Playing in an empty stadium is a terrible decision

[Tx Oriole]

Without fans there is zero reason to play a game. This show continued incompetence by the Orioles. The Nationals say they were not asked about playing games at their stadium. There are numerous minor league stadiums and college stadiums where the game could have been played. They could have donated the proceeds to the people who were impacted by the riots.

This has never happened before as no one has been so short sighted before. NFL games move because of the snow. dodgers games moved due to their riots. They had plenty of notice.

Be happy the O's won. Not going to put all blame on the O's.

there's things we don't know about.

[JohnnyEutaw]

Without fans there is zero reason to play a game. This show continued incompetence by the Orioles. The Nationals say they were not asked about playing games at their stadium. There are numerous minor league stadiums and college stadiums where the game could have been played. They could have donated the proceeds to the people who were impacted by the riots.

This has never happened before as no one has been so short sighted before. NFL games move because of the snow. dodgers games moved due to their riots. They had plenty of notice.

It is kind of scary to me that they can't protect the stadium from what is basically a handful of rioters.

[Can_of_corn]

It is kind of scary to me that they can't protect the stadium from what is basically a handful of rioters.

Was the stadium damaged in any way?

[mdbdotcom]

It is kind of scary to me that they can't protect the stadium from what is basically a handful of rioters.

I think it has more to do with the city and state not being able to guarantee that people attending the game would enjoy the kind of experience they are used to as they take the light rail, park, walk to and from the park, go to a nearby venue before or after the game, etc.

[Hallas]

I don't think riots and municipal unrest is on the list of contingency plans for most MLB teams. It may have been a terrible decision, but it was a terrible decision in a situation where all possible options are terrible. Given the scheduling issues already present due to the 2 missed games and the ongoing safety issues I feel like the decision to play in an empty field was the least terrible decision possible.

[BohKnowsBmore]

I know this because they routinely say it in interviews when asked about the crowd noise. I am most definitely not a world class athlete, but I can tell you that I never even noticed the crowd when I was playing ball. Many times I would be told about something that happened in the stands after the game and I was clueless. I missed my Mom or Dad showing up a bunch of times in high school. I'm done trying to convince anyone of this issue. Watch the game and you tell me. They look just like normal.

Well if a guy went up and said "yes, I'm thrown off by opposing crowd noise" you can guarantee he'd get a lot more of it.

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[BohKnowsBmore]

Same may be true on Monday May 11th, should we start making plans to move that series as well?

If there is still a declared state of emergency maybe.

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[BohKnowsBmore]

That is a good point, but I also tend to believe that the best athletes really do have uncanny focus.

I don't disagree. I just am not very sure them saying it doesn't in post game interviews, etc. Really tells us it is not a factor.

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[weams]

Was the stadium damaged in any way?

Rick Dempsey got a broken window. It is kinda the warehouse/stadium.

[Crazysilver03]

It is kind of scary to me that they can't protect the stadium from what is basically a handful of rioters.

That isn't the issue at all. The bigger issue is that they would have to divert protection from other areas to do it.

[Redskins Rick]

That isn't the issue at all. The bigger issue is that they would have to divert protection from other areas to do it.

Not to mention, get support staff into the stadium, wasn't Mass Transit operating on a limited basis in some parts?

[weams]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Outside of OPACY talking to fans about what Buck & O's players had to say about what's going on in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Baltimore?src=hash">#Baltimore</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WNEW">@WNEW</a> <a href="http://t.co/rMGq6Etsvl">pic.twitter.com/rMGq6Etsvl</a></p>— PJ Elliott (@PJElliottRadio) <a href="

">April 30, 2015</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[weams]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">High-fives. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Birdland?src=hash">#Birdland</a> <a href="http://t.co/DtLpOgjDrc">pic.twitter.com/DtLpOgjDrc</a></p>— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) <a href="

">April 29, 2015</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Satyr3206]

Now the Orioles are an answer to a trivia question. Who is the only ML Team to win a game with 0 fans in attendance? Official or asterisk aside that's interesting.

You have to find the silver lining in every situation.

[atomic]

Manny says the team is ther to inspire the fans. I don't know how playing in front of an empty stadium and then changing the upcoming series to Florida is inspiring anyone.