New York (AFP)
The owners of the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchises have agreed to offer players to start the 2020 season at the beginning of July, behind closed doors, several media reports on Monday.
MLB plans to meet with players' union on Tuesday to start negotiations, with the proposal to play a shortened season of 82 regular season games, roughly half the regular schedule, ESPN and NBC Sports say, and the The Athletic website.
With this plan, the body would become the first major American sports league to return to competition, two months after the coronavirus has shut down the other basketball (NBA), ice hockey (NHL) and football championships ( MLS) in North America.
According to this proposal, players should report to training camps starting in mid-June for about three weeks.
The play-offs would drop from 10 to 14 teams, with two more clubs qualified by conference, national and American, and would end in early November, a little later than usual.
The teams would mainly play against opponents of their own division, which would minimize travel and expenses.
Teams would play in their own stadium, if national and local authorities allow it. Those without permission would play in Florida or Arizona, where most of the containment guidelines against Covid-19 have been relaxed.
Canadian club Toronto Blue Jays would play their home games in Florida.
Proposals related to health issues will also need to be approved by the players. Teams would grow from 26 to 30 players with a reserve group of 20 players available in the event of illness or injury.
© 2020 AFP