Strikeout: Why the Baseball Season Hasn’t Started

Update: the feuding parties have now reached a settlement. Read more at https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2022/03/10/major-league-baseballs-owners-approve-five-year-labor-contract-with-30-0-vote-salvage-162-game-regul/49919457/.

If you are a fan of Major League Baseball, then you’re probably wondering why spring training hasn’t started. The reason for this is that the Major League Baseball Player’s Union (MLBPU) and MLB officials cannot agree on the amount of money to put into each clubs’ Competitive Balance Tax (CBT), or luxury tax. The CBT limits MLB clubs from overspending, and the MLB and MLBPU are split on what the spending limit should be, leading to a strike.

This is the first time in 27 years that games in the regular season have been canceled due to labor strife. In 1994 a similar event occurred, in which MLB officials proposed a salary cap to help balance out the difference between clubs’ revenues. The revenue-sharing plan required the players’ approval, but players protested. In all, 948 games were canceled because of the strike.

The MLB officials proposed $220 million this season and $230 in 2026, but the MLBPU wants a CBT of $238 million this season and $263 million in 2026. MLB told the players that their salary for each missed game, more than 20 million dollars per player on average, would not be paid, but the players are still not backing down.

The earliest that the season will start is April 8, 2022, but if the meetings in Jupiter, Florida keep happening without an agreement, then the season could be delayed further.

Sources

LUKE FANN

Editor-in-Chief at The City Voice | fann-l@students.grps.org

Editor-in-Chief Luke Fann is a junior at City and freelances for Rapid Growth Media's Voices of Youth program. He also attends Michigan State University's MIPA Summer Journalism Workshop, receiving the Sparty Award in Journalistic Storytelling and the Art of Storytelling. Additionally, he recieved an Award of Excellence in the Level Up: Leadership for Media program in 2025 and earned an honorable mention for his piece on AI and LLMs at the 2024 MIPA Spring Awards.

Luke began writing in 7th grade and became an editor by the following year. By his sophomore year, he was Managing Editor and then Editor-in-Chief. As for writing, he focuses on business and technology news, taking a deeper dive into topics rather than focusing solely on breaking news. He also covers personal interests, and his weekly editorials offer unique takes on timely issues.

If you're interested in writing for The City Voice, especially as a middle schooler or Underclassman, reach out to Luke or attend a meeting. Journalism is a great way to express your passions. No matter your background, The City Voice wants to hear your voice.