MLB 2020 Season: Team Owners Approve Plan To Start Season in July

Major League Baseball (MLB) owners have finalized a plan that may allow the 2020 season to start on the Fourth of July weekend.

The plan has been proposed by commissioner Rob Manfred and will be presented to the MLB players Tuesday (May 12), ESPN reported. The meeting between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) will set the tone for what both the parties expect. MLBPA has to approve and agree upon all the proposed ideas for the season to proceed.

The management has agreed upon an 82-game regular season, down to the traditional 162-game season. Spring training will begin in early to mid-June and the game would resume in July without fans.

CNN reported that league and team leaders gathered Monday for their weekly meeting to discuss plans to get back on the field and the safety and economic conditions that would need to be met for the season.

A March agreement outlined key financial terms on how much the players would be paid given the shortened season following the coronavirus pandemic.

MLB players received a $170M salary in advance under this agreement. In exchange for this advance, the MLBPA agreed not to contest if their salaries for 2020 are withheld should the season be canceled.

Concerns about the league's handling of players' safety and testing would also be discussed on their Tuesday meeting and in the coming days. As the parties continue negotiating, the league will also seek approval from government entities and support from the medical community.

Aside from the 82-game season, other key points of the proposal include expansion of playoff teams from 10 to 14; use of home stadiums that have local and state government approval; a universal designated hitter, and a 30-man roster with a "taxi squad" that would have upward of 50 players available.

MLB will also be taking precautionary measures as the season starts in early July. Travels would be limited and they are looking at the possibility of the teams traveling by bus to nearby cities.

ESPN reported that Commissioner Manfred said he is prepared to move a team to another city to play home games should the local or state government do not permit the use of ballpark.