Baseball is (almost) back, and here's what to expect
On Monday night, the Major League Baseball Players Association formally rejected the owners' proposal to delay the start of spring training by a month before playing a shortened 154-game season.
The decision was not a surprise.
Pitchers who have been ramping up for a mid-February opening of camp don't want to shut back down and risk injury.
And even though ownership offered to pay for a full 162-game season, players were skeptical.
"Although player salaries would not be initially prorated to a 154-game regular season, MLB's proposal offers no salary or service time protections in the event of further delays, interruptions or cancellation of the season," the MLBPA said in a statement.
Aware that the collective-bargaining agreement mandates a 162-game season, the owners had no choice but to accept the players' decision to forge ahead on time.
"Our 2020 season taught us that when the nation faces crisis, the national game is as important as ever and there is nothing better than playing ball," MLB said in a statement. "We were able to complete a 2020 season through herculean efforts and sacrifices made by our players, club staff and MLB staff to protect one another. We will do so again, together, as we work towards playing another safe and entertaining season in 2021."
With the game back on, here are some FAQs:
When does spring training start?
Pitchers and catchers for most major-league teams are scheduled to report to camps in Arizona and Florida on Feb. 17, with full squads due in on Feb. 22.
Can fans watch workouts?
That's up to each major-league team, but at this point it seems unlikely.
When do spring training games begin?
Cactus League and Grapefruit League play starts on Feb. 27.
The White Sox are scheduled to open against the Brewers at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. The Cubs play the Dodgers at Sloan Park in Mesa.
Will fans be able to watch exhibition games?
Teams are hoping to put people in the seats, and the Pirates, Cardinals and Marlins are among the Florida-based teams that already have announced tickets will be sold for games that will have reduced capacity.
COVID-19 infection rates in Arizona are among the highest in the country, and Cactus League officials have pushed for a one-month delay.
That's not going to happen after Monday's news, and it remains to be seen if a smaller number of fans will be able to watch games.
With the infection numbers declining in Arizona, fans should be able to watch games at some point.
When does the regular season open?
Assuming teams come out of spring training in good health, the 162-game season starts on April 1.
The Cubs play the Pirates at Wrigley Field. The Sox play the Angels in Anaheim, California.
Will fans be back this season?
That is the hope, but crowds are expected to be smaller and spread out.
Will rosters go back down to 25 players for the regular season?
The current plan is keeping rosters at 26 players.