Sports in the age of coronavirus: What 2 Watch

[SirFozzie]

Alright, we're down to super barebones on events, so let's help each other out here. What sports are you watching? Here's some suggestions

1. MLB.tv is offering all 2018/2019 games for free
2. NFL League Pass is offering 11 years of NFL games for free through May,
3. NHL is offering 2019-20 games for free along with classic content.

4. NASCAR teamed up with iRacing to do a Virtual NASCAR event using iRacing (today, if you missed it, the replay is on at 3:30 AM, set your DVR), I won't spoil the result.

NRL is still sputtering along, but could go dark at any time.

Idea: Let's pick a random NFL year and do a watch party, where we all watch a different NFL game from the same week, and comment like it was a game thread

[Gary Gorski]

I think this is a great time to try and provide sports content not only for yourself but for others - play on Twitch, YouTube, write a dynasty report...there are so many great sports sims why not learn how to use one of those platforms and provide somebody else with something new rather than just rewatching old games?

[SirFozzie]

That is an idea too, I'll have to see if I can stream some of my stuff on Twitch (I used to have streaming programs)

[miami_fan]

NBA League Pass is also free of charge.

[PilotMan]

If you guys want to actually watch some cool e sports stuff, The Drone Racing League is having the final two tryouts this week on Tuesday and Thursday. Winners move to a best of the best qualifier later on, winner gets a 75k professional contract. It's all done with the DRL sim on Steam. You can watch on twitch or you tube. YT has the earlier ones available to check out. Some of the heats are as close as a hundredth of a second or less over 2 laps of the course.

[Critch]

I got so desperate for soccer this morning I watched a game from the Belarussian Premier League. It wasnt bad, but I'm not sure how long it'll last before it suspends too.

President of Belarus says you can avoid the virus if you "drink vodka, go to the sauna and work hard", not keen on 2 out of 3 there.

[Thomkal]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you our salvation:


https://www.si.com/more-sports/2020/...ds-commentator

[IlliniCub]

This guy does amazing elaborate marble races and Olympic style events. Highly recommended. YouTube

[BishopMVP]

Got some 10m Bellyflop championship right now on The Ocho.

[SirFozzie]

Oof. Actually started streaming OOTP 21 on twitch, game crashed. I can't even watch virtual sports apparently :P

[Butter]

Meanwhile, NCAA has a prime opportunity to prove they're not total fuckwits, but instead have something like 20 old March Madness games online? Instead of the literal hundreds or maybe even thousands they should have.

[SirFozzie]

At least we'll be able to watch the Overwatch League over the weekend (looks like they're pretty much playing non-stop through the entire weekend, considering that one group is in Asia and one group is in the US)

https://twitter.com/overwatchleague/...30235031719938

Next week they're going to have 22 matches.

[tarcone]

Tis rugby announcer is announcing some high quality English events

This rugby commentator has started broadcasting everyday life as a competitive sport | inews

[Radii]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

At least we'll be able to watch the Overwatch League over the weekend (looks like they're pretty much playing non-stop through the entire weekend, considering that one group is in Asia and one group is in the US)

Overwatch League on Twitter: "2 days. 16 games. Welcome back everybody 💪

#OWL2020 returns in epic fashion this weekend 🙌

📺 https://t.co/tbTGBrUfiE… https://t.co/hGE5efaRwj"

Next week they're going to have 22 matches.

Extremely niche but LCK - the korean league of legends league, is returning tomorrow after being on hold for a few weeks. The NA/EU leagues are still going on I think. But I don't think very many traditional sports fans are going to get into 3-sports just because there's no March Madness or anything Personally though I love watching the korean league and am very happy its starting back up again, great distraction.

[Radii]

Originally Posted by tarcone

Tis rugby announcer is announcing some high quality English events

This rugby commentator has started broadcasting everyday life as a competitive sport | inews

This is outstanding

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

If you guys want to actually watch some cool e sports stuff, The Drone Racing League is having the final two tryouts this week on Tuesday and Thursday. Winners move to a best of the best qualifier later on, winner gets a 75k professional contract. It's all done with the DRL sim on Steam. You can watch on twitch or you tube. YT has the earlier ones available to check out. Some of the heats are as close as a hundredth of a second or less over 2 laps of the course.

