Most of the state's sports teams were affected. Several leagues began postponing or suspending their seasons starting March 12, 2020. Major League Baseball cancelled the remainder of spring training on that date, and on March 16, 2020, they announced that the season will be postponed indefinitely, after the recommendations from the CDC to restrict events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks, affecting the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates. Also on March 12, 2020, the National Basketball Association announced the season would be suspended for 30 days, affecting the Philadelphia 76ers. In the National Hockey League, the season was suspended for an indefinite amount of time, affecting the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers.NHL statement on coronavirus NHL, March 12, 2020 The NBA and NHL seasons have since resumed with a modified schedule. The Pittsburgh Penguins were unexpectedly eliminated in the qualifying round, while the Flyers were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the New York Islanders. The 76ers completed the regular season after the restart and ended up as the 6 seed in the East; the 76ers were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics. On June 24, 2020, it was announced that the 2020 MLB season of 60 games will begin July 23 and 24 with players returning to spring training on July 1.
