Since December 2, 2021, Major League Baseball (MLB) has been in a lockout. A lockout, in baseball, is when there is no contact between the players and teams, resulting in a break from any and all baseball until the two parties can come to an agreement. The Major League Baseball Player Association (MLBPA) and the MLB owners need to come to an agreement on a higher base salary, among other issues, in order for the season to begin on schedule. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expired December 12, 2021, resulting in the first MLB lockout since 1995.

As of 2021, minor league baseball players can make at minimum $400-$700 a week, which is at least $300 less than the average American worker according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics says, “…the national average salary in 2020 was $56,310.” The MLBPA is working to raise this minimum as well as the minimum salary for major league players. Another aspect the MLBPA is pushing is a universal designated hitter (DH) so pitchers do not hit, resulting in what they think will be higher quality games. MLB owners don’t think investing more money in players would be viable, stalling negotiations. If the two parties do not come close to an agreement soon, there may be a loss of MLB games and potentially no season.