[Critch]

If you're totally desperate for a fix of "sports" and not too bothered about what you watch, Professional Darts Corporation are live streaming players playing from their homes:

[tarcone]

Originally Posted by Critch

If you're totally desperate for a fix of "sports" and not too bothered about what you watch, Professional Darts Corporation are live streaming players playing from their homes:

Awesome.

Maybe MLB could pit players against each other playing baseball on xbox or ps4. Or any pro sport for that matter

Live stream that.

[whomario]

Originally Posted by tarcone

Awesome.

Maybe MLB could pit players against each other playing baseball on xbox or ps4. Or any pro sport for that matter

Live stream that.

Formula 1 is doing that, though only a couple actual drivers

Formula 1 launches Virtual Grand Prix Series to replace postponed races

[bob]

According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the NBA and 2k Sports will partner to hold a players-only NBA 2k tournament. The tournament will feature 16 of the NBA's best 2k players with Kevin Durant, Donovan Mitchell, DeMarcus Cousins, and Andre Drummond some of the featured names

Coronavirus: NBA planning to launch NBA 2K tournament

[PilotMan]

So more Drone Racing tonight. Here's the link to the live stream of the DRL Tryout Finals. Tonight the 12 winners from the qualifying tournaments go at it. Winner gets a $75,000 pro contract to race in the next season of DRL against the top pro racers for real. Only the qualifier is done on the Simulator.

[molson]

That madman Dana White is apparently close to closing a deal to host weekly UFC fights on a private island that he would fly the fighters to on a private plane, starting with UFC 249 on April 18. So basically Street Fighter 2. (Edit: Actually he claims he has a different super-secret venue for UFC 249, and then the island shit will start after that).

And MLB is talking a plan to start the season with all teams playing at spring Chase Field and spring training sites in Arizona. The players would be essentially quarantined there between the hotels and the parks, for months, potentially. In addition to other precautions, the players would sit in the empty stands 6 feet apart rather in the dugout.

It all seems like a ridiculous amount of work to go into something that would be shut down entirely the first time a player or coach gets sick. But, if they're ever going to play again, it will have to be done first with precautions, so it makes sense to be figuring that all out.

[Arles]

Originally Posted by molson

It all seems like a ridiculous amount of work to go into something that can be shut down entirely the first time a player or coach gets sick. But, if they're ever going to play again, it will have to be done first with precautions, so it makes sense to be figuring that all out.

It sounds like they would have a plan to isolate any player/coach that tests positive and then test the other players.

When you start talking about billions in salaries players would be giving up if they lose the season, I think their tolerance for risk goes up. It does sound crazy, but I wouldn’t be against players and owners finding a way to get paid

[molson]

Originally Posted by Arles

It sounds like they would have a plan to isolate any player/coach that tests positive and then test the other players.

I heard that, but wouldn't there have to be a quarantine period for the impacted team and their recent opponents at least?

I know the South Korean baseball league is saying automatic 2-week league suspension if anyone tests positive.

And ya, I can see why the players and the league would be up for this and why we're going to get some really wacky re-introductions to sports across the board.

[bhlloy]

Most players sure... what happens when some players say “fuck it, I’m not taking the risk and/or willing to leave my family for that long”. What if it’s like Bellinger and Trout? The leagues biggest stars are probably the ones who need the money the least.

[bhlloy]

DOLA - I actually read what MLB and the union are proposing, and while I'm not complaining about sport on TV (dear god please make it happen), they might as well just have a fantasy draft and a gimmicky tournament, because when you consider the list of things they are going to have to do it just doesn't feel like it's going to be baseball:

- Electronic strike zone
- Potential 7 inning double headers
- Games at spring training venues
- Expanded rosters
- No crowds (obviously)
- No mound visits or unnecessary meeting between players and coaches
- The possibility that some players just decide to retire or not show up

What happens to the record books if somebody hits 60 HR in the first half of the season due to a number of those factors? Or if 7 or 8 of the best players on a team that is otherwise a contender decides they don't want to increase their risk and spend 5 months away from their families? Feels like wishful thinking to me, but realistically this might be what we are looking at to get any sport back this calendar year.

