Opening day for Major League Baseball was scheduled originally for March 26, but this pandemic thing happened and basically shut down all sports. However, Major League Baseball made another try to start the coronavirus-delayed season in early July, proposing a 76-game regular season, expanding the playoffs from 10 teams to as many as 16 and allowing players to earn about 75% of their prorated salaries. Originally it was slated to start July 4, but looks like a July 10 start date is more likely. Under the proposal, the 2020 regular season would start around July 10 and end on Sept. 27, while the postseason would conclude in late October. The league initially set its sights on returning in time for July 4, but that timeline has been stalled while MLB and the MLBPA have negotiated for weeks to reach a deal on starting the season.

According to MLB online, MLB’s latest proposal would guarantee 50% of players’ prorated salaries over the regular season.

The proposal would eliminate all free-agent compensation for the first time since the free-agent era started in 1976. It also would forgive 20% of the $170 million in salaries already advanced to players during April and May.

While MLB is returning the fate of Minor League Baseball is a bit gloomy amid widespread expectations that the 2020 minor league season will not be played. Minor league baseball is a local small town experience. The food, the beer, and the sound of the game in the park, don’t underestimate the importance of the minor leagues, especially here in Amarillo. The lights in Hodgetown will come back on.

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