Elephant Rumblings: Oakland A’s will add crowd noise during fan-less games in 2020

Good morning, Athletics Nation!

One of the many oddities of the upcoming 2020 MLB season is that fans won’t be allowed to attend the games, due to social distancing measures amid the coronavirus pandemic. That will make for eerily quiet ballparks, offering a strange game environment that will take some getting used to for players and viewers alike. Imagine a clutch home run, with a dramatic bat flip, and ... crickets.

Back in April on Athletics Nation, Nico suggested that teams should recreate crowd noise over their stadiums’ speakers in order to fill this audio void, and apparently he’s not the only one who thinks that’s a good idea. The A’s will indeed pump crowd noise into the Coliseum during games, reports John Hickey of Sports Illustrated.

There are no specifics on this matter yet, but manager Bob Melvin said the team is working on it, and that he predicts all 30 clubs will eventually do some version of it.

The players have certainly noticed the empty parks already, with first baseman Matt Olson calling it “pretty tough” during an A’s simulated game this weekend. Khris Davis said the following, per Hickey: “We are missing something without the fans. It’s more exciting when you have them out there. But there are bigger things going on now.”

This isn’t the A’s first effort toward generating a virtual version of normalcy during an unusual time. They are also selling the opportunity for fans buy cardboard cutouts bearing their photos, to be placed in the Coliseum stands during games. Now the cutouts won’t have to sit silently.

A’s Coverage:

• Hickey: Athletics Adding Piped-In Crowd Noise with Fans Unable to be at Coliseum Games
• Hickey: Athletics’ Khris Davis Looks as if the Spark has Returned in Time for 2020
• Hickey: It’s the Same Game as Athletics’ Montas Tries to Balance Baseball, Parenthood
• Hickey: Puk’s Long Hair and Arm Troubles Both Are Gone, and Athletics’ LHP Ready for Big Things
• Hickey: Germaphobe Athletics Manager Melvin Trying to get Comfortable with COVID-19 Realities
• Hickey: Some Athletics’ Cardboard Cutouts in 2020 Will go to Boost Piscotty ALS foundation
• Hickey: From Miggy to Marcus: Athletics’ Success Begins with a Star Shortstop in the Lineup Every Day
• Hickey: On a Healthy Athletics’ Roster, Playing Time Might be Tough to Come by for Chad Pinder
• Gallegos: Pinder preparing for more reps at 2B
• Gallegos: Puk’s new haircut fools teammates at A’s camp
• Castrovince: 5 reasons why the A’s are really dangerous
• MLB: Piscotty ‘looks 100% healthy’ after shutdown
• Rubin: A’s summer camp takeaways: Here’s your Opening Day starter
• Slusser podcast: A’s training camp, and baseball during a pandemic
• Kawahara: A’s Frankie Montas looks ‘driven’ in training camp ($)
• Kawahara: New-look A.J. Puk excited for A’s 60-game ‘sprint’ ($)
• Lockard: Armed with same plus stuff and a new look, A.J. Puk excited for rookie season ($$$)
• Brown: A’s slugger Khris Davis feels healthy again. Can he get back to his .247 ways? ($$$)
• Nico: An A’s 60-game Season? Been There, Won That
• Hall: AL West 2020 preview: Texas Rangers lurk on fringes of contention
• Hall: AL West 2020 preview: Houston Astros are still the favorites
• Hall: Buster Posey latest MLB star to opt out of 2020 season
• A’s trivia: Hall of Famers

MLB News, & Interest:

• AP: Rangers slugger Joey Gallo still isn’t sure he had coronavirus
• Lauber: Phillies’ Scott Kingery finally in camp after chilling battle with COVID-19
• Hoch: Clint Frazier plans to wear mask during Yanks’ games
• Castrovince: Here are the top 10 lineups in baseball
• Castrovince: Indians have 5 potential options with Lindor
• Simon: 7 returning players who missed all of 2019
• Today in Baseball History

Summer Camp video

Enjoy some batting practice from Saturday’s workout at the Coliseum!

Bonus Pinder!

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