Reds rumors: Games could be played at Great American Ball Park in June

The latest Reds rumors will make many fans throughout Cincinnati happy. A plan for teams to begin the season in June at their home parks is in the works.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, baseball officials have become cautiously optimistic that the season could begin in late-June. Even better news for fans in the Queen City, the latest Reds rumors suggest that Cincinnati may be able to play games at Great American Ball Park, albeit without fans in attendance.

Nightengale cites three baseball executives, speaking on the condition of anonymity, that claim MLB is hopeful to begin the season in late-June or July 2nd at the latest. The hope is to get in at least 100 games. Nightengale also stated that realigned divisions may be part of the 2020 season.

According to Nightengale’s report, Major League Baseball would divide into three 10-team divisions during the upcoming season, abandoning the American and National Leagues. One would assume that a universal designated hitter would be adopted as well.

The idea behind realigning the divisions is to limit travel. The idea is that the Reds would only play the other nine teams within their division. The current proposal floated by Nightengale keeps the majority of Cincinnati’s NL Central rivalries, while also adding all five teams from the AL Central, plus the Atlanta Braves. The Pittsburgh Pirates would be part of the East Division.

This idea is said to be gaining steam, but the situation is very fluid. As all of us are painfully aware, information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic seems to change on a fairly regular basis. That said, according to Nightengale, the proposed plan to realign the divisions for the 2020 season is gaining support from MLB owners and executives.

Hopefully, the latest Reds rumors are true, and not only will fans get to see baseball in 2020, but they’ll get to see baseball in the team’s home stadium. Whether or not fans will be able to attend games later this season remains to be seen.