Reports of a tentative agreement between MLB and the Player’s Association for a short season would be welcome news. To experience the national game, in any form this summer, would give the country a needed lift.

Recognizing the reality of empty stadiums and a gimmicky season that may end prematurely with a second viral wave, the players should be inclined to sign on the dotted line, now that MLB has agreed to full prorated salaries and a playoff pool of 16 teams. The players owe it to the fans who continue to make baseball our pastime, especially those who came of age around 1994.