[AlexB]

Originally Posted by whomario

Formula 1 is doing that, though only a couple actual drivers

Formula 1 launches Virtual Grand Prix Series to replace postponed races

This Sundays race was probably 50% F1 drivers, with the remainder almost all professional or ex-professional racers. The only exception being Ben Stokes (hero!) and a sim racer.

It was really good - better than normal F1 TBH as there was not the same jeopardy in making a mistake, so drivers were taking more risks making for more exciting racing

[AlexB]

Cycling is also doing virtual races - they did a ‘Tour of Flanders’ yesterday with 13 pro racers on turbo trainers using Rouvy. It was better than i thought it would be!

The next one is a five day Tour de Suisse on a grander scale - 16 pro teams had confirmed as of yesterday

[CrimsonFox]

i think i'd rather watch cames from the 80s instead. Basketball was the best in the 80s. I liked the 80s baseball players too.

Not sure if there was ever a PEEK of football but really anything from older eras before TV TOTALLY took over would be great. And of course there's Howard Cosell...

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

i think i'd rather watch cames from the 80s instead. Basketball was the best in the 80s. I liked the 80s baseball players too.

Not sure if there was ever a PEEK of football but really anything from older eras before TV TOTALLY took over would be great. And of course there's Howard Cosell...

Yeah same here. I want watch any of this 7 til it is back to normal (next season 2021?) . I bought 40 old World Series games from a guy on sell.com that sells dvds of old games. I got the 1975,1982;and 1985 WS and also the 1980 and 1986 NLCS’.

[albionmoonlight]

I watched the Saints/Falcons 2006 MNF replay last night.

I had forgotten that MNF went through that weird phase where they had one of the players introduce the team. That's something that has deservedly gone away.

[SirFozzie]

NFL redzone is replaying the redzone from all 17 weeks of the regular season over 17 days

[Arles]

Originally Posted by molson

I heard that, but wouldn't there have to be a quarantine period for the impacted team and their recent opponents at least?

It is a little odd, but it seems like they are trying to make their own "baseball ecosystem" in Phoenix. If a player tests positive, they isolate him and then test the entire team (and maybe any opponents that came into contact). Then, that player goes into quarantine for 14 days and they treat it almost like a sprained knee type 2-week injury. It is weird, but it's what they have to do if they want any kind of season.

Originally Posted by bhlloy

DOLA - I actually read what MLB and the union are proposing, and while I'm not complaining about sport on TV (dear god please make it happen), they might as well just have a fantasy draft and a gimmicky tournament, because when you consider the list of things they are going to have to do it just doesn't feel like it's going to be baseball:

- Electronic strike zone
- Potential 7 inning double headers
- Games at spring training venues
- Expanded rosters
- No crowds (obviously)
- No mound visits or unnecessary meeting between players and coaches
- The possibility that some players just decide to retire or not show up

What happens to the record books if somebody hits 60 HR in the first half of the season due to a number of those factors?

Outside of the 7-inning double header idea, I can't see any of these impacting stats massively. I do think players may be a little rusty without all the spring training (so pitchers may not last as long to start), but I don't think that will put any records in jeopardy on its own.

Or if 7 or 8 of the best players on a team that is otherwise a contender decides they don't want to increase their risk and spend 5 months away from their families? Feels like wishful thinking to me, but realistically this might be what we are looking at to get any sport back this calendar year.

That's why there is a MLBPA. If you flip it, how "fair" is it for a guy like Verlander (who's made over $200 million and lives very comfortably) to prevent the hundreds of young players who haven't hit FA from making a living this year? If some players want to take the year off for safety, I'm sure the MLB will have an allowance for that (maybe you don't get paid your full salary, but gain a year towards your pension). But, a lot of the 700+ players in MLB haven't made much money and losing this year would be a massive hit to them.

The one issue I haven't seen discussed is the heat. It *may* play a factor in slowing down the spread of the virus, but it's also going to be miserable to play in during June-August. Whomever gets a game at Chase Field (air conditioned) in July is going to have a pretty big advantage over the poor saps baking at the Peoria or Scottsdale stadium in the open air.

[tarcone]

I broke out my PS3 and NCAA14 college football game. My all tie favorite franchise.

I rebooted my franchise. This will be my sports entertainment. I also have a MLB game which I may crack open.

