Spring training on track, but Ariz. wants delay

Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report in about three weeks to spring training camps in Arizona and Florida, just as they have each February for decades. That is the plan, anyway, and players are sticking to it — even though one state does not want them quite yet.

The mayors or city managers of the eight Arizona spring training communities, and the president of the Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community, signed a letter to Rob Manfred, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, on Monday, asking to delay the start of spring training.

The letter goes on to acknowledge that MLB cannot unilaterally decide to delay spring training, a point the players’ union reiterated in its statement.

“While we, of course, share the goals of a safe spring training and regular season,” the statement read, “MLB has repeatedly assured us that it has instructed its teams to be prepared for an on-time start to spring training and the regular season and we continue to devote all our efforts to making sure that that takes place as safely as possible.”

The players, naturally, are eager to hold a regular 162-game schedule after earning only 37 percent of their 2020 salaries in a 60-game season. Any delay could potentially threaten a schedule that is on track to begin April 1.

A statement from MLB said the league would “continue to consult with public health authorities, medical experts, and the Players Association” on any possible schedule adjustments.