Baseball fans rejoice!
Major League Baseball (MLB) announced Tuesday evening that the 2020 regular season will begin on July 23 or July 24.
“Major League Baseball is thrilled to announce that the 2020 season is on the horizon," said Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred Jr. in a statement. "We have provided the Players Association with a schedule to play 60 games and are excited to provide our great fans with baseball again soon.”
Pending a review by the Players Association, the 60-game regular schedule season will largely feature divisional play, with the remaining portion of each club’s games against their opposite league’s corresponding geographical division, in an effort to reduce travel.
Health and safety protocols, which will guide MLB’s return to play, have been accepted by the MLB Players Association and players will begin reporting for training by July 1. The vast majority of players are expected to train at ballparks in their home cities.
The start of MLB's regular season was postponed and Spring training was cancelled back in March due to health and safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The health and safety of players and employees will remain MLB’s foremost priorities in its return to play," MLB said in a news release. "MLB is working with a variety of public health experts, infectious disease specialists and technology providers on a comprehensive approach that aims to facilitate a safe return."