Labor-management negotiations, which have been difficult between the Major League Baseball Organization and the Players Association, did not reach an agreement on February 28, which was the initial deadline, and negotiations will continue on March 1.
In the major leagues, the labor-management agreement with the players' association expired in December last year, and all activities related to labor and management have been stopped for three months, which is called "lockout".
The Major League Baseball Organization needed an agreement during February to start the season as usual on March 31, with a final round of negotiations in Florida on the deadline of 28th.
At the venue, the Commissioner of Baseball, a major league baseball player, was seen visiting the players' association room many times, and negotiations continued across dates until 2:30 am on March 1.
According to both parties, they have agreed to increase the number of teams that can play in the playoffs from 10 to 12, but the main issues such as luxury taxes and the minimum salary of the players still do not close the gap. No agreement was reached.
The Major League Baseball Organization initially stated that it would delay the start of the season if it couldn't be agreed in February, reduce the number of games, and not pay players, but progress was made in the negotiations. Therefore, the decision was carried over and negotiations will continue on March 1st.
The deadline for new negotiations is 5 pm EST on March 1st and 7 am on 2nd Japan time.
The players who have no prospect of the opening
Phillies' Harper, who won the National League MVP = Best Player last season, put on his SNS a composite of professional baseball and giant uniforms on February 28, while the season's opening is uncertain due to a prolonged lockout. The photo has been posted.
Harper commented, "Giant, I have time to spare. You know the contact information for my agent, let's talk."
The Yankees Gallo created his own resume and posted it on social media.
In the column showing his skill, he wrote "strikeouts" and so on, and he masochistically expressed that he had the most 213 strikeouts in the major leagues last season.
In American professional sports, the NHL = North American professional ice hockey league remained locked out for about 10 months from 2004 to 2005 due to the rupture of labor-management negotiations.
Nearly 60% of all NHL players play in the European league this season, and the American media wants to play in Asia such as Japan in search of a real battlefield if the season does not start even in the major leagues. I point out the possibility that players will come out.
Those who are waiting for the opening
Fans were seen waiting for the start of the season around the Florida stadium where the negotiations took place.
Of these, 22-year-old Jason Hockberg was set to work as a batboy in a major league baseball team from this spring, but he was worried about when the season would start and was trying to keep an eye on the negotiations every day. , Visiting the stadium.
"Baseball is everything in my life. I'm waiting for the negotiations to end here, hoping to get back baseball sooner," said Hockberg.
Regarding the current situation where the lockout is prolonged and the camp has not started yet, "It is a wonderful memory for children to come to the stadium with their parents to see the camp. I can not do it now, and the impact on children is immeasurable. I was worried that it might lead to a decline in popularity in the future.
Around the stadium, there are female fans who hold a board saying, "If there is no match, there are no fans. There is no money." "I'm really disappointed with the lockout. Open my heart to the Major League Baseball and the players' association. We want you to negotiate in good faith. We need baseball and our fans are waiting for baseball to come back. "