Major League Baseball owners have given their approval to the league’s proposal for the 2020 season according to reports on Monday. This is the first step in a process that could see baseball return by the month of July.
The league’s proposal includes starting the season in early July after a “training” period in June that will take place at team’s home stadiums. As opposed to traditional Spring Training action, only intrasquad scrimmages and training sessions will take place.
The league’s proposal also features an 82-game regular season and an expanded playoff format that will include 14 teams instead of the customary 10 teams.
Teams will only play games against their division rivals and their rivals from the other league that are located in the same geographical region, limiting the need for plane travel.
Other changes in the proposal that will now need to be approved by the MLB Player’s Association before it is pushed forward include a 30-man active roster, a universal designated hitter, and a revenue sharing plan that will split income approximately 50-50 between owners and players.
It’s clear that the 2020 MLB season won’t look anything like any season that has previously taken place, but the owners’ green light to the league’s plan is at least a step in the direction towards the return of the sport.
