Opening Day

[StlSluggers]

Has the first day of baseball been announced yet? If so, when is it?

I need to know because my league's free agent period start date is a certain number of days before opening day.

[Pogotheostrich]

I don't think the schedule is out yet.
Best guess would be March 26 or April 2.

[wrveres]

yes it has ...

some schedules have already been released too ..

Its April 3rd.
There may be a game on April 2nd but I don't remember who it is at the moment

[wrveres]

Through Nov. 10 - Free agent filing period.

Nov. 7-11 - General managers meeting, Indian Wells, Calif.

Nov. 16-17 - Owners meetings, Milwaukee.

Dec. 5-8 - Winter meetings, Dallas.

Dec. 5-9 - Major League Baseball Players Association executive board meeting, Henderson, Nev.

Dec. 7 - Last day for teams to offer salary arbitration to their former players who became free agents.

Dec. 19 - Last day for free agents offered salary arbitration to accept or reject the offers.

Dec. 20 - Last day for teams to offer 2006 contracts to unsigned players.

2006

Jan 5-15 - Salary arbitration filing.

Jan. 18-19 - Owners meetings, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Jan. 8 - Last day until May 1 for free agents who rejected arbitration offers to re-sign with their former teams.

Jan. 18 - Exchange of salary arbitration figures.

Feb. 1-21 - Salary arbitration hearings.

Feb. 16 - Voluntary reporting date for pitchers, catchers and injured players.

Feb. 21 - Voluntary reporting date for other players.

Feb. 28 - Mandatory reporting date.

March 2-11 - Teams may renew contracts of unsigned players.

March 3-20 - World Baseball Classic.

March 15 - Last day to place a player on unconditional release waivers and pay 30 days termination pay instead of 45 days.

March 29 - Last day to request unconditional release waivers on a player without having to pay his full 2005 salary.

April 2 - Opening day. Active rosters reduced to 25 players.

July 11 - All-Star game, Pittsburgh.

July 31 - Last day to trade a player without securing waivers.

Sept. 1 - Active rosters expand to 40 players.

Oct. 3 - Playoffs begin.

Oct. 10 - League championship series begin.

Oct. 21 - World Series begins

[chadlincoln]

Through Nov. 10 - Free agent filing period.

Nov. 7-11 - General managers meeting, Indian Wells, Calif.

Nov. 16-17 - Owners meetings, Milwaukee.

Dec. 5-8 - Winter meetings, Dallas.

Dec. 5-9 - Major League Baseball Players Association executive board meeting, Henderson, Nev.

Dec. 7 - Last day for teams to offer salary arbitration to their former players who became free agents.

Dec. 19 - Last day for free agents offered salary arbitration to accept or reject the offers.

Dec. 20 - Last day for teams to offer 2006 contracts to unsigned players.

2006

Jan 5-15 - Salary arbitration filing.

Jan. 18-19 - Owners meetings, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Jan. 8 - Last day until May 1 for free agents who rejected arbitration offers to re-sign with their former teams.

Jan. 18 - Exchange of salary arbitration figures.

Feb. 1-21 - Salary arbitration hearings.

Feb. 16 - Voluntary reporting date for pitchers, catchers and injured players.

Feb. 21 - Voluntary reporting date for other players.

Feb. 28 - Mandatory reporting date.

March 2-11 - Teams may renew contracts of unsigned players.

March 3-20 - World Baseball Classic.

March 15 - Last day to place a player on unconditional release waivers and pay 30 days termination pay instead of 45 days.

March 29 - Last day to request unconditional release waivers on a player without having to pay his full 2005 salary.

April 2 - Opening day. Active rosters reduced to 25 players.

July 11 - All-Star game, Pittsburgh.

July 31 - Last day to trade a player without securing waivers.

Sept. 1 - Active rosters expand to 40 players.

Oct. 3 - Playoffs begin.

Oct. 10 - League championship series begin.

Oct. 21 - World Series begins

You're missing key information here. There is nowhere on this schedule where the Cubs officially start saying, "at least there is next year." Of all things baseball, that is the most consistent. Get that on the schedule if you want it to be credible. Usually happens around June if that helps.

[StlSluggers]

Thanks for the dates, wr.

Looks like our free agent auction period will start on February 5th. Only 17 weeks to go!