[Galaril]

Also lots of old sports on YouTube . I was watching old Houston Oilers games and even some baseball from the 50s on there.

[tarcone]

HN is doing a best of Hayden Frys games at Iowa. Top 25 list. There are some great games in there to watch.

[AlexB]

Just watched Taylor v. van Barneveld playing soft-tip darts on Paddy Power’s facebook page. Slightly dry, but live sport!!!

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by tarcone

I broke out my PS3 and NCAA14 college football game. My all tie favorite franchise.

I rebooted my franchise. This will be my sports entertainment. I also have a MLB game which I may crack open.

I'm playing NCAA 14 too, after about a year off (since The Ladder OD died).

[bhlloy]

UFC cancelled indefinitely, including next weekends event. Maybe Dana's private island turned out to have pirates there.

[molson]

For you early risers, the CPBL Taiwan baseball league got through opening day and has a game streaming most mornings at 6:30 AM Eastern. There are 8 former major leaguers in the league. One team brings cardboard fans to sit in the stands and has robot drummers playing live music. I think three of the teams have free streaming, which covers most of the games in the 5-team league.

Online Stream - CPBL STATS

This league has has multiple game-fixing scandals over the last 10 years, and I read somebody point out that with 4 or 5 sports leagues going on at the moment (this, Taiwan basketball, Russia soccer, Belarus soccer, Nicaragua soccer), anyone who is playing could potentially get a ton of attention from gamblers and fixers. So, don't bet your mortgage payment on it or anything.

[SirFozzie]

Yeah, the Pro Darts league will be doing a 32 day tournament from homes.

PDC Home Tour - players to compete from own homes for 32 nights - BBC Sport

[Butter]

Why am I watching this HORSE competition.

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by Butter

Why am I watching this HORSE competition.

I couldn't do it tonight after watching it off and on over the weekend. I guess I found where the line was where I will consider something watchable sport when there is literally nothing going on.

[JPhillips]

The Rakutan Monkeys are killing the Chinese Professional Baseball League.

[molson]

Back-and-forth high drama yesterday though (make sure you watch with sound on).

ã€�è�·æ£’31精彩好ç�ƒã€‘04/15朱育賢å†�見全壘打完æˆ�三響ç*²ï¼�助樂天桃猿激戰12局後奪下首å‹�ï¼� Rakuten Monkeys first win by a walkoff homerunï¼� - YouTube

This gives an idea of what empty-arena sports could look like in the U.S. There's some ingredients here that can keep it exciting - over the top announcers, cheerleaders with gloves frolicking around, lots of random nose over the PA system, and cuts to cardboard fans holding up signs.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

I couldn't do it tonight after watching it off and on over the weekend. I guess I found where the line was where I will consider something watchable sport when there is literally nothing going on.

I stopped right about the time I posted this, so who knows what happened.

You know, somehow Netflix managed to capture high quality DIY video in their Tiger King special (which was also stupid and pointless but at least had Joel McHale), while ESPN literally appeared to rely on flip phones.

[SirFozzie]

So, MLB.COM, MLB Network and Twitch are partnering with Out of the Park Baseball, to supplement the MLB: The Show Players League with 32 all-time team rosters (one for each MLB franchise, one for Negro League players, and one for U-25 superstars), and will be doing a tournament over the next few weeks.

MLB Dream Bracket, presented by DraftKings | MLB.com

Some interesting matchups to start

[AlexB]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Yeah, the Pro Darts league will be doing a 32 day tournament from homes.

PDC Home Tour - players to compete from own homes for 32 nights - BBC Sport

The stream was unwatchable unfortunately

[tarcone]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

So, MLB.COM, MLB Network and Twitch are partnering with Out of the Park Baseball, to supplement the MLB: The Show Players League with 32 all-time team rosters (one for each MLB franchise, one for Negro League players, and one for U-25 superstars), and will be doing a tournament over the next few weeks.

MLB Dream Bracket, presented by DraftKings | MLB.com

Some interesting matchups to start

This should be a thread on its own to discuss.

Nolan Ryan is on every team it seems. Medwick over Brock for the Cards?

Do the younger teams even stand a chance?

What will that Negro team do? It looks awesome.

[SirFozzie]

Done. Complete with Foz picks, I'm trying to stay active today