Major Leauge Baseball returns

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This is the baseball diamond before rivals the Washington Nationals and New York Mets took the plate on april 8th. This was the second game of the 2022 season.// Photo courtesy of Madison Kitch

 

by Emma Barton 

After three months of Major League Baseball being shut down, the MLB was ecstatic to announce its return for the 2022 season. On Mar 10, 2022, the association and both the players were able to make a deal. 

The lockout was 99 days, which makes it the second-longest MLB shut down right after the 1994 strike. On Dec. 2nd, 2022, the MLB owners voted to enable a lockout after the 2016 Collective agreement expired. The old agreement entailed employment and financial structure of the game. After fighting for months they were finally able to agree on a new CBA and moved opening day to April 7, 2022. The CBA contains more increased minimum salaries, a universal designated hitter, the widest range draft lottery in a pro sports team, and a new pre-arbitration bonus pool to give recognition to the top youngest players in the league. The only downside to this new contract is that it’s become harder for international players to get visas. 278 players this year come from countries  all over the world. This is a problem because all teams in the league have at least one international player. According to the association, all foreign players should have their visas by opening day. 

“I personally think that the strike was a waste of time,” senior Jordan Metzger said. They should’ve just renewed the contract instead of writing a new one that hurts our foreign players.” 

Spring training for major league teams was originally supposed to start on Feb. 18 but was pushed back to March 12. The first official spring training games started on March 18 and ended on March 29. Teams in the cactus league played in Arizona while teams in the league played games in Florida. 

On April 7, 2022, the MLB officially opened it’s gates for the season. The day couldn’t have gone any smoother. Games since opening day have been a hit. Post-covid, stadiums are seeing more spectators, which makes the friendly competition of baseball  much more engaging . This season is a little bit shorter than a non-covid season. Playoffs for the MLB will start in mid-October, with the way this season is moving along, there should be no more strikes. Baseball fans are beyond pleased to have their season back. 

“Over spring break I was fortunate enough to watch an Angels game! Sophomore Erin Barton said. It was an amazing experience and I loved every minute of it! 

Watching the season play out will definitely be an exciting experience.