MLB resumes season with July 1 “spring” training

By Ryan Kanne

After lengthy and public negotiations between the MLB and MLB Player’s Association, the MLBPA, baseball returned on July 1 with a resumed spring training after commissioner Robert Manfred mandated a 60-game season. With the regular season set to return July 23 or 24, a lot will be different from the previous year. From the season’s format, to new rules, and players opting out of the season, the MLB’s shortened season will have no shortage of new interest or outrage.

Under the new mandated season, the MLB revoked a lot of the options given to players in the previously mentioned lengthy negotiations, instead opting to agree to the deal reached on March 26. According the MLB, provisions that “will not be operative” include the following:

Postseason expansion in 2021
Guaranteeing $25 million in playoff pools in 2020
$33 million in foreign salary advances (MLB states this would increase take home pay of 61% of MLB players
Overall earnings for players of 104% prorated salary

Soon after Manfred mandated a 60 game season the important question of, “Who plays who?” was answered. The schedule would have each team play 40 divisional games and 20 games against teams in their opposite league. For example, AL West teams play 20 games against NL West teams.

Along with the format of the season, the return of the season brings with it new rules that have been their own mix of controversial and praised. One of the few positives from the negotiations seem to be the universal DH being in place. Even in May the idea of a designated hitter in both the NL and AL was popular amongst players according to Jon Heyman. With the added benefit of potentially helping to curb injuries to pitchers while hitting, which has been disputed heavily

Regardless of its reception from fans, the universal DH seems to be a rule change popular with players that could stick around. A much more controversial rule has been that beginning in the 10th inning, each team will begin the inning with a runner on second base. This rule has been in place in the minor leagues for the past two seasons.

This rule change is to expedite games under such a short and compact schedule. Baseball purists may not love to see this rule become a reality, especially after Manfred said in 2017 that he didn’t expect the rule to come to the MLB according to NBC Sports. In the end, the rule will likely end games soon after reaching extra innings, which may be better than having players on a shortened schedule play late games.

Some of the other changes include:

Games will be suspended and resumed if weather becomes an issue
Players or managers who leave their position to argue with umpires, come within six feet of an umpire, opposing player, or manager for the purpose of argument, or engage in an altercation on the field will be subject to immediate ejection and discipline, including fine and suspension
Three batter minimum for pitchers
Ban on spitting items or licking of fingers before pitch
Pitchers given a wet rag option to replace licking of fingers

While many fans are excited for the beginning of the new season, a slew of players will not be participating in the resumed season. Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Mike Leake and Washington Nationals teammates Joe Ross and Ryan Zimmerman will all sit out due to the risk of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Colorado Rockies veteran Ian Desmond will also opt out of the season, detailing in an Instagram post about his experience with race within baseball.

The MLB has returned with spring training already underway. This season won’t look like any other, but at the end of the day baseball is returning and with it America’s past time. It seems like half a decade, but it’s finally time to play ball.