Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Major League Baseball and the Players Association agreed on something.
There is now an agreement in place between the two warring sides for an “enhanced set of health and safety protocols,” the league announced Tuesday, that keeps some of the tweaks that were implemented for the abbreviated 2020 campaign. Whether you loved or (more likely) loathed the changes, some are coming back:
— the seven-inning doubleheaders will be used;
— the modified extra-innings rule in which a runner will start on second will be used;
— the active roster will revert to 26 and expand to 28 in September. There will be no limit on the number of pitchers;
— If a team has an outbreak, it can add players to the active roster without needing to make roster space, so players will not be waived or optioned as a result of COVID-19;
— Teams can carry up to five players on taxi squads during road trips.
Nowhere in the announcement is mention of the designated hitter, which, as of this moment, is not expected to be adopted by the National League for a second season. There is still time for a move that makes sense for both the players and owners, but no deal has been agreed upon.
Also not mentioned is expanded playoffs, which is expected to revert to the five-teams-per-league structure. Last season the two sides agreed on 16, which helped the Giants play 60 meaningful games, though they finished a win away from qualifying. With the powerhouses that are the Dodgers and Padres in their division and the NL East as strong as it is, it’s hard to envision a path for San Francisco to still be relevant in late September barring a last-second postseason change, which is still a possibility.
“We were able to complete a successful and memorable 2020 season due to the efforts and sacrifices made by our players, Club staff and MLB employees to protect one another. The 2021 season will require a redoubling of those efforts as we play a full schedule with increased travel under a non-regionalized format,” MLB said in the statement. “We have built on last year’s productive collaboration between MLB and the Players Association by developing an enhanced safety plan with the consultation of medical experts, infectious disease specialists, and experts from other leagues. We all know the commitment it will take from each of us to keep everyone safe as we get back to playing baseball, and these enhanced protocols will help us do it together.”
The players again are agreeing to radically alter their lives and habits to go forth with a season that will not be delayed. They cannot attend indoor gatherings of 10 or more people; players, coaches and staff on road trips cannot leave the hotel for any reason apart from medical care, outdoor walks/exercise, outdoor dining (if approved), or for other low-risk outdoor activities. There will be no congregating in the hotel that isn’t approved, and the individuals can’t meet with anyone not part of the traveling party “other than being permitted to meet household or family members outdoors.”
On the field, players will not need to wear masks but they must be worn at all team “facilities and in the dugout.” Each team has to appoint a facemask enforcement officer, with fines that will be issued for non-compliance during games and donated to charity.
PCR testing will continue to be used, and players and on-field personnel will be tested at least every other day. Individuals who test positive will have to isolate for at least 10 days.
The rules are in place, and the Giants pitchers and catchers report to Scottsdale on Monday. There is still time for changes to be made, but the baseball season is just about here.