Major League Baseball and the MLBPA reportedly came to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement late Wednesday evening, ahead of the midnight Thursday deadline for the old one to expire.
It’s a momentous piece of news for America’s pastime. It also includes some dramatic changes as it relates to luxury tax and free agent draft pick compensation.
Though, one of the biggest pieces of news to come from the reported agreement includes a change in the way home-field advantage is decided for the World Series.
According to the Associated Press, the league that wins the All-Star game will no longer be given home field in the Fall Classic. Instead, that advantage will go to the pennant winning club that boasts the best record.
This is a change from the past 14 years, where the American League captured home-field advantage 11 times due to the fact that its All-Star team won the Midsummer Classic.
The original rule was installed after the 2002 All-Star game ended in a tie. It’s been a major point of contention since.