Sports teams have had to make many adjustments to keep their players and fans safe during the coronavirus pandemic, as Major League Baseball has done as their season opened this month. That’s led to some unusual scenes, including teams placing cardboard cutouts of fans in the seats, and one lonely mascot forlornly trying to rally an empty stadium.

The MLB unveiled a shortened schedule for the 2020 season, after spring training was cancelled and the season’s original expected opening day delayed due to the pandemic. The new schedule includes 60 games, with an “emphasis on geographic proximity.”

AP sportswriter Dan Gelston attended the Philadelphia Phanatics Sunday game versus the Miami Marlins, the third in a series the two teams played this week, and tweeted several updates from the game.

Marlins – Phillies pic.twitter.com/z2aPoTbv2R

— Dan Gelston (@APgelston) July 26, 2020

The Phillies and Marlins had each won one game in their series so far, with the Marlins prevailing 5-2 on Friday, June 24, and the Phillies getting a 7-1 victory on Saturday, June 25.

The Phillies mascot, the “Phillie Phanatic,” tried his best to rally his team. Gelston posted a short video clip of the Phanatic attempting to get the wave started — a tough prospect when the only fans present are made of cardboard.

The Phanatic does the wave! pic.twitter.com/C7749WR4jo

— Dan Gelston (@APgelston) July 26, 2020

Gelston’s 20-second video quickly went viral, racking up several hundred thousand views.

CNN Business News Editor Alexis Benveniste tweeted Gelston’s video, calling it “heartbreaking (and kind of hilarious).”

Please watch this heartbreaking (and kind of hilarious) video of the Phillies mascot doing the wave by himself pic.twitter.com/GEOmhEPCq9

— Alexis Benveniste (@apbenven) July 26, 2020

NBC Sports captured another angle of the Phanatic’s efforts, trying to get the wave started but failing to inspire his cardboard friends.

The Philly Phanatic is a 2020 mood pic.twitter.com/hbqjSRa8G5

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) July 26, 2020

The Phanatic also had fun heckling a cardboard Marlins fan, dancing in front of the faux fan and even spraying its face with silly string.

Gotta Love it!!!

The Phillie Phanatic is heckling a fake Marlins fan in the stands today hahaha @6abc @Phillies #Phillies #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/PL5yMTDKN0

— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) July 26, 2020

Sadly for the fluffy green guy, his efforts were in vain, and the Marlins got the W, 11-6.

from Mediaite https://ift.tt/30NUwho