There might be light as the end of the tunnel for the fans who are anxiously awaiting the return of professional sports.
On Tuesday, three unnamed executives told USA Today that Major League Baseball officials are optimistic that the season could start in late June—no later than July 2. The insiders claim that more than 100 games will be placed on the schedule and contests will take place in MLB parks. But, there will still be no spectators in the stands.
The MLB will also limit travel. To do this, executives will temporarily restructure the league. The 30 teams will be split into three divisions based on their region. This would stray away from the American League/National League model as teams would only play clubs that are in their division.
The East Division will consist of the New York Yankees and Mets, Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins.
The West will include the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels, San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners.
The Central Division will be home to the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers.
The details are still being ironed out, but executives are hopeful about this new direction.
"It’s all coming together," one official said. "I’m very optimistic."
Adding to this spirit are officials in major markets like Chicago and New York saying that teams could play in their own ballparks this summer. Prior to this, it was rumored that players would have to spend the whole season in either Florida, Texas, or Arizona—a proposal that superstars like Mike Trout and Clayton Kershaw rejected.
MLB is also hoping that it won't be necessary to quarantine players and that the country steadies itself before the season is set to start. Still, the schedule and playoff format will be different.
"This is going to be a season like we’ve never seen. But that’s fine. It’s at least a season," one executive said.
