Major League Baseball made the following statement tonight: “On the advice of medical experts, we have proposed a one-month delay before the start of spring training and the regular season to better protect the health and safety of players and support staff . A delay in the season would make it possible
Major League Baseball made the following statement tonight:
“On the advice of medical experts, we have proposed a one-month delay in the start of spring training and the regular season to better protect the health and safety of players and support staff. Delaying the season would allow COVID-19 infection rates to fall and allow additional time to distribute vaccinations, as well as minimize possible disruptions to the 2021 season currently exposed to all sports.
“The offer included the start of the regular season on April 29th and playing a 154-game schedule where players would be paid in full as if they were playing 162 games. We also suggested two changes from the 2020 season that were overwhelmingly popular with our fans – for this season only, with a modified extended postseason (seven teams per league) and the generalized hitter rule.
“This was a good deal, reflecting the wellbeing of everyone involved in the sport, by moving the calendar of the season just one month off for health and safety reasons, without affecting the rights of players or clubs currently under the basic agreement or the contract, uniform player contract for payment and service time.
“Given the MLBPA’s rejection of our proposal and their refusal to object to our revised offer this afternoon, we’re going ahead and instructing our clubs to sign up for a punctual start of spring training and championship season, subject to an agreement on health and safety Security protocols. Our 2020 season taught us that the national game is still important in a crisis and that there is nothing better than playing ball. We were able to close a 2020 season through the Herculean effort and sacrifice of our players, club staff and MLB staff for mutual protection. We will do this again together as we work towards another safe and fun season in 2021. “
