On Tuesday, the MLB Players Union rejected the MLB owners’ latest and best offer to end the lockout that started December 1st of last year. The rejection and failure to agree on a new deal will lead to the cancellation of games for the 2022 season, including Opening Day and other games scheduled for April. The canceling of games will mark the second time in the last three years that MLB games scheduled for April were canceled, and despite the negative stigma surrounding the first month of the season, baseball fans need April baseball.
Statement from the Major League Baseball Players Association: pic.twitter.com/rmpciPsQm4
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) March 1, 2022
Games In April Carry More Meaning Than People Realize
Most people believe that MLB Opening Day is the only major event of games in late March or April, but the return of baseball every day means something more to the fans that love the game. With the start of a new season, every team has a chance to provide hope and excitement for their fans, whether a team won over 100 games or won fewer than 60 games the year before. Atlanta Braves fans and Baltimore Orioles fans can share the same level of excitement for their teams through the first few weeks of April, something that won’t exist three months later in July.
One of the main issues MLB baseball has faced over the past decade is growing the sport to a younger audience, especially to kids in grade school. Baseball games in April are vital because of the spring break holiday across the country, which allows the younger generation a week off from school, with baseball games on every day. Since 2020, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the current lockout, MLB has failed to capitalize on the one-week window opened by spring break. Gone will be the chance for grade school kids to tune in to catch a day game that they would likely have missed had they been in school.
Just how real has this become for MLB?!? Check the official team websites for both SF Giants and Athletics, the first two series completely wiped clean. At this moment, the earliest Opening Day could be is April 8th. #MLB pic.twitter.com/eAKvLBW3qM
— Chris Alvarez (@CAlvarezABC7) March 1, 2022
Another reason why no games in April is unfair to baseball fans is because of the alternative it provides to NBA basketball and NHL Hockey. Although the quality of MLB games is not the best during the season’s first month, fans will still watch due to the association of warmer weather and the summer to arrive shortly.
Cancellation and reduction in total regular-season games in 2022 will also limit potential breakout opportunities for unknown players. Every April, there is at least one pitcher or position player who makes the most of an opportunity given to him at the start of the season. Last season for the Chicago White Sox, designated hitter Yermin Mercedes won the American League Rookie of the Month award for April due to a historic performance in the first month of the season.
That's 29 hits in March/April for Yermin Mercedes, the second-highest White Sox rookie total in that time behind Jose Abreu with 31 in 2014.
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) April 25, 2021
April Baseball Is Especially Important To Chicago Fans
From a local standpoint, the loss of April games is extremely disappointing for both Cubs and White Sox fans. Fan bases of both teams make the effort when possible to attend games in cold and damp temperatures at both Wrigley Field and Gauranteed Rate Field. Going to cold weather games in April has become a Chicago tradition as Cubs and White Sox fans are constantly shown bundled up in blankets or sipping hot chocolate during the early-season games at home.
White Sox fans offered free upper deck ticket for future game braving the cold and ice today
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) April 9, 2016
The cancellation of April games is especially unfair to White Sox fans as the team is currently in a middle of a championship window. Chicago’s south side baseball team has made the playoffs the previous two seasons, but a majority of White sox fans were unable to attend games in April of those seasons due to the postponed season in 2020 and the heavy limited-attendance restrictions last season. Many baseball analysts have the White Sox picked as potential World Series contenders in 2022, but fans of the team will be left wondering if a season will ever happen.
No MLB games in April following pandemic restrictions and mandates being lifted will have a negative financial effect on commercial businesses that rely on Chicago baseball. Bars in Wrigleyville have always benefited from the added revenue generated by Cubs games and fan traffic in and around the ballpark before and after games. For bars businesses already financially crippled by the last two years, they will not get the needed revenue they would have had the 2022 season started on time.
This is brutal news. One of my favorite Wrigley bars. Back patio, corner booth, probably sat in that seat 100+ times before and after Cubs games. If there's anything we can do we'll do it. https://t.co/uP7Je083Rp
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) December 28, 2020
The 1994 MLB strike cost fans the end of the 1994 season and that year’s World Series, and they never forgave owners and players. Whenever an agreement is made to allow the 2022 MLB season to begin, baseball games will be played, but the fans might not be there. Ironically, fans would endure cold temperatures and inclement conditions to watch the game they love but won’t attend games in more ideal conditions as their way of paying back MLB for costing them games in April.
