The owners of Major League Baseball clubs reached an agreement to consider beginning the baseball season around Independence Day.
They will discuss this matter with the player’s union who must approve of the plans.
Considering the extraordinary circumstances of this season, many rules and regulations on how the league will proceed also changed. For instance, the owners agreed to allow designated hitters in the National League as well.
The number of games will be halved to 82 games per team, with spring training beginning on June. Inter-league games will also be played, but they will be limited by region. This means that American League West teams will only face NL East teams and so forth.
An increased number of 14 teams will qualify for the postseason, with two more wild card teams selected from each league. Usually, only 10 out of the 30 teams get to play after the regular season finishes.
Multiple reports say that individual teams will get to decide where spring training takes place. Although it is traditionally held in the warmer states of Arizona or Florida, teams will also be allowed to conduct pre-season training in their home stadiums if they wish to do so.
Although specific details were not outlined, it seems likely that the All-Stars game that was scheduled to take place at Dodger Stadium will likely be cancelled. Since the first All-Star Game began in 1933, it has only been cancelled once in 1945 as the US entered World War II.
The biggest clash between the owners and players will likely be over the salaries. The owners have suggested that the team and players even split revenue generated during the season and in the postseason games.
The basis of this agreement will be that fans will be allowed to watch ballgames. The first few games will be played without any audiences. The idea is that as the situation improves, more fans will be allowed to come watch the games
Although the specific regulations regarding traveling have not been specified, it is expected to be strict. The cases of South Korea and Taiwan, who have already began their baseball seasons, may be benchmarks. In both countries, all players have their temperatures taken. Umpires have also been ordered to wear masks.
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