Coronavirus prompts change to autograph signings

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Though there haven't been any confirmed coronavirus cases in the immediate vicinity yet, the Nationals are taking their first precautionary steps toward helping prevent the virus from spreading at their spring training facility.

The club announced this morning changes to the way players and coaches approach autographs and fan interactions at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches and other spring training stadiums.

All Nationals personnel have been advised to avoid shaking hands or exchanging items like pens, balls and jerseys, "out of an abundance of caution," the team said in a statement. To compensate for the time being, players will pre-sign items and distribute them to fans periodically before and during games.

The club also is changing its "Signature Sunday" event at spring training. Fans who obtain vouchers will no longer be allowed to bring personal items for players to autograph. Players will now sign only items provided by the team.

Bruce Thomas, the Nationals' longtime Florida-based team physician, met with the entire club earlier this week and outlined the do's and don'ts for players and staff members. Hand sanitizing stations are much more prevalent around the facility, as are posters reminding everyone how to avoid spreading germs.

"They've done an unbelievable job trying to keep everything safe around here for us and the players," manager Davey Martinez said. "And also for the fans. I know they've got sanitizers all over the place now. Hey, it's real. It's there. It's an issue. So we're trying to prevent anybody from getting sick."

As of this morning, there have been seven confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state of Florida, two deaths. Only two people have so far tested positive for the virus on the state's east coast, both in Broward County. Palm Beach County, which sits directly north of Broward, has not yet had a confirmed case.

The Nationals didn't want to wait any longer to take action, assuming the virus will reach this area eventually. It's an adjustment for players and coaches, though, to restrict the kind of daily interactions they have with fans, interactions they've never had to think much about before.

"We've just got to be cautious," Martinez said. "It's hard, because you see a little kid that wants a ball signed. Yesterday, he was at the game, and I couldn't turn him down. I signed. But I definitely washed my hands."