The A's have plans to build their new stadium at the Howard Terminal site in downtown Oakland in 2023, but an A's spokesperson admitted recently that those plans might be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The San Francisco Chronicle's Scott Ostler published an article with the notion that during the current delay in sports, it’s time for the A's to make a ballpark announcement -- but at the Oakland Coliseum's current site. Reporter Bruce Jenkins said in his tweet promoting the article, it would “be cool.”
A's president Dave Kaval responded in jest with photos of the plan at Jack London Square:
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SIGN UP HERE To Ostler and Jenkins’ justification, MLB has been facing hurdle after hurdle during the beginning of Summer Camp, or the second wind of spring training, whatever you want to call it. So now could be a good time for some positive news on a potential new ballpark.
But Kaval is more than doubling down on the Howard Terminal site.
In addition to ensuring the correct safety protocols and procedures around the league, teams around the league faced delays in testing for position players.
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The A’s are just one of several teams to cancel recent workouts joining the Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros and Washington Nationals who also are waiting on results from the lab in Salt Lake City. A’s general manager David Forst was a bit more outspoken about the situation, and rightfully so.
While it’s fair to see MLB commissioner Rob Manfred experiment during a shortened, 60-game season, we will see how the players ultimately feel about it.
Until then, Kaval doesn’t appear to be too worried despite a long list of legal actions. The team’s goal to build this waterfront ballpark at Howard Terminal still remains intact.
[RELATED: Kaval trolls Giants fans over cardboard cutouts]
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Oakland City Council reversed course and voted to actually allow negotiations to start for the sale of the city’s half of the Coliseum site to the A’s.
The coronavirus pandemic that rocked sports will certainly cause an impact on the future of where the A’s will ultimately play, but there is still momentum working in the team’s favor.