“In light of the rejection of our proposal by the Major Baseball Players Association, and its refusal to respond to our revised offer this afternoon, we are going ahead and asking our teams to report in anticipation of ‘a start of training camp and the season on the scheduled dates, subject to the conclusion of an agreement on health and safety protocols,’ Major Baseball announced in a press release.
“We were able to complete a 2020 season thanks to Herculean efforts and sacrifices on the part of our players, team staff and Major Baseball staff to protect each other,” added Major Baseball authorities.
“We will do the same, together, as we work towards a safe and fun 2021 season.”
Friday, Major Baseball had proposed to the Players’ Association to postpone the start of training camps from February 17 to March 22, to start the season on April 28 instead of the 1is of the same month and reduce the schedule from 162 to 154 meetings.
Major League Baseball believed the situation surrounding the pandemic virus will improve during the proposed one-month delay.
Each team would be allowed to schedule up to 12 non-traditional doubles programs (one daytime game, one nighttime).
The seven-inning rule in doubles and the rule that allows teams to start extra innings with a runner on second pad would continue for a second season.
As part of their proposal, Major Baseball officials had included adding four teams to the playoffs to increase the number to 14, and extending the designated hitter rule in the National League for a second season. straight, a project that the Players Association rejected on January 6.
“The Major Baseball Players ‘Association executive committee reviewed and discussed the owners’ proposal over the weekend and today,” the union said in a statement.
“The unequivocal result of these deliberations is that the players will not accept Major Baseball’s proposal, will instead continue their preparation for a start to the 2021 season on time and will accept Major Baseball’s commitment to advise its teams to prepare for a departure on time. ”
“We are not taking this decision lightly. Players know from experience how much effort it took to complete the abbreviated 2020 schedule, and we understand that there are huge challenges ahead. We look forward to putting the finishing touches to improved health and safety protocols that will help players and teams face these challenges. ”
