Baseball return could include odd changes

NEW YORK — Extra innings that start with runners on second base, games ending in ties and re-entry are among the possibilities for a radically altered 2020 major league baseball season, one limited to a maximum 60 games by teams that claim they can’t afford more due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Major League Baseball included the controversial extra-inning runner rule in its proposal Wednesday for a 60-game season, down from an initial 82, and also wants it for 2021. The players’ association accepted the rule Thursday for 2020 only in its counterproposal for 70 games, down from an initial 114.

The union also said it wants to discuss allowing games to end in ties “after a certain number of innings” and “the relaxation of substitution rules in extra innings.”

Copies of both proposals were obtained by The Associated Press. Some aspects were first reported by USA Today. The runner on second rule has been used in the minor leagues for the last two seasons.

One big on-field change already has been agreed to by both sides if there is a deal: expansion of the designated hitter to games involving National League teams.

But a deal is far from certain.

MLB Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem told union chief negotiator Bruce Meyer on Friday that teams will not make another proposal. Commissioner Rob Manfred has threatened an an even shorter schedule of perhaps 50 games or fewer.

ESPN, citing a source familiar with the situation, said major league players won’t vote on the league’s latest proposal to return to the field until they collect new data regarding testing for COVID-19 after several recent outbreaks at training facilities and in major league cities.

A vote could have taken place Sunday but now could be delayed a day or two. The executive board met Saturday.

MLB shut all 30 training camps in Arizona and Florida for COVID-19 testing after Philadelphia said five players and three others tested positive. Toronto and San Francisco also reported either positive tests or symptoms that could indicate the disease.