‘Sometime They’ll Give A (Spring Training) And Nobody Will Come’

Back in the day (as they say), it was required reading for American Literature students; a book-length poem entitled ‘The People, Yes’ written by award-winning journalist/author Carl Sandburg in 1936 about impending World War II.

In the poem, a little girl uttered the line: ‘Sometime they’ll give a war and nobody will come.’ The line was said as the young girl watched a group of soldiers march by during a parade. It’s from a part of the poem in which Sandburg seems to foresee the potential devastation of a second World War (he was right):

The little girl saw her first troop parade and asked,

‘What are those?’

‘Soldiers.’

‘What are soldiers?’

‘They are for war. They fight and each tries to kill as many of the other side as he can.’

The girl held still and studied.

‘Do you know … I know something?’

‘Yes, what is it you know?’

‘Sometime they’ll give a war and nobody will come.’

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As they do every day, on Monday evening, the LA County Public Health Department posted the daily COVID-19 numbers – just from LA County – on Twitter:

(Note the ‘to date’ numbers).

Worthy of note, the just-concluded week of January 3-10 had the highest number of reported cases of COVID-19 in a single week since the onset of the pandemic.

At about the same time, The Signal, the Santa Clarita Valley’s local newspaper, posted this on Twitter:

Do you see where I’m going with this? Although it is beginning to look as though Spring Training 2022 may actually happen and may actually begin on time (on or about February 14), the significant increase in newly reported COVID-19 cases (and associated deaths) may force the Dodgers and White Sox – and quite possibly all of baseball – to cancel Spring Training 2022 for fans.

I certainly hate being the bearer of (potential) horrible news, but the cold hard facts – and COVID-19 numbers – are impossible to ignore.

There is an increasing chance that beautiful Camelback Ranch in Glendale, AZ, could look like this when Spring Training games begin in 2022. (Photo courtesy of LA Dodgers)

If there is a silver lining to all of this, Camelback Ranch, the Spring Training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox, posted this on Twitter earlier in the day on Monday:

Hope Springs Eternal.

Play Ball!

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4 Responses to “‘Sometime They’ll Give A (Spring Training) And Nobody Will Come’”

  1. Jesse Pearce says:

    Glendale AZ is continuing to spike in Covid cases, and local school district has mandated masks at all locations (not optional). My wife and I have already decided to forgo Spring Training for another year (and counting). Just too much uncertainty to purchase airline tickets and make game reservations. Even if Camelback allows a certain number of fans at games, I am certain that walking around on the backfields to watch workouts will be banned.

  2. @Dodgers why not use loanmart field? @RCQuakes

    • Jesse Pearce says:

      While the field is terrific, the lack of accommodations for players, and limited training fields/batting cages, bullpens, etc. make it impractical for a 40-man roster trying to get ready for the regular season. And, travel for Cactus League games would be a problem. Camelback is ideal for Dodgers preparations, with or without fans in attendance.

  3. Stevebendodger says:

    Jesse you are correct. The risk reward is not looking good. Stay home stay safe. Another day in the future should be better.

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