'A lot has to go right' for major league baseball to have a successful season, says Blue Jays broadcaster

Major league baseball players are back on the field. What many are calling "summer training"kicked off this weekend while the COVID-19 pandemic reaches new heights in several US states.

"Do I think it's a great idea? Yes. But am I concerned that it's not going to last either this summer camp or this season? Absolutely,"Windsorite andBlue Jays broadcaster, Joe Siddallsaid.

"I will believe there is a World Series Champion when I see it because a lot has to go right for major league baseball and the other sports."

The league plans to start a shortened season in three weeks time. California, Texas, Arizona and Florida have all seen large numbers of positive cases of the novel coronaviruscropping up in recent days.

"If things were settling all over the United States. This wouldbe a different conversation but it's notand that to me is what's so concerning," Siddall said.

"I think with what's happening in the United States and I specifically refer to Arizona, Florida, Texas and California, this might not be such a great idea after all."

An initial plan for teams to train in their normal training facilities in Arizona and Florida was scrapped. The decision was made for teams to train in their home cities.

"The fact that these teams are all going to be training in their home cities and that teams are going to be coming in and out and I know there are charter planes and they can sequester them into these hotels and all but I just see so many leaks in those potential bubbles," Siddall said.

Jays to train in Canada butuncertain for regular season games

There would be extra challenges for Blue Jays as well, being the only team based in Canada. Players are arrivinginToronto this weekend to train.Siddall said that the way things have been laid out soundvery safe. He said players are being testedtwice before boarding a plane and then will be shuttled directly to a hotel attached to the Roger's Centre. It still isn't certain if the team will play in Toronto once the abbreviated "regular season" kicks in.

• Blue Jays training camp to be held in Toronto

"They've got all these things in place to reduce (risk) for them but also for the general public," Siddall said. "They're going to walk right down to the ballpark and workout at the facility so they quite literally will not be leaving the building is my understanding."

He said the real challenge will be once the season gets underway and teams are travelling between cities.

"[The players] aregoing to have to be very, very responsible, not just when they're at the ballpark following major league baseball's protocols of social distancing but also when they're out on their own."