Less than a month before players sign up for Spring Training, the Cactus League in Arizona has submitted a formal request to Commissioner Rob Manfred requesting that the start of Spring Training be delayed due to Covid-19 infection rate in Maricopa County (Twitter link via Brahm Resnick of 12 News in Arizona). The Cactus League itself does not have the authority to postpone the start of Spring Training, but its formal request figures give an answer from the commissioner’s office.
Amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Cactus League has formed a task force to ensure that our ten spring training facilities are prepared to deliver the 2021 spring training season in a way that is safe for all involved, “wrote Bridget Binsbacher, executive director, in a letter co – signed by nine other key members of the Cactus League. ‘We are ready to work with you on the final preparation and results to start the season. … But given the current state of the Maricopa County pandemic – with one of the country’s highest infection rates – we believe it is prudent to delay the start of spring training for the Covid-19 situation to improve here. ”
However, the province’s appeal will not have an effect on the policy unless the players change their position – and that was clear. In response to the letter from the Cactus League, the MLBPA released his own statementand repeat their desire (and insistence) to start on time. “Although we have not received any direct communication, the MLBPA is aware of a letter circulated by the Cactus League Association today,” the letter begins. It further states: “The letter correctly notes that MLB does not have the capacity to make this decision unilaterally.”
In the negotiations on the rules and conditions for the 2021 season, the MLBPA was very strong in their quest to play a full season, which is logistically necessary to plan a spring session regularly among most, if not all scenarios. If there is movement away from the players, owners and the league need to slow down and squeeze out the money players lose through the season. This is perhaps the players’ biggest leverage point, and it’s not one they are willing to compromise on without significant concessions from the league. For what it’s worth, the NHL is currently active in Glendale with fans in the stands, says Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Glendale was one of the cities to sign the letter sent to the league.
There are basically two scenarios that could lead to a delayed spring training. The first would be that the local health crisis would become dire enough for health officials to impose restrictions that conflict with the league’s ability to open camps. Given the already serious situation of the crisis, this is not considered a particularly likely outcome. The other possibility is that the MLB and the MLBPA together decide that delaying the camp is the right way to act.