Ballpark Digest
The Business of Ballparks and Baseball in Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, Indy, Summer Collegiate and College
After two COVID-19 outbreaks among MLB teams that wreaked havoc on the schedule, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred issued new mitigation protocol rules that include mandatory face coverings in dugouts during games, a reduction in the size of traveling parties and more. (more…)
Yesterday’s schedule releases dominated local headlines, but other developments on the COVID-19 front, including three practice shutdowns and several high-profile players expressing more concerns, are leading many to question whether MLB can pull off a 2020 season. (more…)
The Toronto Blue Jays will open summer camp at Rogers Centre and isolate players at the attached Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel, going directly to the ballpark for workouts. (more…)
We’re still awaiting full details on how MLB plans to address the viewing experience when games resume, but one trend is emerging: Teams are selling fan cutouts for placement within the ballpark. (more…)
After it rejected an MLB plan for a 72-game season with reduced salaries, expanded playoffs, a July 14 season launch and a Sept. 27 end, the players union told MLB to just order a return to work, along the lines of what the pair agreed to in March when the COVID-19 pandemic caused a season shutdown. […]
We have yet another “final” proposal presented to the players association from MLB for a 2020 season calling for 72 games, 80 percent of prorated salaries, expanded playoffs, a July 14 season launch and a Sept. 27 end to the regular season, with an October World Series. (more…)
Well, that didn’t take long: after MLB presented a financial plan for the 2020 season that called for a truncated schedule and deep cuts in star player salaries, the MLBPA rejected it and will reportedly call for more games and no more additional cuts in player salaries. (more…)
The fate of the 2020 MLB season is still up in the air, as MLB officials sent the players association a financial plan for launching play that calls for deep pay cuts for the sport’s highest-paid players. (more…)
The fate of the 2020 MLB season could be decided in the next week, as MLB and MLBPA reps are negotiating player-safety guidelines and could be reviewing financial data presented by baseball owners as early as today. (more…)
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed optimism about an abbreviated 2020 MLB season launching this summer, laying out a proposed testing program and discussing his sport’s financial proposal to players. (more…)
With MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred meeting with MLBPA head Tony Clark to discuss a 2020 MLB season launch, the main topic was player safety in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. What’s really going on: a battle for leverage when negotiating the next collective bargaining agreement. (more…)
Owners approved a plan to launch the MLB 2020 season on the July 4 holiday weekend with teams playing games at home ballparks under heavily supervised circumstances, with the plan expected to be presented to the players union today. (more…)
Officials are expected to present an MLB 2020 season plan to players this week featuring an 80-game season, expanded rosters and competition in home ballparks if owners approve on Monday, according to several sources with knowledge of the plan. (more…)