MLB Playoff Celebrations Can't Include Alcohol Because Of Safety Protocols

Plenty of Major League Baseball teams are on the verge of clinching a playoff berth, but they might have to find a creative way to celebrate.

Alcohol will be banned from the clubhouse, the New York Post reports, as part of MLB’s safety protocols. Players will have to replace their champagne glasses with face masks as the league takes no chances of another coronavirus outbreak.

MLB is finalizing a letter to its teams that will encourage players to limit contact with each other after clinching a playoff series, according to the report.

There are just two weeks left in the regular season and 16 teams will make the playoffs. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays are all close to clinching a spot in the four-round tournament that culminates with the 2020 World Series.

Teams have repeatedly ignored the league’s suggestions about celebrations ever since the truncated 60-game season started on July 23.

In the season opener, the Oakland Athletics mobbed Matt Olson at home plate after his walk-off grand slam. The Chicago White Sox had a relatively subdued celebration at the mound when Lucas Giolito threw a no-hitter on Aug. 25. Social distancing was non-existent Sunday when Chicago Cubs pitcher Alec Mills tossed a no-hitter of his own and was greeted with hugs by some of his teammates.

MLB plans to move to a bubble-type environment with multiple hub cities during the playoffs, hoping to avoid any postponements. The series are expected to take place at neutral sites in Texas and California.

The Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals have both experienced coronavirus outbreaks within the clubhouse. The New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Oakland Athletics also were forced to postpone several games because of positive tests.

A recent positive test for the San Francisco Giants has been deemed a false positive. No player has tested positive in two weeks.