MLB Considering Midseason Move for World Baseball Classic

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Major League Baseball is considering moving the World Baseball Classic (WBC) to the midseason, rather than its current timing in the spring, in order to make it easier for clubs to allow players to participate. The WBC has set attendance and broadcast viewership records in recent years, and league officials believe a midseason scheduling shift could further boost the tournament's popularity.

Why it matters

Shifting the WBC to the midseason would allow MLB teams to be more willing to release their players for the international competition, as it would be less disruptive to the regular season schedule. This could lead to increased participation from top stars and heighten the tournament's profile.

The details

The WBC is currently held in the spring, right before the start of the MLB regular season. This has led some teams to restrict player participation due to injury concerns and the desire to have their full rosters available for the start of the season. Moving the WBC to the midseason could alleviate these issues and make it easier for the league's biggest names to suit up for their national teams.

• The WBC is currently held every four years, with the next editions scheduled for 2029 and 2030.
• MLB is considering shifting the WBC to the midseason at some point in the future.

What’s next

MLB will need to negotiate any scheduling changes to the WBC with the international baseball governing body and the players' union.