Late yesterday I heard the news that MLB and the players had agreed on a new agreement and that Spring Training would begin on Sunday March 13. That is such great news to hear after all this time. Although it has no direct impact on me personally other than me being a long-time baseball fan, it is as if a big load was taken off my shoulders. It instantly put me in a better mood.
I understand that all 162 games will be played and the first two series that were originally cancelled will be made up somewhere at the tail-end of the season. The regular season opens on April 7 and a number of rule changes will take place. Both leagues will now use the designated hitter, 7-inning double-headers are history as is the extra-inning ghost runner at second base, the number of play-off teams increases from 10 to 12 and the Amateur Free Agent draft has a lottery system. Players can no longer be optioned to the minors no more than five times in a season. This is a few of the rules changes that have surfaced so far. I have also read somewhere that unvaccinated players will not be allowed to play in Canada and that they will not be paid or accrue service time. Another thing I read someplace that I find extremely interesting was when the MLBPA voted that all eight player representatives that was actually participating in the negotiations voted to reject this latest proposal but the other teams out voted them while the owners voted 30-0 to accept. Very Interesting!
So now the action shifts to the front offices that have been shut down from communicating with the other teams front offices as they battle to sign free agents and make trades to fill holes on their rosters. It should be a hectic time between now and and when the season begins to be sure.
Teams need to start selling tickets. I see that the Twins will start selling single game tickets on March 17 and that they will not charge fees for two days. Only two frickin fee free days after a 99 day lockdown? If the Twins and MLB had any smarts they would waive all ticket fees for 99 days and show their fans some respect for a change. Come on MLB, how about it?
In the mean time let’s get it on, Play Ball.