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A16 sports
Wednesday 3 February 2021

MLB to start on time after players reject delay

By RONALD BLUM cussed the owners’ propos-
AP Baseball Writer al throughout the weekend
NEW YORK (AP) — Major and today,” the union said
League Baseball will pro- then in its public statement.
ceed with an on-time start “The clear-cut result of
to spring training and the these deliberations is that
season after players reject- players will not accept
ed a plan Monday night to MLB’s proposal, will instead
delay reporting by a more continue preparations
than a month. for an on-time start to the
“In light of the MLBPA’s re- 2021 season, and will ac-
jection of our proposal, cept MLB’s commitment to
and their refusal to counter again direct its clubs to pre-
our revised offer this after- pare for an on-time start.
noon, we are moving for- Baseball’s collective bar-
ward and instructing our gaining agreement, which
clubs to report for an on- expires next Dec. 1, calls for
time start to spring training voluntary reporting dates
and the championship sea- of Feb. 17 for pitchers,
son, subject to reaching an catchers and injured play-
agreement on health and ers, and Feb. 22 for others.
safety protocols,” MLB said The mandatory reporting
in a statement. date, which few players
“We were able to complete In this July 24, 2020, file photo, empty seats are viewed in Busch Stadium as St. Louis Cardinals stick to, is Feb. 27.While
a 2020 season through Her- starting pitcher Jack Flaherty throws in the first inning baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates MLB’s proposal said players
in St. Louis.
culean efforts and sacri- Associated Press would have received 100%
fices made by our players, of pay if all 154 scheduled
club staff and MLB staff to allowed to be scheduled on Monday to inform him on Monday and said MLB games were played, the
protect one another,” MLB up to 12 split doublehead- the proposal had been re- would agree to withdraw plan would have given
said. “We will do so again, ers. Experimental rules for jected, two people familiar that part of the proposal Manfred the right to stop
together, as we work to- seven-inning doublehead- with the negotiations told but that each side would spring training, the regular
wards playing another safe ers and beginning extra in- The Associated Press. retain whatever rights it has season or the postseason
and entertaining season in nings with a runner on sec- The people spoke on con- under the labor and player if government restrictions
2021.” ond base would have con- dition of anonymity be- contracts, the person said. prevented five or more
MLB proposed to the play- tinued for a second season. cause that detail was not Meyer responded Monday teams from playing home
ers’ association on Friday As part of the offer, MLB announced. night that the union will not games even without fans, if
that the start of spring train- included the expansion of Halem then asked Meyer to make any more proposals, government rules restricted
ing be pushed back from the playoffs from 10 teams make a counteroffer, and that the union did not be- travel in the United States,
Feb. 17 to March 22, that to 14 and extending the Meyer sent an email ask- lieve MLB’s plan was de- if Manfred determined af-
opening day be delayed designated hitter to the ing MLB to guarantee sal- signed to protect health ter consultation with medi-
from April 1 to April 28 and National League for the ary and service time in the and safety, and that play- cal experts and the union
that each team’s schedule second straight season, a event of an interruption, ers expect MLB to tell teams there is an unreasonable
be cut from 162 games to plan the union rejected one of the people said. that it intends to start spring safety risk to players or staff,
154. MLB believed the virus Jan. 6. MLB’s proposal Friday in- training and the season on or if the number of regular
situation would improve Bruce Meyer, the union’s cluded expanded rights for time, the person said. major leaguers unavail-
during the month delay. director of collective bar- Commissioner Rob Man- “The MLBPA executive able because of COVID-19
Under the proposal, each gaining, called deputy fred to interrupt the season. board and player lead- undermined competitive
team would have been commissioner Dan Halem Halem responded to Meyer ership reviewed and dis- integrity.q

Chipper Jones assumes new role as

Braves hitting consultant

returning to the Atlanta He previously worked with hitter to hit at least .300 for
Braves in a part-time ca- the Braves as a special as- his career with 400 or more
pacity as a hitting consul- sistant to baseball opera- homers.
tant. tions. He also has worked Manager Brian Snitker’s
The 48-year-old Jones as a broadcaster for ESPN. coaching staff includ-
played his full 19-year ca- Jones hit .303 during his ing hitting coach Kevin
reer with the Braves. He career and led the league Seitzer and assistant hitting
was elected to the Hall of with his .363 mark in 2008. coaches Jose Castro and
Fame in 2018, his first year An eight-time All-Star and Bobby Magallanes. Jones
of eligibility. the 1999 NL MVP, Jones will be with the team for
Chipper Jones, former Atlanta Braves player and Hall of The new role announced holds most Atlanta fran- at least some portion of
Famer, speaks during “A Celebration of Henry Louis Aaron,” a by the Braves on Monday chise hitting records. He spring training.
memorial service celebrating the life and enduring legacy of gives Jones his best oppor- hit 468 home runs and The Braves’ pitchers and
the late Hall of Famer and American icon, on Tuesday, Jan. 26,
2021, at Truist Park in Atlanta. tunity for an on-field role, if drove in 1,623 runs. Among catchers are scheduled to
Associated Press only in a part-time capac- switch-hitters, only Eddie report to spring training on
ity, since his retirement fol- Murray has more RBIs. Feb. 17, followed by posi-
ATLANTA (AP) — Hall of Famer Chipper Jones is lowing the 2012 season. Jones is the only switch- tion players on Feb. 22.q