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SPORTS Tuesday 26 January 2021

Cactus League asks MLB to delay spring training due to COVID

By JAKE SEINER create a safer playing en- While the league was able
AP Sports Writer vironment, possibly spurred to impose a shortened
The Cactus League and by the availability of vac- 60-game regular season
Arizona community leaders cines. in 2020 per the terms of
have asked Major League The union asked if the post- an agreement with the
Baseball to delay the start season could be moved union signed in March, it
of spring training due to back to make up the 30 or doesn’t have the author-
coronavirus concerns just so missed games, or if the ity to unilaterally adjust the
over three weeks before league would pay play- 2021 season under the cur-
pitchers and catchers are ers for the missed games if rent collective bargaining
supposed to report. they weren’t made up. The agreement.
The Cactus League made league declined, saying it The person also confirmed
the request in a letter to wouldn’t push the postsea- that the union turned down
Baseball Commissioner son deep into November a December offer from the
Rob Manfred obtained by over broadcast concerns league that included a
The Associated Press on A young baseball fan tries to get the attention of players as he and wouldn’t pay players permanent adoption of an
Monday. The letter was co- hopes to get an autograph prior to a spring training baseball for missed games. expanded postseason and
signed by the mayors of game between the Colorado Rockies and the Cincinnati Reds Talks stalled there, and no the universal designated
Mesa, Scottsdale, Surprise, in Scottsdale, Ariz., in this Tuesday, March 10, 2020, file photo. formal proposals about al- hitter — changes instituted
Associated Press
Glendale, Goodyear and tering opening day have temporarily in 2020.
Peoria, as well as represen- Cactus League cited data preseason plans, the spring been exchanged. In the negotiations — first
tatives from Phoenix and in its letter from the Univer- training home in Jupiter, The person spoke to the AP reported by The Athletic
the Salt River Pima-Marico- sity of Washington’s Insti- Florida, shared by the St. on condition of anonymity on Monday — the league
pa Indian Community. tute of Health Metrics and Louis Cardinals and Miami Monday because the dis- also asked for a variety of
MLB said in a statement Evaluation projecting a Marlins announced Mon- cussions were considered on-field changes, includ-
that it “will continue to con- sharp decline in infections day it will begin selling tick- private. ing use of a pitch clock
sult with public health au- by mid-March, down to as ets for spring games begin- “The letter correctly notes and an automated strike
thorities, medical experts, few as 3,072 daily. Spring ning Feb. 1. Roger Dean that MLB does not have the zone in spring training. In
and the Players Associa- camps are set to open the Chevrolet Stadium said ability to unilaterally make exchange, it offered to
tion whether any sched- week of Feb. 15, with the 2021 tickets will be sold in this decision,” the players’ resolve two service-time
ule modifications to the regular season set to start seating pods of two, four association said in a state- grievances from last sea-
announced start of Spring on April 1. or six spaced six feet apart ment. “While we, of course, son in the union’s favor and
Training and the Champi- Despite the roiling case throughout the stadium. share the goals of a safe boost the players’ guar-
onship Season should be numbers, the NHL’s Arizona Any changes to the major spring training and regular anteed postseason share
made in light of the current Coyotes are hosting 3,450 league schedule are sub- season, MLB has repeat- from $50 million last season
COVID-19 environment to fans for home games in ject to agreement with the edly assured us that it has to more than $80 million,
ensure the safety of the Glendale, while the NBA’s players’ association per instructed its teams to be roughly what the players
players, coaches, umpires, Phoenix Suns are playing terms of their collective prepared for an on time got in 2019.
MLB employees and other without fans. High school bargaining agreement. A start to spring training and The union declined the
game day personnel in a sports are also still operat- person familiar with talks the regular season and we proposal because it is op-
sport that plays every day.” ing. The Cactus League between the sides said MLB continue to devote all our posed to expanding the
Arizona is averaging just hosts 15 MLB clubs. asked the union in Novem- efforts to making sure that postseason, fearing it will
under 7,000 new coronavi- In a sign that other teams ber about moving back that takes place as safely disincentivize teams from
rus cases per day, but the are moving forward with opening day a month to as possible.” pursuing free agents.q

Thomas keeps Citi sponsorship with money donated to LGBTQ

By DOUG FERGUSON with Justin to try to create make it clear that it is wrong
AP Golf Writer change.” Thomas, the No. to use this word,” she wrote.
Investment bank Citi de- 3 player in the world whose “Instead, we hope our ef-
cided Monday to keep its 13 victories at age 27 in- forts can lead more peo-
sponsorship of Justin Thom- clude a major champion- ple to make an affirmative
as, condemning the anti- ship, missed a 4-foot par choice not to use this word
gay slur he muttered and putt in the Sentry Tourna- or others like it — and speak
requiring him to donate a ment of Champions at Ka- up when others do — be-
“meaningful portion” of his palua on Jan. 9 when tele- cause they understand the
deal as part of an active vision audio caught him impact it can have, includ-
role in LGBTQ causes. muttering the slur under ing on a friend, colleague
Carla Hassan, the chief his breath. Thomas apolo- or teammates who may be
marketing officer of New gized after the third and struggling with the decision
York-based Citi, an- final rounds. Ralph Lauren to disclose their sexual ori-
nounced the decision in a Corp. ended its sponsorship entation.”
company blog post titled, of him a week later. She said Citi would work Justin Thomas reacts to his shot on the 12th green during a
“When an apology isn’t Hassan said some of her with Thomas to help accel- practice round prior to the Tournament of Champions golf
enough.” colleagues felt anything erate support for the LG- event, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at Kapalua Plantation Course
“We considered terminat- less than cutting ties to BTQ community and to in- in Kapalua, Hawaii.
ing our relationship with Thomas would undermine crease awareness. Terms of Associated Press
him,” she wrote. “It would Citi’s commitment to the his endorsement deal with nated to various organiza- tin is not sincere in working
send a clear and important LGBTQ community and Citi were not disclosed, nor tions as a “meaningful por- toward this goal, we will
message, but we decided that was considered. did the company say how tion” of his sponsorship fee. end our relationship with
to use this moment to work “We want to more than much money would be do- “If at any point we feel Jus- him,” she wrote.q