Sports

Mayor Says It's Possible Sox, Cubs Resume Home Games Without Fans

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said it's possible White Sox and Cubs could play homes games in empty stadiums this summer.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said it's possible White Sox and Cubs could play homes games in empty stadiums this summer.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said it's possible White Sox and Cubs could play homes games in empty stadiums this summer. (Getty Images)

CHICAGO — Mayor Lori Lightfoot offered Sox and Cubs fans a glimmer of hope that home games might make a summer comeback — in empty ballparks.

While the decision will likely be made by Major League Baseball, the mayor said she's engaged in "ongoing conversations" with Cubs and White Sox owners about the future of the new coronavirus-interrupted season.

"Can I envision a world where baseball might return to Chicago this summer? Yes. Is it likely to be without fans? Probably," Lightfoot said at news conference Monday.

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MLB officials are reportedly considering starting the virus-shortened season in one of three hubs: Florida, Arizona or Texas.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred told Fox Business the league has "lots of ideas" but not a plan.

Find out what's happening in Chicagofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"The only real decision that we have made, the only real plan that we have, is that baseball is not going to return until the public health situation has improved to the point that we're comfortable, that we can play games in a manner that's safe for our players, our employees, our fans, and in a way that will not impact the public health situation adversely," Manfred said earlier this month.

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