Baseball Calendar
From BR Bullpen
Many events during the year happen at the same time each year.
Elections for the Baseball Hall of Fame are held every December with the announcement being made the first Tuesday after January 3. This is to not conflict with the New Year.
In mid-February, the words "pitchers and catchers report" ring in the ears of baseball fans. Pitchers and catchers report to spring training about a week before position players.
No earlier than March 30, the baseball season begins, unless there is a special series. For example, the Cubs and Mets played in Japan in 2000 on March 29, 2000. The Major League Baseball season usually begins, in the United States, on the last Sunday before the first Monday in April. There is one game on Sunday evening then the rest of the teams begin play on the first Monday in April. It is often a day game.
During the second week in July, baseball shuts down from Monday to Wednesday except for the All Star festivities. The game is usually played on Tuesday, unless the game is cancelled because of rain. There is also a news blackout during the All Star Monday and Tuesday. No trades or major news comes from the teams during these days.
The final Sunday in July is reserved for the Baseball Hall of Fame to induct new players.
On July 31, the non-waiver trading deadline, any player can be traded before July 31 at 4 PM Eastern time.
On August 31, players can be traded to a team to be eligible for the postseason of their new team. The player must clear waivers if he is traded after July 31.
Rookies often flood rosters on or about September 1. Two important events happen on September 1. Rosters freeze at midnight, any player on that roster and the disabled list is eligible for postseason play. The roster then expands from 25 to 40 players for the duration of the season.
The regular season usually ends on a Sunday between September 30 and October 6.
On the day Monday after the season ends, any one game playoffs to decide ties in the standings are played.
The Division Series starts on the Tuesday or Wednesday after the season ends.
One week later, each league begins the League Championship Series. Weather permitting the league that begins on Tuesday will play Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The other league will play Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Of course, not all games will be needed as four wins out of seven clinches the series. The home team in game 1 will play games three to five on the road.
Starting no later than October 23, is baseball's Fall Classic, the World Series. The Series begins on a Saturday evening. The schedule is usually as follows: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, if all seven games are needed.
The day following the completion of the World Series is the first day that players can file for free agency.
