If you were heading to Florida or Arizona for Spring Training games the end of February, you now have to change your plans.
Major League Baseball has announced that Spring Training games through March 4 are being cancelled as they continue to negotiate with the Player’s Association during a lockout.
Major League Baseball released the following statement Friday:
“We regret that, without a collective bargaining agreement in place, we must postpone the start of Spring Training games until no earlier than Saturday, March 5th. All 30 Clubs are unified in their strong desire to bring players back to the field and fans back to the stands. The Clubs have adopted a uniform policy that provides an option for full refunds for fans who have purchased tickets from the Clubs to any Spring Training games that are not taking place. We are committed to reaching an agreement that is fair to each side. On Monday, members of the owners’ bargaining committee will join an in-person meeting with the Players Association and remain every day next week to negotiate and work hard towards starting the season on time.”
In a bargaining session Thursday, the negotiators for MLB walked out after only 15 minutes angry at the player’s latest proposal. This news now starts to put the regular season in jeopardy.
In the meantime, MLB says if Spring Training resumes, the schedule will pick up where it’s at in the calendar and teams will not be a shifting schedules for different opponents, dates and split squad games.
Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a press conference last Thursday that they will need about a seven day ramp up period after there is an official agreement and before the first Spring Training games take place.
The regular season is set to begin on March 31. At least for now.
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