Baseball Returns to Sports Betting Menu But Not MLB Yet

As the COVID19 pandemic drags on towards the end of its third month in the U.S., online sports bettors throughout the nation are still looking for meaningful sports betting opportunities. It looks like the NBA is settling in on its way to reopening and finishing the season. NASCAR is running again and Golf is ready to hit the links. All of that is good news for sports bettor but.....Where is MLB?

MLB owners have already reached an agreement on putting forth an abbreviated season. However, it has to get approval from the players and the player's union where there are concerns. The primary roadblock to getting this deal done for the fans and sports bettors has to do with player salaries. Not much of a surprise there.

While the owners have deep concerns about ponying up too much money with no fans in the stands, the players are trying to justify getting near full salaries with major stars players balking at the thought of not getting full pay. For now, here's a look at several provisions on which the owners have agreed:

1. The season will begin in July with the month of June devoted to "spring" training."

2. The season will consist of 82 games.

3. The playoff will be expanded to include 14 teams with the best records in each league getting a bye.

4. The NL will adopt the Designated Hitter for the first time, making it universal.

5. Games will be geographically arranged to cut down on league travel.

While fans and online sports bettors lie in wait, there is some good news on the baseball front. Professional baseball is being played in Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, and the nation's sportsbooks have every intention of making sure bettors can wager on those events. The windows are also open for betting on MLB Future book lines for the 2020 and 2021 World Series.

In the meantime, player safety is a major concern on the baseball field across the world. To address these issues, MLB has laid out the following protocols for when the season does finally get underway.

1. There will be No high-fives, fist-bumps or hugging

2. There will be No spitting, tobacco or chewing sunflower seeds

3. Only distanced interaction between players and coaches on the base pads.

4. No fraternization between opposing teams.

5. COVID19 testing will be done.

6. No team buses and no showers.