Friday’s announcement came after the work stoppage had reached its 79th birthday. It also came a day following talks on economics between management & the Major League Baseball Players Association that lasted only 15 minutes.
On Monday, negotiators will resume bargaining on core economies in Jupiter, Florida. MLB confirmed that members of the owners’ committee would attend the session. This is the seventh session on the key issues of the dispute since Dec. 2 .
Spring Training was scheduled to begin this week and the exhibition schedule will be released on February 26. The day featured 16 games, including the World Series champion Atlanta Braves against Boston in Florida and the renamed Cleveland Guardians against Cincinnati in Arizona.
MLB released a statement saying that they regretted having to postpone spring training games until Saturday, March 5. “All 30 clubs share the same strong desire to see players and fans return to the fields.
MLB informed the union that it believes Feb. 28 is the final date for reaching an agreement that would allow a prompt start to the season. MLB didn’t respond to MLB about whether or not it agreed with the date.
Players released a statement critiquing management for the ceasepage.
The union stated that nothing requires the league delay spring training. It is not the same as the league’s decision to institute the lockout. “Despite the league’s decisions, the players are still committed to the negotiating process.”
Rob Manfred, the Baseball Commissioner, stated that the lockout was taken to control the timing and to prevent a strike late in the season if there is no labor contract. This is similar to the August 1994 lockout which led to the cancellation of the World Series for the first time in nine decades.
This is the third consecutive disruption of spring training. It has also negatively impacted local tourism in Arizona and Florida.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic on March 12, 2020 games were cut short. Opening day was moved from March 26, to June 23. Each team had their schedule reduced from 162 to 60.
Although spring training began on schedule last year, capacity limitations caused by pandemics led to a decrease in attendance.
Negotiations were taking place in New York at the MLB offices and the union’s New York headquarters. Next week’s venue change was made to accommodate Florida players.
Zoom has largely enlisted players and owners to join the bargaining process. The Colorado Rockies CEO Dick Monfort and Andrew Miller , free agent reliefr, attended the January 24 session. This was the first in-person bargaining since the lockout.
MLB stated that they are committed to reaching an equitable agreement for both sides. “On Monday, members from the owners’ bargaining panel will attend an in-person meeting. They will remain next week for negotiations and hard work towards the start of the season on schedule.”
The spring training exercises were scheduled to begin Wednesday.
MLB stated that the clubs have adopted a uniform policy which allows fans to get full refunds if they have bought tickets from them for spring training games that aren’t taking place.
