Major League Baseball is at odds with the players' union over when to start a new season, with the teams wanting a May first pitch when all players can be vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, and the union wanting to begin in April so all salaries will be paid in full, USA Today reported.
"I don't see a snowball's chance in hell that spring training can start with protocols in place," USA Today quoted an unidentified club owner from the National League. "I think there will be significant pressure for players to get the vaccine first before they go to spring training, and if that has to be moved back to April and play 130 games, so be it."
Major League Baseball aborted it season midway through its preseason spring training this past year March 12, and then played an abbreviated 60-game season from July 23 to Oct. 27. Not all teams played 60 games due to outbreaks of novel coronavirus infection, which caused games to be postponed, rescheduled, or canceled.
The first inoculations of the Pfizer vaccine began Monday, but guidelines for its distribution by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have prioritized healthcare workers and vulnerable populations, those most at risk of contracting and suffering the severest symptoms. Widespread distribution is not expected for months.
MLB spring training typically begins in mid-to-late February with the season starting at the end of March or early April.
"I don't see any way spring training starts in February," an unidentified American League club owner said. "Zero chance of that. I don't care if we play 140 games, 120 games, or 80 games, we have to make sure everyone is safe to do this right."
Union officials balked last year as the normal 162-game season was reduced to 37% of its regular duration and players received 33% of their contracted pay. The teams resumed play in July but without spectators, which eliminated money from ticket sales and all other ancillary revenue such as concessions and parking. The only games that had spectators were the National League Championship Series and World Series, which were staged with limited capacity.
Clubs suffered losses of $3 billion, according to Commissioner Bob Manfred.
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