Baseball Community reacts as MLB lockout ends

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Baseball fans across the nation rejoiced as the major league lockout officially ended after 99 days. A season that was in doubt when owners closed the league’s doors on Dec. 2 will start on April 7.

The new CBA has brought many new changes to the game and league structure.

The “biggest change is two additional playoff teams,” said ESPN Senior Writer David Schoenfield.

A recent (and unscientific) survey conducted by the site MLB Trade Rumors, found that 47% of fans were in favor of keeping the former 10-team playoff format. While some fans disagree with a few changes, the MLB has adapted some long-awaited changes like the Universal designated hitter, which 62% of fans supported.

Milwaukee sports fans were certainly happy to hear about baseball coming back to the city in April. College student and Milwaukee Brewer fans Garett Mellentine said baseball has an important role in the community.

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“Going to games is just a breath of fresh air as opposed to being locked up for the last year-and-a-half like we were,” said Mellentine. “There’s something special about going to games again, the way the crowd reacts in-person is something you can’t experience on the other side of a screen.”

Josh Freitag is another sports fan that is happy to see baseball return. “It’s a lot of fun going to home games and it’s probably great for the city too,” said Freitag.

Fans weren’t the only ones happy about the return of baseball, players took to social media in excitement. The players and the union tweeted Gifs and videos ramping up the excitement for the season that is rapidly approaching.

And while they were happy to return to work, the players association said in a press release that it did not really win on any “key” objectives but did maintain the strength of the union.

“Our union endured the second-longest work stoppage in its history to achieve significant progress in key areas that will improve not just current players’ rights and benefits, but those of generations to come. Players remained engaged and unified from beginning to end, and in the process reenergized our fraternity.”

American Family Field. Photo: Niko Barrientos

A full 162-season is set to open for the Brewers on April 7 in Chicago.