As the MLB lockout extended into the middle of February, Spring Training began with only Minor League players who weren’t on a 40-man roster permitted to report to camp. It was a unique experience for several Los Angeles Dodgers prospects, who essentially had all of Camelback Ranch to themselves and more one-on-one time with coaches.
Not everything was smooth sailing, however, as Minor League players in the organization were required to pay $40 in clubhouse dues. These are generally used to tip clubhouse attendants and buy supplies for the locker room.
The situation was brought to attention by Advocates for Minor Leaguers, who reported on Twitter that signs had been posted in the Minor League Spring Training clubhouses by the Dodgers and three other teams.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes attributed the issue to a miscommunication and confirmed the organization reimbursed its Minor League players who paid clubhouse dues during Spring Training, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
The Dodgers have reimbursed minor league players who were improperly asked to pay clubhouse dues during spring training, according to general manager Brandon Gomes, after a player advocacy group highlighted the issue in a report last week.
“Their having to pay dues was a message that got lost along the way,” Gomes said. “That was not the intention of anything we were trying to do. We take a great amount of pride in taking care of and making sure our minor leaguers are in a good place. So that was something that was not intentional.”
Advocates for Minor Leaguers was formed in 2020 to promote better working conditions for Minor League players as they earn low wages and are not represented by a union. Later that year, MLB directed teams to stop collecting dues from them.
While Minor League players aren’t paid during Spring Training, Gomes revealed the Dodgers provided housing and three meals per day to their prospects while they trained in Arizona.
Advocacy group for Minor Leaguers calls on MLB to improve housing plan
MLB outlined a plan last November that will provide more than 90% of Minor League players with furnished housing accommodations at each Major League club’s expense for the 2022 season. After reviewing the details of the policy, Advocates for Minor Leaguers determined it fell short of expectations.
“As we move into the 2022 season, we call on Major League Baseball to update its stipend and reimbursement policy and to close these three loopholes,” Advocates for Minor Leaguers said in a statement. “Only by doing so can MLB make good on its commitment to solve the Minor League housing crisis once and for all.
“Absent an amendment to the policy, we intend to publicly identify MLB teams that fail to provide adequate housing accommodations to each of their Minor League players during the 2022 season.”
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