Players and MLB Agree to Terms on when to Begin Play

ESPN Reporter Jeff Passan reporting today that the players and MLB have agreed on terms regarding the start of the MLB season.

The players and league agreed the 2020 MLB season won’t begin until:

– There are no bans on mass gatherings that limit the ability to play in front of fans*
– There are no travel restrictions
– Medical experts determine games will not pose a risk to health of teams and fans

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 27, 2020

• No bans on mass gatherings that limit the ability to play in front of fans*
• No travel restrictions
• Medical experts determine games will not pose a risk to health of teams and fans

* The players and league stated that they will consider playing games at neutral sites instead of home ballparks. They will consider the feasibility of playing in empty stadiums and just how proper a solution it may be for both sides and especially fans.

Just looking at the agreement. I’m concerned. You have to believe that the VERY LAST return to normalcy will be sports – given the fans, large gatherings, public places, etc. If the MLB and players are stating that they will not resume without fans in attendance – we could be faced with a longer delay than we initially thought.

I do ask myself where the intentions fall. Fan safety or lack of revenue? During these dark times in sports let’s just go with fan safety – all though that’s most likely not the case.

It looks like we’re closer to a late June / July start for the MLB instead of May which could create a very intriguing season. We talked about this on The Misery Report. An 82 game or less MLB season could be electric:

• No days off.
• Every game matters.
• Short and tight season.
• You have to start hot and stay hot.

Who knows –  Jon Heyman tweeted an update regarding the structure of the 2020 season. Heyman tweets that MLB is considering expanding the playoff field from 10 teams to 14 teams for 2020.

Back in February, it was reported that MLB was considering such a change to the postseason format on a permanent basis. This would be the perfect time to give it a shot.

For now, we’re just stuck with replays from last year. Watching the Bryce Harper Grand Slam game yesterday felt great. But we’re ready for Harper 2.0.

#OpeningDayAtHome https://t.co/NsPYaNjAsG

— The Liberty Line (@LibertyLinePHL) March 26, 2020

While you wait, might as well stay up to date with Phillies news on The Liberty Line and obviously gear up for when baseball returns.

Check the latest Phillies themed shirts & hoodies in our DSGN Tree Store:

Bryce Harper with the walk-off grand slam to start #OpeningDayAtHome – the MLB will be back. Gear up today in our @DSGNTree Shop and #RingTheBell: https://t.co/B6gxaIfro2 pic.twitter.com/Xy7UOiZj9o

— The Liberty Line (@LibertyLinePHL) March 26, 2020