Once-in-a-lifetime scenario: Nashville Sounds' return to play with 40-game schedule

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Baseball’s return to First Horizon Park is finally just that, on the horizon. The Nashville Sounds revealed their back-to play plan, which involves a 40-game schedule.

“Ultimately, our plan is to put two All-Star teams together. With the amount of talent out there right now, we may be better than what the Sounds were going to be. It’s kind of a fun, once-in-a-lifetime scenario right now.”

Sounds general manager Adam Nuse said the news was supposed to be announced next week, however word leaked out after MLB announced their plan to return to play Tuesday night.

“I think in one day 1,00 guys got released and that’s what sparked all of this. It’s really the heart of this whole deal, maybe we can hire them, put them back to work and play some baseball. It also achieves one of our biggest goals as a community asset and that we’re giving back to the community.”

The idea is to sign 40 free agent players for two teams, each outfitted with a manager, hitting or pitching coach, and a training staff. They would report 10 days before the July 23rd season start date and play four games a week, preferably Thursday-Sunday night.

“This is a whole new model where we’re going to develop these teams. I have a list of every free agent released and their phone numbers and I’m doing my best to try and pick put the top 40 guys.”

The details aren’t set in stone, especially since Major League Baseball has expressed interest in getting involved. Either way, Nuse said the season will go on with or without MLB intervention.

“Part of me would love to do it on our own with our own plan, but there’s so many advantages to have MLB involved too. We’ll see how it all pans out over the next couple of days.”

Nuse added the game atmosphere will obviously look different. There will be fans, however because of social distancing, they expect to be around 25% capacity or approximately 2,000 fans.