(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio, photo by Matt Drzik)

Usually around this time of year, with the Super Bowl over and winter winding down, many sports fans welcome the arrival of pitchers and catchers to their respective squads in Florida or Arizona.

Instead they are being welcomed with labor standoffs and budget negotiations, and the 2022 Major League Baseball season is in jeopardy of starting later than usual…if it starts at all.

Freelance sportswriter John Perrotto joined Matt Drzik to talk about the current lockout situation on the February 15 edition of A.M. Beaver County, and Perrotto feels that the pride involved with both the players and the owners in this situation could keep baseball from happening for some time.

“I don’t see baseball losing a full season like hockey did a few years back,” Perrotto said, “but I could see this stretching to where the season doesn’t start until Memorial Day weekend. I hope I’m wrong.”

Perrotto did have some hope in the regard that the framework of this year’s negotiations have the sides considerably closer to a deal than during the 1994 lockout; an event that cancelled the 1994 World Series and delayed the start of the 1995 season. He also spoke about how a lockout could effect a team like the Pirates.

“I think the Pirates should be okay…I don’t see them going bankrupt or anything like that,” Perrotto added. “Quite frankly, they weren’t expected to have a very big attendance this year, so they won’t be looking at losing out on as much ticket revenue as some of the better-drawing teams in the major leagues.”

For the FULL interview with John Perrotto, click on the player below.