[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The professional baseball season, which was delayed due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), will start the regular season with no spectators on May 5.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) decided on the opening of the 2020 KBO League season at the 4th board meeting held on the 21st at the KAMCO Yangjae Tower in Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
The number of regular season games will remain at 144 games per team as before, and if confirmed cases occur during the season causing the league to be suspended, they will consider reducing the number of games in stages. The opening will be held without spectators, but depending on the future COVID-19 situation, spectator admission will be gradually allowed.
The All-Star Game, which was scheduled for July, has been canceled, and the postseason Wild Card Series will be shortened from a best-of-five to a best-of-three. In case of rain cancellations during the season, doubleheaders (except in July and August) and Monday games will be held, and considering players' physical burden, no extra innings will be played during doubleheaders and Monday games. Also, for doubleheader games, the roster will be increased by one player, and the expanded roster (5 players) will be implemented earlier starting from the beginning of the two-game series.
The government and quarantine authorities decided on the 19th to extend social distancing until May 5 while easing some guidelines. Outdoor sports such as professional baseball can resume operations under limited conditions if dispersed conditions like no-spectator games can be achieved.
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