MLB is finally back, as the league and the Players Association finally came to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on Thursday.
That means every team opened the doors of their training camps to welcome players who wanted to report as soon as today.
The lockout lasted almost 100 days, but those dark days are finally in the rearview mirror, and fans could enjoy the first exhibition games around next weekend.
The calendar, however, may not be the same as we all have grown accustomed to.
Teams Will Be Divided In Pods According To Geography
At least that’s what MLB insider Jayson Stark explained.
“I’m hearing from teams in Florida that there will be a new spring training schedule. Teams will be grouped in similar pods to last year, according to geography. So there will be a Tampa pod, Fort Myers pod and South Florida pod. If you have tickets, stay tuned for how that works,” he stated.
I'm hearing from teams in Florida that there will be a new spring training schedule
Teams will be grouped in similar pods to last year, according to geography.
So there will be a Tampa pod, Fort Myers pod and South Florida pod. If you have tickets, stay tuned for how that works
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) March 11, 2022
Fans are still waiting for official information by their teams.
However, as MLB wants to reduce traveling distance as much as possible, the idea of the pods is a positive one and will keep each team playing against clubs with spring training complexes nearby.
The 2022 season is expected to start on April 7, and it will have 162 games.
The original date to begin the regular season was March 31, but the long negotiations resulted in the pushback.
The games lost will be made up at a later date, either on off days or in the form of doubleheaders.
Everything is ready to start enjoying the game we all love, with the added attraction of Free Agency 2.0, expected to start today.
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