Fans at Red Sox Open House just want baseball back

Baseball fans flooded JetBlue Park on Saturday for the Red Sox Open House. But due to the ongoing lockout between MLB and its players, the first week of spring training games has been canceled.

Fans are saying they just want baseball back.

Some fans at Saturday’s Red Sox training Open Hosue were excited about a day focused on family and fun. But others were worried about whether they’d hear the crack of a bat this season.

Major League Baseball canceled games through Mar. 4 as the league continues to negotiate with its players’ association during this lockout.

Penny and Rick Raymond are season ticket holders. “We’re pretty upset. You know, it’s gotten to the point now where we are season-ticket holders, and we really just want our money back because this is year three of not being able to really see any games. It’s just tough,” the Raymonds said.

First COVID-19 hit, and contract discussions are now impacting another spring training year.

Bill LeClair is a fan, and he is now concerned about the regular season. “I’m worried. I think we’ll have an actual season. I think they’re going to get it figured out, but I think spring training is going to get cut short, and I think they may have to condense the regular season,” said LeClaire.

The player’s association  responded via social media with a tweet that said, in part, that its members remain “committed to continuing negotiations.”

Statement from the Major League Baseball Players Association: pic.twitter.com/iboIiZqr0O

— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) February 18, 2022

But fans are feeling unheard. “I think the fans are the ones that are suffering. There’s plenty of money to go around. You can see it in the salaries that the teams make. Both sides have issues here. Both sides need to come to a little bit of an agreement, and I haven’t seen enough movement,” LeClaire said.

On the other hand, Robert McCormick basically said it is what it is. “It’s the billionaires versus the millionaires, and they don’t seem like… there’s no sense of urgency,” said McCormick.

Negotiators for the MLB and the MLBPA are set to speak with one another on Monday. Major League Baseball says the meetings will continue every day next week, hoping that the season will still start on time.