Since December 1, when the owners locked out the players, there was much criticism from baseball fans over the eagerness to get a deal done between MLB and MLBPA, but on Thursday afternoon, both were able to come to an agreement which means there in will an MLB season in 2022.
For 99 days, the two parties went back and forth, trying to come to terms on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. When Commissioner Rob Manfred announced on March 5 that the first two series of the season would be canceled and would not be made up, both players and fans bowed their heads in disbelief and frustration.
American’s past time was spiraling towards its doom. The game that many grew up watching would soon be an afterthought if both sides could not reach an agreement. It would be difficult for MLB to win back the fans if they could not agree with the MLBPA. With College Baseball in full swing and the MiLB season about to open in April. A deal had to be made, and rightfully, an agreement was agreed upon on Thursday.
According to ESPN’s own Jeff Passan, players can start reporting to Spring Training as soon as Friday with the new CBA in place. Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post says that the mandatory report date is Sunday, March 13. The new agreement means that a 162-game season will be played out with players receiving their full salaries. MLB plans to extend the season by three days and have doubleheaders in place to make up for the late start to the season.
Spring Training games are set to begin around March 18. Baseball is back!
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