Try to stay calm
Try to stay calm
Try to stay calm pic.twitter.com/MtaMxn8zhY
Yes, baseball is back, but we're still in a pandemic, so keep wearing your masks and washing your hands.
👁👄👁 pic.twitter.com/utGdmMJfCO
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 1, 2020
Social distancing is also important.
My favorite kind of social distancing. pic.twitter.com/V3GdNoJIGE
— Alex Wood (@Awood45) July 2, 2020
I spotted zero trash cans. 2020 really is unprecedented.
We're ready. Let's play ball. #ForTheH pic.twitter.com/j4fvNY6uNy
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 1, 2020
Aaron Judge is back at it again.
Back At It pic.twitter.com/7HLJsZ9ur2
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 2, 2020
Rolling up to Fenway Park.
📍 Summer Camp 2020 pic.twitter.com/pi8Nu5Rbuq
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 1, 2020
Hey Alexa, play "Home Sweet Home."
🐃 sighting at @CitiField. 👀 (via @WRamosC3’s Instagram) pic.twitter.com/zPCENSACHu
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 1, 2020
Sound up for this one.
Man, we have missed that sound. ⚾️💥 pic.twitter.com/hBk5A5vt54
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 1, 2020
Smile for the camera!
The boys are back in town. #WelcomeBackCam #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/dDoYkKSqln
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 2, 2020
Not a bad view.
ツインズの本拠地
— 前田健太(Kenta Maeda)マエケン (@maeken1988) July 2, 2020
ターゲット フィールド
いい球場!!好きな雰囲気! pic.twitter.com/vKIzOg1Hnl
A Diddy classic to sum up the Diamondbacks being back at Chase Field.
🎶 We're coming home, we're coming home. Tell the world we're coming home. 🎶 pic.twitter.com/J24OjUxNGc
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 1, 2020
Back at home with masks to match.
Good morning. pic.twitter.com/oXpKmmssQe
— Pirates (@Pirates) July 2, 2020
Guess who's back, back again.
Sho's back on the mound. 👀 pic.twitter.com/flXg9Twt8Y
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 3, 2020
The three essentials: Mask, chain, bat.
Mask ✔️
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 3, 2020
Bat ✔️
Chain✔️
Let’s ride, @ronaldacunajr24. pic.twitter.com/5UQW6Y3uPq
Getting ready for the season.
Back on the field 💪 pic.twitter.com/Pd6DFIV49i
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 2, 2020
Pose for the camera.
Hi, @Klew_5! 👋 pic.twitter.com/x7v9n3vhu6
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) July 3, 2020